it just hit me why the vp might be Wes Clark...

[carpe diem]

who better to introduce him on Wed. night than the President he served under as NATO ALLIED COMMANDER during the Bosnian war...and with ongoing issues in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and now Russia and Georgia, a 4 star General who has actually WON a war in recent memory will help a President Obama deal with a military that might not be entirely helpful to the new young upstart CIC, and NATO diplomacy will be crucial with the current Russian/Georgia conflict...just a hunch, but it would make sense with Bill speaking Wednesday night ahead of then VP spot...

[Triana]

1. I've sort of been hoping it might be Clark. n/t

[thenext8seconds]

4. Same here. n/t

[Dinger]

48. It's Been A Little Stronger For Me (nt)

[Clark2008]

61. Me, too, Dinger. Me, too.

[NancyG]

64. Yes. Please. Please. nt

[Alexander]

2. The MSM would go after him on his McCain quote.

Obama publicly disagreed with Clark on this one.

The MSM could have a field day with his quote if the campaign didn't play their cards exactly right.

I see how and why Obama could and should pick Clark, but given that quote, I think he might be too risky at this point.

No doubt Obama wants to be above attacking McCain's POW status, which an Obama/Clark ticket would complicate.

I would be happy to be wrong on this guess. Clark would make a fine VP.

[carpe diem]

3. no such thing as a risk free vp choice...

there's something wrong with everybody, but what's right with Clark far outweighs what's wrong with him...

[Alexander]

6. But there is such a thing as "unnecessary risk".

For example, Obama would never choose John Edwards. That would be a tremendously unnecessary risk.

Obama probably won't choose Hillary Clinton, because her IWR vote, comments about experience and the Tuzla videos are unnecessary risks.

Obama may take the risk with Clark, who knows. It's my impression that he wants to avoid even the appearance of "going there" on McCain's POW status. Clark would be tremendously risky on that issue.

There are risks with everyone, but some possible VPs have more risk than others. I think the only relatively risk-free VPs are Feingold and maybe Sebelius.

In any event, we'll probably know by the end of the week.

[cliffordu]

47. He never did "go there". He repeated and agreed with a leading question.

That's the real news about this is the MSM NEVER played the original question in all the "news" reports after the actual interview.

[thenext8seconds]

11. Agreed. n/t

[Dinger]

43. Good Point (nt)

[thenext8seconds]

5. Obama never publicly disagreed with him.

All he said was that the comment was "inartful", and basically that the American people are worried about more pressing issues than the non-controversy of what it was that Clark said.

[Alexander]

7. Yes, he did.

"As he's said many times before, Senator Obama honors and respects Senator McCain's service, and of course he rejects yesterday's statement by General Clark," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said in a statement.

Are you suggesting Obama doesn't control his spokespeople? That his campaign is being run with the same ineptitude as McCain's?

[chill_wind]

8. Which was an unfortunate mistake on Obama's part, IMO

I love Obama. But I was very sorry to see him burn that bridge.

[tbyg52]

34. Same here.

I hadn't realized until recently that Clark was suckered into that comment. But I agree with it anyway!

(I was about to say I don't disagree with it, but that's too weak. I actively agree with it, and do not think it was a slur on the military in any way, shape, or form!)

Shieffer - " I have to say Barack Obama has not had any of those experiences either nor has he ridden in a fighter plane and gotten shot down".

Clark - "Well, I don't think that riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president".

EXACTLY!

[Dinger]

44. boob shieffer Had A Stick Up His Ass About Clark, That Was Obvious (nt)

[chill_wind]

49. Exactly. Which is why I think the pointed distancing manuever was a bit absurd. n/t

[karynnj]

35. "burn that bridge" goes way too far

He used the same phrase he used for himself - the comment was "inartful". A wonderful word as it conveys the sense of just having used the wrong words. You would never reject a person just for not saying something as well as could be done if you feel there judgment generally good. I have no idea what their relationship is - but that event will be overcome.

The biggest negative of it is that it feeds the meme that Clark is a novice as a politician and that he does make these mistakes. There are worse negatives to have.

[JoFerret]

38. If he burned a bridge then shame

But I don't think he did.
He is a cautious politician and just created distance.

Of course all Clark did was make the mistake of speaking the truth.

I think he would make a fine VP although his political inexperience will mean he is prone to slips.

[thenext8seconds]

10. Well okay, whatever, you got me on that.

But come on, that was just political posturing for the moment.

It still doesn't mean that Obama threw him under the bus. Like the poster above said, it was more of a mistake on the Obama's campaign. I mean really, so was the Obama campaign basically saying that being shot down in a plane IS a requirement to be President? no.

Besides, given the benefit of the doubt, I don't care how loud the McCain campaign and all the right-wing pundits will try to crucify Clark for his remark.....Just because Obama supposedly rejected that statement, it in no way means that Clark would be a risky choice. Think about how much differences in opinion there are between McCain and Romney....and yet people are saying Romney would be the best bet. psh.

[Alexander]

20. I know why Obama disagreed with him, but that doesn't change the fact that he disagreed.

If Obama picked Clark, the MSM would have a field day, running video of young John McCain 700 times a day asking "Why do you hate our veterans?"

It doesn't matter that Clark outranks McCain or that he also served in Vietnam.

The MSM doesn't care. They will continue to lie anyway.

Obama has been smart not to "go there" with respect to McCain's service.

Clark was also smart to attack him - separately from Obama, so Obama didn't get damaged.

There's a slim possibility it could work. I'll grant you that, and I'd be happy with Clark.

But if it doesn't, Obama/Clark will backfire in a huge way.

The MSM and Republicans will keep yelling how Obama hates veterans until people start to believe it.

The risk is simply not worth it, IMHO.

Feingold is safer unless he has some skeletons with regard to his two divorces. I don't think he does, but I never thought Edwards did either.

No matter what, I hope Obama has the best vetting team in the world. He's going to need it.

[earthlover]

28. So isn't Clark a veteran? How could his nomination mean hating veterans?

[Virginia Dare]

54. Obama needs a V.P. who is willing to play bad cop..

I'd love to see Clark in that role.

[depakid]

17. The corporate media would go after ANYONE for ANYTHING

and it's high time someone stood up to their constant bullying and handed the pundits their asses to them.

THAT would gain a lot of populist mileage, while shaping a perception of strenght- as opposed ot the usual Dem wimpiness in the process.

[Dinger]

42. Exactly (nt)

[Virginia Dare]

55. WELL SAID!!!...n/t

[polichick]

22. Obama distanced himself without mentioning Clark's name...

Could've been a bad cop, good cop thing. All McCain has is his POW status ~ which, as Clark correctly pointed out, does NOT equal executive experience. If the msm went after him, more light could be shed on the way McCain uses his status as a free pass.

[alwysdrunk]

24. So What?

One freaking quote that wasn't really all that bad? Most voter know nothing about it, and if he is running against the guy it will seem more like fair play.

No matter what the MSM does they can't take the word GENERAL from in from of his name. In all honestly that is one of the main reasons I want him. A huge portion of these "experience" and "more risky" undecideds will lock right in because of that one word.

[eshfemme]

25. Clark is the reason why I just had one more reason to hate the MSM.

For people who were so vigorously defending an "American hero" they sure were very eager to try to swiftboat an actual "American hero" like Wesley Clark. I think he would make a kickass VP just because he shares Obama's trait in telling it like it is. Obama has his hands tied in the stuff he can say though just because everyone's so overly sensitive and the Republicans are extra eager to pounce on anything he says. But the VP shouldn't have any qualms about calling BS and Clark does that all the time.

[mzmolly]

45. That could work for us though. I don't mind hearing that McCain isn't qualified.

:evilgrin:

[thenext8seconds]

9. I honestly don't think there was anything wrong

with Clark saying that being shot down in a plane doesn't qualify you to be President taken in the context of the comment he was replying to... I was actually kind of proud that he stood up and just called Schieffer on what he was trying to allude to. I think he has been largely very quiet since that because of the Conservative talk-show puppets going crazy with that which kinda points to the possibility of Obama having already all but decided on him for VP. I mean you guys might say, he lost his VP chances with that comment, but I think that is exactly why they've just kept him quiet since then. To let some of those ashes cool down. Like Obama said, it was an inartful comment given how he technically should have known the ring-wingers would turn it around and imply that Clark was attacking his service to his country - which was bs.

But I think the fact that he was trying to help be an attack dog on Obama's behalf is what initially led me to believe he was being seriously vetted for VP. I mean yeah, they can bring up the comment all they want, but it's pretty obvious that Clark wasn't like really going after his record or trying to diminish the importance of McCain's service. What he said is what he said. It was just a little too straightfoward for the rethuglicans. They don't like when the Dems are raw like that.

And as for the fact of he's risky because he made that one comment, come on, every single candidate in the obama veepstakes will have their risks, their pros and cons, and everyone here on this forum will make a big deal about the possible cons for any name that gets brought up. I've already seen it on this board plenty of times.

[progressive_realist]

12. There is nobody better suited for the job IMO. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

13. You're, just now, figuring this out? Welcome to the real world! nt

[briv1016]

14. He's been number one on my short list since the VP discussion started.

[endthewar]

15. MSM has McCain's POW stock footage and they're just dying for an excuse to use it

Clark is still currently my 2nd favorite for V.P. (after Sebelius) though. He was definitely treated unfairly by the MSM. It's like they're all sharing the same brain that doesn't work.

[thenext8seconds]

16. well said. n/t

[depakid]

18. Let them. It plays right into democratic hands

by repeating that frame over and over, it calls McCain's competence into question.

[endthewar]

19. Sorry, but I don't see it that way

It was very successful in generating sympathy for McCain and the MSM refuses to have an honest debate about McCain's military service. The only acceptable talking point, even by the Democratic strategists on TV, is that McCain is a war hero, end of conversation.

[depakid]

21. That's because you've never read George Lakoff

and so, like the ever successful beltway consultants, you're easily conned into playing their game- instead of changing the rules and advancing our own narratives.

Ask youself- if what you're saying is true -as in- it reflects the reality of how people actually percieve things then the swiftboat ads should have backfired- shouldn't they?

[endthewar]

29. "It plays right into democratic hands"

That is the part of your statement I disagree with. Clark is still one of my favorites for the V.P. position and I would be ecstatic if Obama chose him. However, I think you're being naive if you think that Clark's comment about McCain "plays right into democratic hands." I think it's something that represents a potential pitfall, but at the same time it's easy to prepare for because you know what the MSM reaction will be. All he has to do is anticipate the question coming up during the V.P. debate and plan out a strategy for it ahead of time.

[polichick]

23. That would make sense, and also make for some nice drama!

[alwysdrunk]

26. Why is Clark so low on the lists?

I never see his name in the top 3 or even top 5. Actually, I don't think he shows up on many of the media lists at all.

Why?

It makes me think he's already turned Obama down. Why else?

[depakid]

27. Clark is the very last person the corporate media wants to see on the ticket

He shreds the script they've set up to undermine Obama with- and he's also someone who can hand their assess to them, while Obama is free to remain largely above the fray, where he seems to be more comfortable.

[Dinger]

33. "He shreds the script they've set up to undermine Obama with . . . "

Excellent, excellent post. Deserves its own thread if you ask me.

[Waiting For Everyman]

30. I agree about Clark. Choosing him would be smart and gutsy.

Bill Burton's statement wasn't a direct quote. So "reject" can mean a gamut of things.

General Clark is perfect. He can take McCain on as a vet anyday. He's shown that he's good in the "attack dog" VP role, and he's good at it coming from the direction Obama needs. He's older but not too old.

Also, Obama needs to pull in more white male voters, the group he polls the weakest in. Clark would help with that more than a woman VP choice would.

[Waiting For Everyman]

31. PS If being a POW qualifies McCain to be President

then Wes Clark could be Emperor!!! :)

A General trumps a Lt. Cmdr.

[Thothmes]

40. McCain retired from the Navy as a Captain

He was a LCDR while in North Vietnam.

[Dinger]

32. K & R

[bunnies]

36. Its got to be Clark. He's the guy we need by Obamas side right now. nt

[salguine]

37. Good, I hope it is. I've been saying all along that he's

arguably the best choice. Since, to paraphrase Matt Taibbi, McCain "pitches a tent visible for a mile anytime anyone so much as mentions the military," and his greatest strength is his military record (whether you think it's so great or not), putting a four-star general on the ticket—one who has actually waged a successful military campaign—couldn't help but cut the legs out from under McCain on that score. And as far as brother Alexander's assertion that "the MSM would go after him on his McCain quote", I don't think that would matter one bit—in fact, I'd almost like to see them try it—because Clark isn't afraid to speak the truth, and doesn't double back on himself anytime someone challenges him; plus, he simply doesn't take shit from anybody. I for one would like to see such a species of Democrat—I've heard it existed but have never actually seen one in the wild. I'd LOVE to see Wes Clark on the ticket.

[CJCRANE]

39. In fact the quote kerfuffle raised Clark's media profile

and introduced him to a few more people so it had some benefits.

On edit: Also the Repubs would find themselves in a MAD situation if they tried to swiftboat Clark, as the Dems could simply do the same to McCain, all bets would be off.

[Flying Dream Blues]

46. Great post if only for the use of the fun word "kerfuffle" :) nt

[Thothmes]

41. Clark for VP

IMO, he is probably the best qualified man for the job. His record is outstanding. Two questions thought, Why did the Clinton Administration see fit to cut short his SAC EUR tour and then not find another 4 star command for him? This caused him to have to retire per statute. The second question, has anyone learned what Hugh Shelton meant by his "integrity and character issues" comment about Clark during the 2004 campaign.

[publicatlarge]

50. Wes Clark went around the brass...

..to his connections in Washington over the Kosovo operations. He had been in Washington when he worked for the OMB. He knew Madeleine Albright, Clinton. This throughly pissed off Hugh Shelton and he has never gotten over it.

[Thothmes]

52. You do not sack four star generals without

the concurance of the Sec Def, and ultimately the President. Hugh Shelton may not have liked Clark, but he did not have the authority to replace Clark early. That had to come for those higher than him.

[Dinger]

57. Bill Clinton Gave Him The Presidential Medal Of Freedom, So It Wasn't Bill (nt)

[Thothmes]

59. Bill bought into it, for what ever reason.

Four Star General Officers of Major Joint/Nato commands do not move anywhere without the President agreeing to it.

[Clark2008]

62. Because they lied to Bill and he knew nothing about the military

and bought the lie.

He was livid when he found out the truth.

[Thothmes]

65. 7 years in the White House as the C in C

and Bill had not managed to learn anything about the Military? I don't think so. What evidence do you have that they pulled one over on the C in C.

[The Hope Mobile]

51. Obama/Clark '08 n/t

[renate]

60. welcome to DU!

:hi:

[LuckyTheDog]

53. I sure hope so

It looks as though the Obama/Clinton ticket won't happen. Clark is the best choice after that.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

56. You're slow! I figured that one out days ago!

;)

[Bobbie Jo]

58. Excellent choice....nt

[Clark2008]

63. I hope Caroline Kennedy and Eric Holder read DU.

Or their staffs.

It's obvious the base wants Clark. Look at this thread count.