Drafting the General: Clark Candidacy Stirs Supporters

[VolcanoJen]

Intriguing article; nothing really new here, save for an in-depth biography, with interviews from people who knew him back in Little Rock.

http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/nation_and_world/article/0,1426,MCA_454_2259791,00.html

Excerpt:

In person, Clark has a contained charisma and seems the calm GI Joe, always in control. Friendly but cautious, Clark, a keen wit, will crack the casual joke while multitasking on his BlackBerry, taking notes about the economy and talking world affairs.

Clark's friends and associates say he is determined, a visionary, 20 years ahead of his time. He is also still fiercely admired, especially by those in Little Rock.

John Wilkes was friends with Clark at Hall High, and recalls him as brilliant and considerate. Wilkes also recalls that his younger sister was in love with Clark.

"He had a great physique, was a great leader, and smart as hell. Who wouldn't be in love with him?" Wilkes said.

[Bread and Circus]

1. Clark is doing well in the polls and will announce this week...

I am impressed that he recently polled
9% in a usa today poll and 10% in a recent
gallup poll. Those numbers are excellent as
far as I am concerned. Being just a few points
behind well known contenders who spent millions
is amazing.

Anyway, this is a little kick for this thread.

:kick:

P.S. I am reading Joe Conason's "Big Lies" and
read Al Franken's new book. Both are excellent.
Anyone who has not read them yet, should get to
a book store right away for two reasons. 1) they
are excellent and 2) we need to support those who
are willing to go out and stand up to the right
wing "lie-machine".

[renie408]

3. I have been wanting to read the Franken book

ever since I saw him on the Today show.

Well, one thing's for sure, if Clark gets into the race, it will be interesting.

[Donna Zen]

2. Good find VJ

There was plenty there I hadn't heard.

And about the books: planning on it.

I also want to read Richard Holbrooke's book.

[VolcanoJen]

4. Speaking of good finds, Donna Zen...

Completely off-topic, but here's the first photo I've been able to find of Gert Clark, who very well may become the next First Lady.

http://www.nato.int/multi/photos/1999/m990506b.htm

Looking left to right, the photo in question is #6 (last photo in the second row).

In the photo, she's the lovely lady on the left. :-)

ON EDIT: Wow, here's another good find for ClarkWatchers! A moving article from the Washington Post, specifically related to the fated West Point Class of '66:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10038-2003Sep14.html

At our classmate's funeral, after taps had sounded and the volley of rifle shots had faded, a small group of us stood under a magnificent old locust tree. It was a gentle August morning; West Point rarely looked more beautiful or more confident. Yet, as we stood there, the conversation turned to Iraq and Wes Clark's potential candidacy. One of our classmates said, "We are standing here, on the graves of our classmates killed in Vietnam, talking seriously of another classmate being president of the United States." A hushed moment followed, and then with choked voices several classmates said almost in unison, "Tell Wes to go."

[OKNancy]

5. This is new to me...about his Vietnam experience

Clark's Army service began during the Vietnam War. In an ambush with the Viet Cong, he received four gunshot wounds to his leg and hand, but still managed to direct a counterattack and lead his platoon to safety, earning a Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Through a year of intense physical therapy, Clark taught himself to walk again, although a quarter of his calf muscle was gone. He also mastered a firm handshake, despite the missing muscle around his right thumb.
----------------------

Looks like he won't get any "Kerry-like" bashing from some ordinary poster here on DU.

[Donna Zen]

6. now...now Nancy

While we may get our hopes up I'm sure that taking four bullets was the reason he __________________________(fill in the blank) But I hope you are right.

Oh VJ! Thank you so much....I've looked every where for pictures of "Gert" I don't want to act silly, but you have to wonder and it is important. There would seem plenty of strength in that smile...good she will need it.

Jen_I'll be mailing you later...I've got a class coming in soon and need to get out of here. Yikes. But thanks for everything you do.

[OKNancy]

7. After your class I hope you can read this

I want to thank you too Donna for all the well thought posts. Also, the matter-of-fact way you post. I like it and appreciate your calm approach.

And a big "me too" to Jen as well.

[Donna Zen]

8. Class taking essay test

Hahahahhahh! running. Calm...whew, there are posts where I feel anything but calm. I want to scream!!! What %#$@**don't you get about this....there are no do-overs. Then I remember that we don't kill spiders in my house and things will be what they will be. "Govern a large country the way you cook a small fish." Lao Tzu.