KERRY+EDWARDS+CLARK+DEAN = The Big 4

[sandersadu]

Hear me out.

We had a great democratic primary, and in my view 4 truly strong candidates emerged. In any other year, any of them would have clearly been the best candidate, but only one could win.

But why can't we take advantage of all 4? Clark and Dean truly created excitement and literally brought thousands, maybe millions of people to the Democratic process and more importantly, the Democratic Party. Where are they now? They are being completely underused and it's hurting us. In my view, these guys should be the "Big 4", literally a 4-headed monster literally covering the 4 corners of this country

(1) Clark: Bring back the "Draft Clark" movement, by hinting at a Secretary of State position for the Good General (just as Bush did w/ Colin Powell). Then plant Clark in Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Virginia and Florida. Also clearly communicate that he is the "Main National Security Surrogate" (other than K/E of course). The bottom line is that Clark's energy and talents only come through once a generation. Don't waste it!

(2) Dean: Make Dean the head of the DNC immediately. He would be great at the position, great at raising $ (as proven by the "bat"), but more importantly would finally bring "grass-roots" sentiments so eloquently expressed on DU straight into the DNC, and finally get rid of the DLC/timid/milquetoast gang that is there now. Believe me, this would energize lots of Deaniacs, and give Dean an even stronger voice in the party, so he could be campaigning all of the country and giving more interviews, instead of Terry (No RNC Response) McAuliffe.

Am I crazy, am I blind, am I the only one that sees this?

Make it the "BIG 4" the rest of the way, and have everyone alse fall into line!


SmartDem2004

[Eric J in MN]

1. Those are good ideas. In the meantime,

people who like Wesley Clark or Howard Dean can get involved though:

Wesley Clark organization:
http://www.wespac2004.com/

Howard Dean organization:
www.democracyforamerica.com

[WMliberal]

2. i'd love for dean to replace McAuliffe

McAuliffe is such an empty suit. Not to mention that he has zero public speaking and debate ability.

[MercutioATC]

9. It'd be poetic justice considering how McAuliffe treated Dean

in the primaries.

:evilgrin:

[FrenchieCat]

29. It's not like Mc Auliffe treated

Wes Clark any better.....

[MercutioATC]

30. I agree. He was more interested in promoting the DNC's warped agenda

than supporting the candidates.

[IndianaGreen]

3. Those are post-elections suggestions

We need to concentrate on the issues that are important to voters: jobs, jobs, jobs!

Forget Vietnam, and write off Iraq unless you are going to announce a total troop withdrawal within 6-months from taking office.

[sandersadu]

4. Big 4

All I'm saying is that let's just have our 4 strongest guns blazing.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Hopefully Big Dog will return to the campaign trail soon

Wes Clark is not just a general, he knows a lot about geopolitics and diplomacy. Clark would be a great asset anywhere.

[sandersadu]

6. Clark

I agree. Clark would be good on domestic issues as well as nat'l security. He should be campaigning everywhere. That's why he's one of the Big 4.

[sandersadu]

7. Dean

Don't forget that both Clark and Dean will bring out women's votes as well as lower income whites (at least in Clark's case).

[FrenchieCat]

28. Clark is currently involved...but should be used way more....

Clark is currently involved in this:
***************************
http://www.usabroad.org/2004/09/win_back_respec.html

Win Back Respect has launched an open letter for U.S. citizens
abroad to protest the dangeourous and short-sighted unilateralism
evidenced in George W. Bush's speech at the Republican Convention.
The group writes: At the Republican Convention last week, George W.
Bush claimed to have made America and the world safer. Americans
abroad know that this is not true. Americans abroad have a powerful
perspective on how profoundly damaging Bush's foreign policy has
been. With foreign policy dominating this election, it is vital that
the voices of Americans abroad be heard back home.

Therefore, I'm writing to ask your help in gathering signatures from
Americans abroad for the open letter below. The letter is an
initiative of "Win Back Respect" (www.winbackrespect.org ), a major
new campaign to highlight to voters the dangers of Bush's foreign
policy and the importance of restoring America's standing in the
world. The campaign's leaders include Gen. Wesley Clark, former
National Security Advisor Tony Lake and others with deep experience
in US foreign policy.

We need to get as many Americans abroad as possible to sign the
letter and to make a small contribution so that it can be published
as full page ads in newspapers in battleground states. The letter
will be published around the third anniversary of 9/11—an
opportunity to encourage other Americans to reflect on how the Bush
administration squandered the goodwill of the world after September
11.

We have one week to gather as many signatures as possible.

We would be very grateful if you could forward this letter to your
members and to Americans abroad in your personal networks, and
encourage them to sign the letter and forward it to their friends.

Americans abroad can influence this election not just through their
votes, but through their views and experiences.

Click here to read and sign the letter.

Best wishes,

Ambassador George Bruno
on behalf of the Win Back Respect Advisory Board
http://www.winbackrespect.org/aboutus

AND THIS:

http://www.stevebrozakforcongress.com/events.html

Fundraiser with Gen. Wesley K. Clark

Date: September 8th, 2004
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: Cherry Valley, New Jersey

RSVP to Dave Riordan at 908-518-7610.

AND HE WILL SPEAKING IN BALTIMORE, MD...ON SEPTEMBER 9TH at several venues
Details at Wespac2004.com under events.

AND

http://www.riponcollegedays.com/vnews/display.v/ART/200...
Will speak at RIPON College about ethical leadership at Opening Convocation on September 14th.

[Seabiscuit]

8. The Big 6

when you add in Clinton and Gore

[sandersadu]

10. Big 6

Agreed.

Clinton (both of them) and Gore need to have major roles. Just concerned we've got "too many cooks in the kitchen"

[IndianaGreen]

12. Big Dog is out of action for the rest of the campaign season

I watched the press conference by his doctors and they said that Clinton was in real bad shape and that his recovery is going to take a very long time. They also said that the stress of being on the road, selling his book and campaigning, aggravated his condition.

Big Dog is out of action for the rest of the campaign season.

:-(

[Gloria]

14. Not what I heard...total recovery would take a few months, but he could be

active in a matter of weeks (but not days).

There's no doubt he will be doing robocalls, TV, and select campaign events. And no doubt he will be advising.....

[oceanbreeze]

31. Bill Clinton's abilities...

Will be in the shadow for about 6 weeks...then he should be ok..My husband had a 5 way by-pass 8 years ago, in his fifties..and within 6 weeks was back at work, full time..he had 5 blockages that were at 90%, (the trick is to catch this condition before a heart attack occurs and damages the heart muscle itself, which they did, with Clinton)..my husband's work is not sedentary, like public speaking or advising would be considered. Of course, stress levels with this particular election, might be harder to handle than physical labor.
Clark revs up an audience like no one I ever met before. He, Dean, Kuchinic all have their supporters, and I am sure that all of us are having somewhat of a time, handling what we view as a lack of enthusiasm for this ticket, guaranteed voters, out of desperation, are not what's needed to win...The Kerry campaign needs to listen to what we are saying...get with it, show us some fire, "rock the vote"..
They need to make use of the charisma of the previous candidates to their best advantage, out on the front lines. Each one has a special abilities that could and should be used each and every day, somewhere, without fail...Their voices need to be heard..
The ticket doesn't need to convince us they intend to fight to the finish and win...they need to show everyone else..and I, for one, am not seeing it..description of ticket....lackluster/boring/badly advised, and more recently, on Edward's part, decidedly juvenile...Hope the DNC/Kennedy is happy with their choices..and sincerely hoping that when push comes to shove, they actually have what it takes to dethrone Bush. Not much time left to "get with it"
oceanbreeze

[Seabiscuit]

21. Don't be so glum...

See my thread about CNN's inadvertant reporting of some guy who said: "Clinton can accomplish more from his hospital bed than Bush can in four years!"

[mandyky]

13. Make it 7

Please do not leave out Dennis Kucinich. Although I supported Dean, Kucinich could help bring Greens back home to roost!

[Kanary]

16. Exactly -- Dennis Kucinich was the only other candidate to complete the

race, just like he said he would.

Thanks, mandyky..... it's refreshing to see a Dean supporter remember DK!

Kanary

[Doohickie]

17. Kucinich: The next Sec of the Interior? Head of EPA?

[Kanary]

20. HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER!!!

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

:toast:

Kanary

[Seabiscuit]

22. Make that 7!

Yes, as a former Dean supporter, I remember Dennis Kucinich fondly. In fact, I was repulsed by Kerry's early bid (as a result of his arguing against the IWR then voted to cede Congress' constitutional authority to declare war to Bush), then first attracted to Dennis, then Dean came along, and his grassroots effort exploded into a lot of fun for awhile - the "Sleepless Summer Tour" before the debates was the high point.

So yes, Let's make Dennis the House Leader when we win back the House.

[Dr Fate]

11. It's obvious to the average DUer- so hopefully it is obvious to team Kerry

I agree with you- Kerry needs to unleash a cast of characters on TV, to help him fight the GOP/media...

[DaveSZ]

15. Great ideas

I agree 100% on Clark as Sec of State and Dean as head of DNC.

That would be great.

[sandersadu]

19. Kucinich

Can't forget about Dennis. He should also be used. Kerry just needs to make clear who his team is. Right now there seem to be too many hangers on.

For example, Donna Brazile and Susan Estrich are not part of the team. Kerry should politely ask them to stop doing Crossfire or other media shows.

[Seabiscuit]

24. Bingo!

Donna Brazile and Susan Estrich are milquetoast flops in the media.

Fire their asses!

Put up some people who know how to question the assumptions in the right-wing talking point questions, attack them, then tell the truth about Bushco!

[msongs]

18. Dean speaks today at University of Redlands, Ca at 7 PM.....

speaking of the man who put the spine back into the dems, he will appear today Sept 6, 2004, at the University of Redlands, REdlands, Ca, at 7pm for a speaking presentation. no admission fee. come early!!

I have met Dean twice and heard him 2 more times...............glad he is on our side I tell ya!

[Dem2theMax]

23. Damn. Wish I knew about that earlier. Like before today.

I used to live in Redlands. Only 1 1/2 hours away now as it is. Darn it. I would have loved to hear him speak in person.

[juajen]

25. I agree, absolutely. Your suggestions are great

Energizing the electorate is all important right now. These great gutsy and beautiful guys, plus others, are what made our primaries so captivating. Frankly, I loved all of them, with one small exception, and I would love to be seeing them all over touting this ticket.

[FrenchieCat]

26. You are so right....

I see Wes Clark as a potential weapon on the "soft on National Security" smears we keep hearing....and his Television appearance are always very potent. Clark should be on Meet the press, Face the Nation, etc.....and there should be a whisper campaign as to what his role will be in a Kerry Administration (SOS) Holbrook may have claimed that role (guess he decides) and is somewhat effective but does not shine like Wes Clark--that would bring many Clark supporters actively back to the campaign. The thing about Clark supporters is that they always realized that National Security would be Bush's trump card unless it was taken away. Currently, many of them (including myself) have been horrified at the Kerry campaign's handling of that particular issue. We cannot cede this issue to Bush...as the meme building is "If you don't have national security, none of the other stuff is important).

Yes, the Kerry campaign needs to put out both Dean and Clark where it counts and can do good, out, front and center.

Clark can bring Male voters and shore up those tittering Veterans....

Would be good to use him to counter Bush and ZigZag Zell ma' book going around everywhere selling Zell's Convention bull!

[BootinUp]

27. I'm in total agreement

How do we make this happen?!!!