Clark Set to Enter 2004 Presidential Race (VP Possibility)

Guardian (U.K.) ^ | Thursday September 11, 2003 | RON FOURNIER

[nickcarraway]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark has told friends he is likely to become the 10th Democratic presidential candidate, a move that could shake up the crowded field just four months before the first ballots are cast.

Clark, 58, has not made a final decision, but the Arkansas resident has begun to recruit campaign staff and plans to announce his intentions next week, friends and party officials said on condition of anonymity.

He could still put the brakes on a campaign, they said.

While mulling his options, Clark has met with several presidential contenders who covet his endorsement and might consider him for a vice presidential slot. He met Saturday with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who said it is too soon to talk about political alliances.

``There is a lot of vetting that would have to be done before you would have those kinds of discussions,'' Dean said when asked whether he had discussed the vice presidency with Clark.

A senior adviser to another Democratic contender described Clark's talks with his candidate as ``almost an audition for the vice presidential sweepstakes.''

If Clark were to enter the race, it would be to win the nomination and not simply position himself for the No. 2 slot, associates said.

Clark has a resume that unnerves potential rivals - Rhodes scholar, first in his 1966 class at West Point, White House fellow, head of the U.S. Southern Command and NATO commander during the 1999 campaign in Kosovo.

A Clark White House bid would grab the political spotlight and undercut the strengths of several in the nine-way Democratic race.

Dean's effort to solidify his front-runner status might suffer from the distraction of a Clark candidacy. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts would no longer be the race's only decorated combat veteran. Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and Bob Graham of Florida would face another Southerner.

``He's all potential and upside,'' said Democratic strategist Donna Brazile. ``The question will be whether he could put together the organization so late.''

A senior Democratic Party strategist said Clark told him this week that he was ``90 percent sure'' he would run. Asked what would hold him back, Clark had no answer, according to the official, who also said Clark didn't seem to have answers to key questions about organizing a race.

Two acquaintances of Clark said he has told him he is likely to run, and the only thing stopping him is a last-minute change of heart or realization that he can't get an organization ready.

An Internet-fueled draft-Clark movement has developed the seeds of a campaign and more than $1 million in pledges. Dean, who also has used the Internet as an organizational tool, has said Clark would have an immediate impact on the race.

Senior party leaders say Clark or his advisers have contacted several prominent Democrats about jobs in the campaign should he take the plunge. Among them are Mark Fabiani, who ran Al Gore's communications team in the 2000 campaign.

Clark also asked John Weaver, a top strategist in the 2000 presidential campaign of Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, to manage his campaign. Weaver declined because of health problems.

If he enters the race, Clark would enjoy the support of at least two longtime associates of former President Clinton - Skip Rutherford and Bruce Lindsey, both of Arkansas. Clinton has spoken glowingly of Clark, but he has not taken sides in the nomination fight.

Clark believes his four-star military service would counter Bush's political advantage as a wartime commander in chief, associates say. The retired general has been critical of the Iraq war and Bush's postwar efforts, positions that would put him alongside Dean, Graham and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio as the most vocal anti-war candidates.

Dean has met four times with Clark. In the last several months, Clark talked to Kerry and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, among other contenders.

Dean's campaign manager, Joe Trippi, and Clark's advisers also talked frequently. Officials familiar with the conversations say Dean has sought Clark's endorsement, but there has been no promises made about putting Clark on a potential Dean ticket.

Clark is scheduled to deliver a speech at the University of Iowa on Sept. 19, but he has said he'll make his decision before that. Officials say next week's announcement will likely be made in Little Rock, Ark.

[KantianBurke]

"Clark has friends? When did this happen?"

[don'tbedenied]

Perfect, never elected, no name recognition, no organization, no natural constituents, no chance of being nominated, no chance of being elected.
Great resume though.

[snooker]

"Clark has friends? When did this happen?"

He is from Arkansas.

[cwb]

It's going to be fun watching a former military man appeal to the wacko left of his party. I just can't see him getting through the primary with his record...no matter how much he disparages his colleagues.

[plain talk]

Ramsey Clark is going to enter the race. Great!

[OldFriend]

Bring em on!

Want to hear him explain why the British General demanded he be recalled to the US and why he was given EARLY retirement by slick willie.

[The South Texan]

But that will not stop the leftist media from not kissing his rear end and try getting him elcted like they did with Bill Clinton. You watch, we may have to worry about this guy, it is going to be 1992 with the media fawning all over him. And we are going to get the same garbage "Worse economy in 50 years, etc." and the media will pound , pound and pound the sheep with that.

[cold_dead_fingers]

I agree. It may not even be that he will win the party's nomination. But as a Veep candidate he could be a major problem. I honestly think this guy is big trouble for Bush.

[Burkeman1]

I am not sure who would scare me more as President: Hillary, McCain, or Clark. All three could easily pass for the insane President from the movie "The Dead Zone" who launches a first strike nuclear war.

[mabelkitty]

So he's going to capitalize on 9/11 media saturation and use this to attach himself to the war on terrorism?

How many news programs will he appear on today/tonight.

This is Clinton orchestration to thwart Dean.

[mewzilla]

Clark is a loony. Give him a few days. It won't be long till he shoots himself in the foot.

[1Old Pro]

Good, he's kookier than Dean. The funny thing is that Dean wants him on his ticket.

[mabelkitty]

Ask Veterans Against Clark about how Wesley Clark deliberately bombed Kosovo refugees trying to return home.

He is also attached to Waco in some form.

There's no way this guy will get a pass...too many skeletons in his closet, and I already heard about this stuff.

[Burkeman1]

How about when Clark ordered the British commander to attack the Russian troops that had arrived at the Pristina airport? The British commander responded that he was not about to start WWIII for him and wisely refused to carry out the order. The guy has got more than one screw lose.

[concerned about politics]

And we are going to get the same garbage "Worse economy in 50 years, etc." and the media will pound , pound and pound the ....historically ignorant ........sheep with that.

[Prodigal Son]

While mulling his options, Clark has met with several presidential contenders who covet his endorsement and might consider him for a vice presidential slot.

I guess Clarke figures he's playing tactics and strategy with this but he misses the underlying implication. By already approaching other candidates to apply for the "Al Gore Office", he's selling himself short. Can you picture (pre 2000 elections) Bush trying to suck up to John McCain with a line like "If I don't get the nomination- which I doubt I will- can I be your bitch? Please, please, please!"?

It's just unAmerican to strive for second place.

[Uncle Hal]

Clark is angling to be VP. The Dems think that a retired general on the ticket would counter any liberal presidential nominee. The Dems are perceived as being weak on defense by the general public. They might be right. But if it looks like a Dem may win this cannot make Hillary happy. So she may jump in. Who knows? What ever happens Hillary does not want a Dem to win in 04 unless it is her. Any perceived front runner for the Dems should be very careful and watch his backside.

[and the horse you rode in on]

Hasn't anyone learned anything from the last time we had an Arkansas Democrat in the running?

[Green Knight]

It appears that Sauron got tired of letting the Ringwraiths have all the fun and might be jumping into the ring. Can Melkor be far behind?

[PJ-Comix]

"I thought this country was founded on a principle of progressive taxation."

[twigs]

This is Clinton orchestration to thwart Dean.

It sounds like Dean is onto the Clinton's schemes though. Somewhere I read that Dean and Clark have talked face to face a number of times. Dean is trying to get Clark to join his campaign and has not ruled out Clark for VP. I got the idea that Dean was trying to head off the Clintons. However, anyone who puts a Clintonite as their VP and wishes to live through their administration needs to rethink their position!

[twigs]

Wasn't it Dean who said in the debates the other night that Pres. Bush was responsible for the terrorism on 9/11? My normally low blood pressure couldn't take it. Another face foudn its way onto my screen very quickly.

[j.havenfarm]

Yeah, great resume. Leader of our backing the wrong side in Kosovo.

[Bombard]

Could you please state your reason for such a odd statement.

[mupcat]

I actually have a liberal friend who's hoping he'll run so she can vote for him. I wonder if anyone has a link to some information on him that I can enlighten her with. Thanks!

[montag813]

``There is a lot of vetting that would have to be done before you would have those kinds of discussions,'' Dean said when asked whether he had discussed the vice presidency with Clark.

DEAN: So what was the "vetting" result?
STAFFER: Well there is good news and bad news.
DEAN: Good news first please
STAFFER: Good news is he graduated first at West Point and won a Rhodes Scholarship.
DEAN: Bad news?
STAFFER: The Bad news is that he is a homocidal megalomaniac who planned and directed the mass murder at Waco, butchered 5,000 Serbian civilians, ordered a British General to fire on Russian troops during that campaign, and was relieved of his duties as a result of his unstable mental condition.
DEAN: That's great! A want him for my VEEP!

[VetsRule]

The Bad news is that he is a homocidal megalomaniac who planned and directed the mass murder at Waco,

This is patently untrue.

butchered 5,000 Serbian civilians,

So you'd prefer to act as an apologist for Serbian ethnic cleansing and genocide?

ordered a British General to fire on Russian troops during that campaign,

Again, this is patently untrue.

and was relieved of his duties as a result of his unstable mental condition.

He was actually relieved by Cohen because of personality conflicts.

Look, this stuff is complete BS, and unworthy of anyone who values truth. As a firm supporter of people who have served our country, I find lying about their records to be really reprehensible, especially when there are so many legitimate criticisms that can be leveled.

VR

[Burkeman1]

Wrong side? I agree with you but most of the folks who advise Bush don't seem to think that. The Weekly Standard run by chickenhawk junior Kristol fully supported that war and even threatened to bolt the GOP if Republicans kept criticizing Clinton over that disgusting criminal war. Kinda the reason I don't trust a word from the Weekly Standard, National Review, or any "neocon" these days. They will sell Bush and conservatives out in a second. They are not conservative and neither is this war in Iraq.