An Ode to the Democrat's General

[Tom Rinaldo]

John Kerry is our nominee, and he proved last night that he is a great one. He projected strength and compassion, steely resolve and an open mind. John Kerry can lead our ticket to victory in the Fall, and with him Democrats will compete, and compete strongly in ways and places Republicans thought were reserved for them alone.

But Wes Clark has already influenced the Democratic Party far more than I had any right to believe he could, short of becoming our nominee for President. Clark declaring as a Democrat and running the type of campaign that he did was a historic moment for the Democratic Party. He changed the field of political combat and realigned perceptions about the most fundamental issues of War and Peace, and being an American. So skillfully had the Republican Party poisoned the well of public debate that many of us with Democratic sensibilities and allegiances had come to almost associate the concept of Patriotism with Demagoguery, and the American Flag with Profit driven Imperialism and domestic intolerance. Our Armed Forces were distrusted by many of us who are left of center, viewed more as a sword thrust forward to hurt than a shield uplifted to protect.

That is exactly what the Republican Right wanted us to think, and they reveled in our alienation from the symbols and institutions that define our nation to much of our citizenry. It helped the Right win elections and consolidate their power, making us angrier, more shrill, and further marginalized. Wesley Clark was a splash of cold water to wake us from a fevered state. We aren't fighting America, we are America. We aren't subverting America's values, we are defending them from attack.

There is no prominent military in the world intrinsically more noble than the United State's Armed Forces, its enlightened roots date back to the American Revolution, with citizen soldiers fighting for Liberty, and a Commander in Chief who turned in his commission upon victory and voluntarily retreated to civilian status when he could have been King. Our troops in the past have been ordered to do great things, like liberating Europe from sub human Nazi tyranny, and they have been ordered to commit atrocities, like the wars against the Lakota, a Native sovereign people with full treaty rights. As an institution our military does not choose it's fights, and we would want it no other way. They do not initiate combat unless ordered to by the civilian chain of command, and they cease combat when civilian leadership so ordains. They have the guns, yet they instantly relinquish any conquered land, any spoils of war, without hesitation, upon the word of their Democratically elected Commander in Chief. If we have issues with our military, it is not with the men and women of our Armed Forces, who are poised to risk their lives to protect ours. Our issues are with misguided and political civilian leadership.

But over the years since the Viet Nam war, we have allowed many of those who served our Nation in uniform to believe that our quarrels were with them, and with their chosen calling. That was not our intent, but that was the Republican Party's intent, and it helped skew the political map Red. Enter Wesley Clark, and now Admirals and Generals stand proudly at the front of a National Democratic Party Convention, and they receive a hero's welcome from Peace loving delegates. Nothing is ever just one man's doing, but no man has done more to bring about this transformation of perceptions, on both sides of deep conceptional divides, than General Wesley Clark. Years hence 2004 may be seen as a critical turning point for the Democratic Party, and John Kerry will rightfully receive much credit for it, but Wesley Clark is an Alchemist who transformed leaden misconceptions into electoral Gold.

American Legion Halls will never again be seen, by activists like myself, as foreign territory. I Thank you Wes, for reconciling this old anti war protester with my brothers and sisters in arms.

[WI_DEM]

1. Wes is a good man

but I think Kerry deserves much of the credit you give Wes Clark. Gen. Clark wasn't really in the race long enough and didn't do well enough to influence it. He certainly deserves some credit for running and making Bush's conduct of foreign policy a top issue of his campaign, but Kerry who has strong foreign policy credentials of his own--as well as a decorated record from the military--did much more, imo, to change the perceptions of many people in the country regarding the democrats being "weak on defense" or somehow not on the veterans side. Many of the generals and admirals who are with Kerry now on the podium were with him when he first got into the race. Kerry as much as anybody reached out to veterans and reminded them that he was one of them and the Democratic party is not their enemy. Wes Clark also contributed to this as well by his presence but not nearly as much as John Kerry.

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. I am walking a fine line here

I do not dismiss or minimize John Kerry's role. And of course there is subjective reality at play, so we can easily agree that both men make significant contributions in this area, while seeing details somewhat differently.

I tuned in fairly early to Clark, and at the time, my perceptions were that Kerry was playing up his experience as a serious and distinguished United States Senator more so than he was his military career, though both were always noted. The public fascination with an "Anti War General", when Clark declared, altered the tone of discourse. Neither man sensationalized their service in Viet Nam, but the fact that Clark stayed in the Army for decades after returning wounded from that War highlighted his service there. Clark began gaining ground on Kerry in NH, and in my opinion, Kerry moved to further highlight his own war record at that time. I may be wrong about some of this, I concede. Still, the Democratic Party has known leaders with distinguished youthful war records before, even in recent years. Having a former NATO Supreme Commander running as a Democrat was a very meaningful novelty.

Clark was not simply a veteran, or even a highly decorated veteran. Clark was a career military man who had recently served at the highest levels of our Armed Forces. Michael Moore would not have been shocked to have a Ted Kennedy defend his right to dissent on national TV during the Iraq invasion, but he sat back and took notice when it was General Wesley Clark who did so.

And part of my comments in the opening thread were personal. I have always honored John Kerry, but I always thought of him as a leader of Viet Nam Vets Against the War, and that was the capacity I honored Kerry in, not for being a naval hero in Viet Nam. Kerry represented a cultural divide for me more so than he bridged it. Speaking for myself, it took a Civil Liberties loving, diplomacy advocating, career military leader to heal the rupture I underwent as a youth.

[doctorbombeigh]

12. Clark's a good guy, but no retail pol, sad to say.

However, I agree that he had the military credentials and put some muscle behind both Dean and Kerry. In fact, he gave some credibility to all Democrats and to criticism regarding this war.

Apparently Clark's weakness was on the trail. Pressing the flesh, begging for donations, chatting domestic policy with Jim and Jane, and so on. Nothing against him, it's an awful business and it's really not something the Supreme Allied Commander does a lot.

Still - good "big hall" speech at the convention. Very good. I think he has a serious future with the Democrats.

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. Your comments are welcome by me

I won't divert the focus here by further debating how Clark was on the campaign trail. So many, including myself, have done that before. However good he was or wasn't, he is still getting better. Clark is known to be a fast learner. I prefer this thread remaining an appreciation of who Clark is, what he has accomplished, and the implications that has for the future of our Party. And that is what you primarilly addressed, so Thank You.

OK, but I just have to say this one thing. Clark was great at pressing the flesh and chatting domestic policy with Jane and Jim. When he was at those smaller events, the pancake breakfasts and town meetings in New Hampshire, Clark lit up interacting with regular people, and always lingered with them. And Clark answered their individual questions, on any and all topics, with both depth and genuine respect, by striving to give real non-evasive replies. Clark enjoys people, it's fully evident when you are in his physical presence (I was several times). And they enjoy him.

[Trajan]

2. Even considering the factious nature of the Democratic Party

I appreciate your commentary, and consider it a good sign ...

I think it was Jim Lehrer on PBS who last night implied that with Kerry: an Anti-Vietnam war soldier who now vies for the CIC ... We have come full circle: with the demons of the past finally put to bed by a Kerry candidacy.

Wes Clark was superb. He reminded us who's flag that is .... He reminded us that security and honest patriotism are grand DEMOCRATIC PARTY traditions ...

It's time to lay down the gauntlet to the GOP: their leadership is a disaster, they have led our soldiers, our sons and daughters, astray in the field ...

It IS time for them to GO ! ...

[lukasahero]

4. General Wesley Clark

brought this peace-nik, tree-hugging, neo-pagan anti-war flower child on board to his campaign. He brought me actively into politics and gave me hope and the belief that my voice, my vote mattered and I could make a difference. Wesley Clark made me respect the process and believe in our democracy again.

I began supporting John Kerry because I trusted Wesley Clark's judgement and that's what he asked me to do. I was an ABB before Wesley Clark got on board. Now I am absolutely and strongly for John Kerry. Kerry did that with his speech last night, but Wesley Clark brought me to it. I know there are many others for whom he has done the same. Thank you General Clark.

[Justice]

5. Tom, that was beautiful.

I thought to myself last night that truly Wesley Clark really need only a few more months to master the "political" format. I will say only that no one talked about his speaking Thursday night, yet last night and this morning, many news outlets were talking about the crowds reaction to his speech. He got alot of attention, as he should.

I took heart in his speech, the eloquent moment of silence, and in Carville's introduction of Clark at the Veteran's lunch on Monday - saying Clark would play a big role in Kerry's administration.

I saw Clark on Tuesday, told him how I went to Dover NH to see him last August on his first trip there, campaigned for him in NH and that "all of his supporters" were so delighted that he was speaking on Thursday night. He said, "ohh, ahh," when I mentioned Dover, but in an humble shy way - not "in a what could have been way"

He then beamed about speaking and participating in the convention and said he was "thrilled" to speak and participate.

He will continue to play a role, he has found his true calling, to speak on behalf of veterans, our troops and our foreign policy. He could and will do that and more.

[dae]

6. A man of such vision and compassion... very nice Tom, thanks.

[sundancekid]

7. strength and reverence ... Gen. Clark got me involved for the 1st time too

... and his contribution to the political process has elevated the discourse and dispelled the politics of fear-mongering ...

Gen. Clark STILL rocks!

[Jai4WKC08]

8. Damn

That was beautiful, Tom.

I salute you, my "old anti-war protester" brother.

[dogman]

9. He has inspired me.

I am a Viet Nam Vet who was not very excited abot our chances to defeat Bush until I saw the possibility that Wes would run. I am now on my county party executive board. I would have voted ABB and obviously will. Wes Clark made me more proud to be an American than I have been since the assasination of JFK. I hold Kerry in high regard and I feel as you do that Wes's entry in the race helped Kerry reclaim his pride in his service. Clark said when he dropped out that he had supported Kerry to begin with and decided to enter the race because Kery had faltered. He said that is why it was an easy transition to drop out and support Kerry. He has done his best because he is a true patriot.

[juajen]

10. AMEN, AMEN and AMEN

Thank you so much for this post. What we Clarkies feel for the General is hard to define. In him we see our love of country and the brave person we hope to be when bravery is needed and we see so much compassion and love for his fellow man. He's like a yardstick we all measure ourselves by; and even though we are lacking, we know looking to him, that this is an achievable state, because he is IT. Our hopes for him are simple. We want him to be happy in continued service to our country, if that is what he wishes. If he does not wish, we owe him our gratitude forever for his brave contribution to this country when it was and is sorely needed. I know he would hate this, but in my mind I call him God's General. What wonderful people he and Gert are!! Thank you so much General and Mrs. Wesley Clark.

[Kat45]

11. Thank you for that post.

I had never thought about Clark's impact in quite that way, and I think you're right--that is an important aspect of Clark's contribution. I hadn't been excited by any of the candidates until Clark stepped forward; he is the first candidate I've been that excited about in years and because of him, I got myself involved in this campaign. Yes, I'm backing Kerry now, and he gave a speech last night that I never knew he was capable of. And I hope Wes does have a role in his administration, whether in the cabinet or in a special position to oversee the Iraq situation and bring it to a conclusion the right way.

I had the pleasure of shaking his hand on TV when he was on Hardball Monday night. He was standing near me while waiting to go on, and I told him I had volunteered for his campaign when he was running. He said thank you. Then I told him that he had gotten me excited about politics for the first time in years. He commented that it's good for people to get involved and said the John Kerry is a good candidate for president, he is the right one (or something to that effect, taking the attention off of himself and shifting it to Kerry). He is a man with class.

[Leilani]

14. Wonderful post, as usual, Tom!

My biggest reward, in terms of being a Clark supporter, was hearing the rave reviews he received from the talking heads. Granted, too little, too late, but there was widespread acclaim for him on PBS, Washington Week in Review, MSNBC, etc, etc.

John Kerry successfully won the nomination, with part of the package as a Vietnam Vet. But he borrowed a lot from the Clark campaign, & it showed last night in his acceptance speech.

Has anyone noticed Kerry s opening line of reporting for duty? Remember when Wes endorsed Kerry? He asked for permission to come aboard, & said: reporting for duty. The flag references were straight from the Clark campaign also.

Anyway, as Clarkies, we realize how much Clark contributed, & you have very eloquently made the larger case, of what he did for the Democratic Party.

[NV1962]

15. Terriffic, Tom - can I put (copy) that on my Clark corner?

That's an awesome tribute, Tom. And wonderfully expressed, too.

They've exactly captured my sentiments.

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. Of course. No one need ask, and Thank You. n/t

[Lefta Dissenter]

16. Unbelievable, Tom

That was simply a perfect post. Thank you so much for that.

Like so many other Draft Clark supporters, I grew up with an anti-war background, and was truly shocked to find myself backing a General for the Presidency. But there was no other candidate who brought the brilliance, experience, wisdom, strength, class and compassion to the race in such a compelling way.

Those who claim that he couldn't campaign never saw the town hall meetings, or the rallies, and never saw him in person. That's one reason we were all bawling our eyes out on Thursday night, of course... others were finally allowing themselves to see what we've seen all along - and we weep for what might have been.

But I am also grateful for his immediate and unwavering support for John Kerry. That is what has helped me to make my own transition to supporting Kerry. Rather than closing my heart to Kerry, as I might have done, I made a concerted effort to learn about Kerry, join with Kerry supporters, and by the time Kerry delivered his speech on Thursday, I was ready to stand up and cheer with the rest of the Democrats across the country.

Thank you, Wes Clark, for reminding us that we ALL have the right and responsibility to defend our country, our flag and our constitution, and for teaching us that we can and should demand a Higher Standard of Leadership.

[DeepModem Mom]

17. I've no words except "thank you" for writing this, TR n/t

[BootinUp]

19. Very nice tribute

I also believe that Clark had a strong influence on the 2004 race. And I hope it is a lasting influence, that is why I continue to support Clark through his WesPAC. Its no coincidence that Kerry adapted many of Clark's best lines into his acceptance speech. Without a doubt, Clark really helped set the tone for the Democratic Party on National Security and foreign policy.

A toast to a great candidate and to you Tom for putting that so eloquently. :toast: