Random thoughts- 8/23

[MGKrebs]

(Is this like a blog within a forum?)

So Wesley Clark is going to announce something within a couple of weeks. There would be little drama if he decides to run, except in regards to which party will it be for.

If he decides not to run, the drama level increases significantly. What role would he play? For whom? Would he continue to act as an independent? Or would he at least specify a party affiliation? It seems if he has ambitions to be part of some future administration, he would at least have to indicate a loyalty to a party.

He is already quite visible and evidently sought after on the news talk shows, a format in which he usually excels. We already know he is advising Dean on foreign policy issues. Perhaps a likely scenario is that he would decide not to run, but accept a more formalized role as an advisor. Which we all know would include consideration for something else down the road- VP. or Sec. of State perhaps.

Next up:

Would the world be different today if Al Gore had chosen Dianne Feinstein as a running mate instead of Joe Lieberman?

...

I participated in a conference call with Howard Dean last night, and I wanted to repeat something that he said. In response to a question about how he would approach the problems in the Middle East, Dean said (paraphrasing)-
"You can't stop the terrorism if you don't stop the funding, and the funding is coming from Saudi Arabia. " Just like that. :o

He also responded to a question about his top three priorites if he were to be elected by saying that #1 is creating jobs, and part of the plan to create jobs lies in developing a renewable energy industry. :-)

He may not be perfect, but he sure is speaking to ME.

(Disclosure- I am a volunteer for Dean, although I disagree with him on a couple of things- death penalty, gun laws.)

Finally, there is a pretty cool techno mix/Dean speech that my friend Phyllis put together. Here is the host site:

http://www.nettonemidas.com/nettonemidas/dean/

and you should be able to just play the mp3 from here;

http://www.nettonemidas.com/nettonemidas/dean/deanmix90.mp3

[graham67]

1. Huh?

There would be little drama if he decides to run, except in regards to which party will it be for.

I disagree. Should he enter, it will make a huge splash.

We already know he is advising Dean on foreign policy issues.

:wtf: Where did you hear this?

[MGKrebs]

2. Here's where it was reported that they are talking;

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34389-2003Aug22.html

The drama I was referring to is that there is already so much speculation that he will run, that it would be no big surprise if he did. It would certainly energize his supporters, but let's look at the possible scenario's:

- He declare's as a Dem - Adding one more to an existing field of 9 when most observers are already accepting that as a distinct possibility hardly seems dramatic. That's not to discount his chances- he would almost certainly be a formidable candidate, and may eventually significantly affect the whole dynamic, or even win!

- he declares as an independent or Green- interesting, but reduces his chances of winning, non?

- declares as a repub- hopefully not really a possibility.

[graham67]

3. Yeah, I just read that article..

"Dean has been getting tutored on foreign policy by numerous experts, including retired Marine Gen. Joseph P. Hoar. He has also had several private conversations with retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO commander who some Democrats see as an attractive running mate for Dean if Clark does not join the race himself."

So they're including Wesley Clark as one of the "numerous experts" on foreign policy or are were they having private conversations about something else?


The drama I was referring to is that there is already so much speculation that he will run, that it would be no big surprise if he did.

I don't think anyone (who has been paying attention) will be surprised if he jumps in. We're all just waiting for it. But, I think it will have a huge impact on those who weren't going to say much about him until he's actually a candidate, and those who haven't been paying attention to the race up to this point.

I don't see these two happening--

- he declares as an independent or Green- interesting, but reduces his chances of winning, non?

- declares as a repub- hopefully not really a possibility.

If he jumps in this race it will be to win. He can't win as a Green or Independent. He's said as much. He's also not going to run as a Republican. It's not even a remote possibility.

edited for spelling error

[Kamika]

4. Is there really any drama?

As i see it there are four possibilities. Now some of these arent especially realistic, like running green im just writing the different options.

1. he runs independant which will most likely make a certain win for bush since the democratic party voters will be split on him

2. he runs as a green which also makes a sure win for bush since he will absolutely get more democratic votes then nader did. (HIGHLY unlikely)

3. he runs as a republican but Bush will be the candidate ofcourse so no difference. (Unlikely)

4. He runs as a dem.


The only thing we realisticly should fear is if he would run as an independant.

[graham67]

5. Nah....

the only way he'll run is as a Dem. He pretty much suggested that the Republicans wouldn't have him because of his views (sorry, I can't remember exactly which interview it was--the interviewer suggested there might be a place for him in the Bush Admin. and he scoffed at the idea). He said during his MTP interview that it's a two party system, he doesn't consider running as a Republican or a Independent. I mean this with all sincerity and certainty....he'll only run if he thinks he has a good chance of winning. The only way to win is as a Dem.

edited for clarity

[graham67]

6. Not going to run as a Rethug

http://hasc3.house.gov/02-09-25full.asf

This testimony is interesting in itself, but if you have the time to listen you will catch a small glimpse of the animosity between Clark and the Rethugs, Perle in particular.

[Eloriel]

7. Hi, MGKrebs!!

How was your gathering? I'm so sorry I missed it. Just too much going on around here.

Eloriel

[MGKrebs]

8. Hi Eloriel!

Yeah, I guess you have been busy! :-)

The party was good. We did not raise a ton of money, but we met some great folks. I was not really that interested in participating in the conference call 9 I thought 5000 people on a call would be a mess) but it worked very well, and he said some interesting things.

I was somewhat disappointed because we have been trying to get the African-American community interested in looking into Dean, and it just isn't happening yet. We'll keep plugging away though.

(I'm going to send you a PM, too.)