Democratic Convention Theme Taken From Wes Clark's PAC

My colleague Sam Stein reported earlier today that Barack Obama's VP choice will speak on the veteran-themed third night of the Democratic convention. As he noted, top Obama officials immediately poured water on any speculation that this coincidence necessarily signals a VP with military experience.

But here's one more interesting connection that hints ever-so-slightly toward the selection of a veteran veep, submitted by a sharp reader.

According to USA Today, the theme for Wednesday, Aug. 27 is "Securing America's Future," which just also happens to be the name of Gen. Wesley Clark's political action committee. (The URL for its website is simply "SecuringAmerica.com," but FEC filings list the full name.)

For what it's worth, an aide to Gen. Clark could not restrain near-riotous laughter when asked if there was anything behind the connection.

"I don't think it's anything more than an interesting coincidence," the aide said in between convulsions. "It's just because his PAC was named so well!"

Still, it's not as though the party is randomly naming each day of the convention. The theme for Thursday, when Obama will speak, is the familiar-sounding "Change You Can Believe In."

Comments

[JDJase]

I would like this to be true, however...

Being as the VP choice is such a secretive process, I just don't see how the BO campaign would be careless enough to let a slip like this (using the same slogan) happen and ruin the whole surprise of his announcement.

That being said, I still hope this is true lol

[roshni]

I think there's a lot of extrapolating going on. Only the 3 people in Obama's inner circle know who the candidate is and we'll know when they are ready to tell.
Clark would be a great candidate though.

[JDJase]

agreed

[eden4barack08]

Oh pleeeez, let this be true, please, please, please with sugar on top. An Obama/Clark ticket is a WINNER!

[Frenchy9]

I never pray for this kind of "earthly" things, but this time ... I do! Because C.Clark will make BO win, fore sure.

[yankee452]

Call me crazy....but I think the ideal candidate for Obama in a perfect world would be Colin Powell.

Now before you all lose your minds....consider it for a minute. Then remember that I said he would be ideal in a perfect world. Two African Americans leading a ticket?.....even I can admit that wouldnt ever happen in this country - though I don't see why not.

He is a seasoned legendary General. He is the founder of the Powell Doctrine, which would really serve us well as we witness the global balance of power shifting before our eyes. He is still universally admired and respected both within our borders and around the world. He is the only member of the Bush administration who can still claim to have significant credibilty. His presence alone would cast a a sober, established blanket around a fledgling movement within the party. This would placate many of the moderate republicans and independents who are weary of the White House being occupied by "crazy left loonies".

[bluestatehog]

I'm not trying to be rude, nor am I "losing my mind," but Colin Powell would be one of the worst possible VP choices for Barack Obama. As you alluded in your post, it's hard enough for some Americans to vote for a black man, and two on one ticket would be an extremely tough sell. Additionally, the Powell Doctrine constitutes everything that the Democratic Party is running against in 2008. Let's not forget that Colin Powell, good man though he may be, helped package and sell this war to the U.N. What's even more tough to stomach is the fact that he now claims to have disbelieved the very intelligence that he sited in his testimony before the U.N. Security Council. The Republicans would have a field day with this guy. His credibility was sapped the moment EOD teams started reporting that they couldn't find any WMDs.

[ESerafina42]

Agreed. A VP is also (little as we like to think it and hope and pray that he will never be called upon, at least during his boss's term), a potential LEADER. Powell has shown throughout his career that he is the good soldier, who doesn't lead, but follows orders, however wrong they may be. He also made his choice when he registered as a Republican. Clark is the flip side of Powell (has all the benefits and few if any of the liabilities), and he's a Democrat.

[Annette]

Terrible choice. If he hadn't lied to get us into the war I would be more in favor. There is his knowing lies. He has been loyal to Bush and still has kept quiet regarding Bush's leadup to the war. He may be loyal , but he doesn't realize inthe Us one is loyal to the Constitution and the country, no to the president. In my view a fatal flaw.

[zigzag1]

With what's going on in Georgia Wes Clark would be an even better choice

[gobarackgo]

I agree!!!

[MrsGreebers]

His fluent Russian would come in handy. But the thing is, being smart is so elitist..

[DonnaZ]

Plus with Clark you get a few extras. An Oxford Rhodes Scholar with a masters in economics, a foreign policy expert (senior fellow at UCLA), a person who actually worked at OMB, a world traveler who receives invitations to speak in the Gulf States, and a director of wind-energy company. Clark is an amazing man whose early life as an orphan launched a rise to the head of NATO and then beyond.

I don't know why we are considering people for the ticket whose history shows that they get everything wrong. I voted for Barack because he got it right so why would I want to see someone like Bayh on the ticket?

Let's have Clark. He actually likes the net roots.

[lizinatl]

Wesley Clark was Valedictorian of his class at West Point!!!!
that i know - the other - i'll research...

[nk007]

I really hope this is true. I have the highest respect for Gen. Clark. He speaks his mind and he is not afraid to challenge the "myth" of John McCain. If Obama choses Clark as his VP, he will cement his theme of "change we can believe in." The country desperately needs new leadership, and Obama/Clark ticket would offer new and refreshing leadership. Most Obama supporters I know are rooting for Clark. So I hope word gets back to Obama that this is our first choice. Please don't disappoint us.

[MrHaha]

im still holding out for biden, but clark would be a great pick. wouldnt mccain have to salute him? and honestly, i could care less about the "hillary" people. if they have their way, obama loses and the supreme court takes away abortion rights. they arent the crowd to take too seriously.

[Nolewoman]

I am with you. I really like Biden but would not be disappointed with General Clark at all.

[ESerafina42]

Biden = Zzzzzzzzzz­zzzzzzzzzz­zzzzzzzz. (Also, the ultimate Washington insider. What about that change?)

[enilorac]

Wesley Clark would be a GREAT PICK
he is is super smart, a communicator and with huge experience as head of NATO command several years back
this would be a proud ticket

[MrHaha]

would mccain have to salute him? can someone answer this?

[LeftVetPatriot]

YES!

[Annette]

Probably not, McCain isn't active duty.

[applespider]

When you say "salute"...you mean kiss his @ss, right?

I think so...

[strangelet]

I don't expect anyone to care, but I'd be okay with this. Among other things, I believe a lot of vets (and actives) would be a lot more comfortable with General Clark near the controls than with Captain McCain having them in his hands.

For another, this would be a modest bridge between the Obama and Clinton "wings" of the party.

Finally, the chances of a flag officer having un-vetted surprises in his history are pretty small.

I hadn't thought this was possible, but I like it a lot.

[yhgtup]

I hope this is true! I had just posted earlier that Gen. Clark was my first choice. Again, he's a "man's man". No nonsense, not afraid to speak his mind (which is one of the things Barack said he wanted in a v.p, someone who will disgree with him), not to mention his military exp.

[Solange]

With what's happening in Georgia right now, who could be better than Clark with is NATO background--and he's proven that he isn't afraid to take on McCain.

[bosshogg]

i think gen.clark is the only clinton associate that obama supporters will be happy with............ maybe this will be a win win for both sides.....­..........­.....

[eden4barack08]

I agree, and he's also the only one who came on board the Obama Camp post Hillary, without any reservations and with full throated support. A true, loyal, Democrat hero!

[roshni]

Well, Richardson did too, but he's not a likely VP choice for many reasons.
I give Richardson a lot of credit.

[Okieborn]

It has to be General Clark !!!!
What a "GREAT CHOICE" !!!

[pilgrim7]

I think it would be in America's best interests to have a man of Clark's stature, integrity, and intelligence on board as VP. I like his straightforward, no-nonsense attitude combined with wisdom and common sense. NTL I'm sure our furture president knows what he's doing and knows who will be the best fit for him and the country better than I do. Tough decision.

Obama '08

[Faith101]

He might be alright, but didn't he ge fired by the Clinton Admin? Could someone confirm or deny this?

[buddhistMonkey]

Denied.

[strangelet]

Yeah. Double denied.