Report: Wesley Clark Privately Urging Clinton To Quit Race

AmericaBlog:

The king of the pundits, Mark Halperin, drops a tantalizing hint about General Wes Clark, a strong Clinton supporter and fellow Arkansan:

"The biggest question: Will any of her supporters (including Wes Clark) say publicly or privately she should quit?"

We like General Clark here at AMERICAblog, and have a bit of a history with him. In fact, we've heard that Clark did call Hillary tonight, telling her it's time to quit. Perhaps the general's most dangerous mission to date.

Read the whole story: AmericaBlog

Comments

[96Bravo]

It's got to be tough for Clark to do this. He's from Arkansas and worked for the Clintons. He's known them very well. I think strategically, Bill Richardson would be perfect as Obama's V.P. for his governing and foreign policy experience as well as the ability to carry New Mexico, but Clark would not be a bad choice at all.

[Gma11]

I agree it's got to be tough. He is one of the most loyal human beings I've ever known. And Bill was his commander-in-chief. They go WAY back.

But Hillary's tactics and the positions she has taken in the last few weeks are so contrary to Clark's! And it must have been a bit difficult for him to watch her parading around with Shelton in North Carolina.

I fear the loyalty only extended in one direction.

[kohoutek]

Clark or Webb would be good choices. I think it'll be crucial to have an old military hand with serious experience on board to help voters feel comfortable.

[heal57]

I like Jim Webb for VP for Obama but I'll be happy with anybody as long as it's not Madame Hillary. Talk about divisive; geez. Superdelegates, let's come out today for Obama. Have some courage already. He will win the Presidency and Madame Hillary will still be campaigning. It's ridiculous.


Independents for Obama '08

[ErnestineBass]

IMHO, Webb would make a better Sec of Defense. He's got all the right skill sets. Richardson as Sec of State, Edwards as Attorney General and Kathleen Sebelius (Gov of Kansas) as VP. Waddya think?

[sco8d]

Hillary is not really all that devisive, if she has her campaign debt payed off by Obama she will be forced to campaign hard for him in the fall and will bring her support over with her. The combination of both groups of supporters would effectively CRUSH the Republicans.

[fanoftruthiness]

Another number that Obama netted more of last night and Hillary lost..... Secret Service Agents!

[Tropiholic]

Perhaps public urging would be more effective?

[roch20]

It gets to the point where Hillary is seen with "sadness", for example; i'm not a Hillary supporter and don't have any intention to change my mind anytime soon, still, yesterday it was heartbreaking watching Chelsea close to tears, while her mother is giving the Indiana speech; and this can not be translate into something good, regardless of the color of the glass by wich you look at it!

[cavewoman]

It's in the spirit (and best interest) of the Obama campaign now to give Hillary the space to save face. For those who don't go for the "better angels" thing, well there's also the practical fact that it's just good diplomacy. Best if Clinton's own supporters urge her to bring this to a gracious close, even if it means finishing all the primaries (hopefully with the worst of the negativity behind us...? we'll see).

[FlowerGirl]

The he race is over. Obama has more than a 170 lead in pledgerd delegates. Even if he were to give Hillary her pretend "wins" in Florida and Michigan, he would still lead by over 120. In the six remaining contests, he is favored in Montasna, South Dakota and Oregon, while she is favored in West Virginia, Kentucky and Puerto Rico. Suppose she holds him to a tie in his states and wins by blowouts in hers. She would still be behind in pledged delegates because the numbers available are too small. So how are the superdelegates -- even if they agree to giving her the maximum she can hope for in Florida and Michigan -- give her the nomination?
I repeat: it's over.
Time to think about Obama's VP.
My choices -- in order of preference are:
(1) Webb
(2) Sebelius
(3) Dunn
(4) Napolitano
(5) Dodd
(6)Richardson
(7) Edwards
(8) Fallon
(9) Clark

I would prefer to see Richardson as Sec. of State, Edwards as Attorney Gerneral, Fallon as Sec. of Defense. But Clark would be OK there, too.
Kucinnich should be given a big voice on health care.
Republicans who might fit in the administration somewhere are Hagel, Paul (in a foreign policy position), and Huckabee maybe.
I'd love to see Dean get the UN position.
I prefer not to see any of the DLC crowd given positions where they can cause trouble.

[fudgebuster]

here's my list

1. Colbert
2. Mr Greenjeans
3. Popeye
4. G W Bush
5. Babe Ruth (i know, he's dead)
6. Elton John
7. Senator Kohl
8. Comedian Rush Limbaugh

[VSamuels]

Yes, it is very likely that Obama will make Rush Limbaugh its Drug Czar.

[suigeneris]

well reasoned on all counts. *applause*

I think that Clark and Webb are the best VP choices. He really needs an old guy from the south or a military guy.

[speakingtruth2power]

Hey FlowerGirl,

I don't believe Clark has been retired long enough to qualify for Defense by law.

I do think Wesley's skills would be well suited for Homeland Security if it's kept.

I like Edwards at Atty Gen to put the rule of law back in place, serving the people.

I would love to see Dr Dean at Health where he could lead US to single payer.

Bill Richardson would be good at State but he'd also be good as Barack's VP.


Regardless, the key Cabinet positions should be part of our overall campaign.

[zenarchist]

HOMELAND SECURITY NEEDS TO GO!

We are not living in Zee Fatherland.

Patriot Act needs to go.

Time to take our country back.

[zenarchist]

Dude,

WHERE THE HELL IS KUCINICH IN YOUR LIST???????

let's at least have ONE true progressive.

[nuglet304]

adding kucinich to an obama ticket would be political suicide in a general election.

[DavidMG]

Wes Clark for Veep! He's old. He's military. Good balance

[fudgebuster]

He's also a Hillary Supporter. He'd be a lousy choice IMHO.

It's going to be Hillary and it will be settled at the Convention ... the announcement will blow the roof off the joint.

My personal choice is princess Dianna.... because 1. she's dead 2. she was against land mines.

[suigeneris]

He's not a Hillary supporter any more, genius -- or do you not even read the articles when you're trolling?

[Kache]

An "announcement" at the convention that Hillary had stolen the nomination would result in a third party. And with a MAD 1.5 million donors who can contribute over $2billion war chest to that ticket would swamp both the Dem & Rep coffers. Actually, the more I think about it - LET'S DO IT!

[LeftVetPatriot]

Obama/Clark?

[kevenseven]

Pretty obvious.

[drkazmd65]

Definately could do worse than Obama/Clark

[oldrwsr]

I think the speeches last night from both Obama and Clinton sounded like they are ready to work together. It looked like her and Bill both knew it was over when she gave her speech. She is sounding like she is still fighting, but she knows the fight is over and she is working on the details to bow out.

[raskolnikov72]

hah - don't buy it. Behind the scenes, they will sabotage Barack ...

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2006/10/07/did_carville_tip_bush_off_to_k/

[VSamuels]

Agreed. The Clintons are snakes and will not go easy into the night. She basically has no way to win other than by subverting the process, so each day she remains in the race it signals that she is willing to subvert this process to win.

[speakingtruth2power]

MSNBC just said that George McGovern, a Cliton supporter, just urged her to drop out!

[dooleynoted]

At least Clark is not as bad as the amoral Lanny Davis and Carville and their like.

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Wolfson, Ickes, Penn. They're all horrific! The people she surrounds herself with, tell you all you need to know.

[maidenofdforest]

YES, Hillary has surely surrounded herself with bery terrible people. They do MIRROR each one but look at Lanny Davis, HE has been on CNN last nite and he was horrible trying to punch the daylight out of Michigan and Florida delagates, trying to hide and srpout that they were behind in NC by 25 pts., that they were behind in Indiana, etc. These guys really never lose out a single tirade to the public who they think are dumb just to offset the illusion and fallacy of a Hillary downfall.

They have to get on with the fundraising, they have poor vendors who haven't been paid yet and now, they're out of money. How they spent those valuable funds is one surefire tale on how they would be in the WH.

Carville didn't come out last night. The joker ,ust have been busy concoting new cojones to attach to Hillary's gutsy face at her sort of 'victory' speech. It was just Lanny and his digsuting illussion has always been about fantasyland. Wake up Lanny Davis, you had better sort out the creases, you've been in Hillary's campaign far too long to spin lies and not know the TRUTH.

[TrueBlueMajority]

Hmm, maybe Wes is willing to be Obama's running mate.

I'd still rather have Webb, since he has more campaign trail fire, or Zinni, since he has possible appeal to a wider set of demographics.

[qdog112]

Wes Clark is a man of integrity. he will be considered by Barack as VP. A white southern general brings a needed demographic that counters McCain's military experience and helps with the coveted "white blue collar" voter. Clark's '04 run gave us insight into his positions and they align with Barack's.

Webb would be good, but Dems cannot afford to lose his senate seat. Clark will be on the list for VP and cabinet positions.

[Moose49]

I used to think Clark would be the best choice for the reasons you stated as well as the fact that he's not part of the D.C. Political-Lobbying-Industrial complex. And I would be pleased if he was Obama's choice.

But now I think Webb would be better because, in addition to his own national security credentials, he brings the kind of economic populism and authenticity needed to attract the white, blue collar voters who backed Hillary and he probably puts Virginia into the Democratic column, while Clark cannot deliver a specific state.

Plus, Webb doesn't cost the Dems a Senate seat -- a Democratic governor, Tim Kaine, would appoint his replacement. And maybe Kaine would run for the seat in a special election.

[speakingtruth2power]

We need to pick the best person who brings the most to the party.

While I agree that both Clark and Webb, should be considered if

not for VP, then for Sec. of Defense & Homeland Security. Clark is

not yet eligible for Defense but his organizational genius is very

much needed @ H S. My favorite pick for VP is Bill Richardson.

[simplecitizen]

Webbs Senate seat is safe. Virginia has a Democratic Gov. who will appoint a Democrat to take that seat.

[qdog112]

Webb would be replaced by a Democrat, but Webb has proven electability. Would his replacement have the ability to hold that seat come re-election time?

[oldrwsr]

I think Clark will be on a list of VP candidates, but I also think there are many others, including Hillary, Webb, Biden, Richardson. I like Kathleen Sebilius of Kansas. She's a woman, she can help carry Kansas, a red state, and she can help with Ohio since her father was Governor there in the past.

[speakingtruth2power]

There is much to consider with who will be most effective and why.

Sebilius being a female, a Governor and a Catholic are all positives,

but geographically, it doesn't help and we MUST WIN!!! The top jobs

at a Cabinet level are equally important and should be part of OUR

campaign in the general. Promoting our strengths and the serious

weaknesses in the GOP ranks will be very helpful in adding more

muscle to Barack's thin resume. It also gives us a chance to point

out how many senior Congressmen are bailing on the GOP side.

This election should be the greatest sea change in our history!!!

[Kache]

Clark's real asset to an Obama administration would be as Sec of State or Ambassador to the UN. He is widely respected in European capitals where he held together the coalition for the Kosovo campaign. He showed real diplomatic skill there.

Obama needs to attract Hillary's "Republican wing of the Democratic Party". Webb or Sebelius would do that.

Webb, a former Repub has a very convincing campaign speech on why he switched parties. "Republicans measure the health of a society at the apex of the pyramid, Democrats measure it at the base of the pyramid". That appeals to blue-collar Hillary supporters.

In Kansas the Gov and Lt Gov have to run as a team on the same ticket. In her first campaign Sebelius chose the state Chairman of the Republican Party. He switched parties to run with her. 4 years later she needed a new running mate - again she chose the new state Chairman of the Republican Party. When Kathy reaches across the aisle she takes prisoners!

Both Webb & Sebelius would attract independents, Republicans, and Hillary's "Republican wing of the Democratic Party".

[TNT2008]

OMG Senior Aides of Hillary's campaign are having a conference call live on MSNBC and they are planning the campaign to be nominated and on to the White House! What nerve!

[eladora]

Rachel Maddow called it and all of the others were wrong.

[DebLee]

Here! Here! She sure did! Who would lend their campaign over 6 million dollars one week and drop out the next. She doesn't care who she hurts, it's all about Hillary. Chelsea must want a White House wedding.

[obamanation31]

I knew it! She should exit gracefully. It's a shame.

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

I`M THE FAT LADY

THE CENTRE STAGE IS MINE

THE WITCH IS FLYING AWAY AWAY TRA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA




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