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

[LouisianaLiberal]

Wes Clark is my pick for VP as well. I think his comment questioning McBush's qualifications to be president was on point. Being shot down while napalming women and children makes one a good soldier, good at taking orders, not necessarily a qualification for good leadership. He was brave to say this and I wish Obama would pick him as VP. I think Clark’s war record rivals McBush’s, yet, like Eisenhower and many more military leaders, he knows war is a last resort after all diplomatic negotiations fail. The modern Republicans don’t seem to know this.

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I tried to post this and it was “deleted”. I’m not sure why but it happens to me sometimes and I’m not sure why. I’m following it up with an additional attempt. I’m trying to find out if this is a glitch or if Huffington is deleting some of my comments.

[SEQUOIABISON]

I am starting to warm up the band for Happy Days Are Here Again, Clark would almost guarantee a winning ticket in November.

What an incredibly great choice he would be, Clark is a liberal democrat who opposed the war from the beginning and will not step all over Obama's toes like Hillary and Bill would.

I have faith that my candidate will do the right thing and select the best possible choice imaginable, Wesley Clark, VP.

[BigLib]

Weasley Clark? Whose only foreign policy experience is almost getting us in a world war?

You're right, Barry. You're first decision is also your worse.

[barackobama4prez]

too bad no matter WHO JMac picks, he's still toast. Come back on Nov. 5th so I can say I told you so. dickhead.

[westcoastsc]

Explain how you can make such a statement. Why are your statements so different from your name? And why does your name calling sound so much like your character? Bill Clinton rode Wesley's success in Bosnia. Wesley made the right decision to defeat the people responsible for the atrocities.

[ema]

Yes. I am happy with this choice.

[Agnim]

Governor Napolitano or Sebelius for VP.

Obama can always load up his cabinet with former military people turned politicians.

What America needs in a VP is an administrator (Governor) to deal with the day to day affairs of running national bureaucracy.

John Kerry or Tom Kaine would be the alternatives.

[SaltySaltillo]

I don't think the VP's job is to run anything or do anything other than remain prepared to step into the President's shoes on a moment's notice. You've been living too long under the puppet presidency of Bush if you think the VP has a role in the "day to day affairs of running national bureaucracy". Under a normal presidency, that's the president's job.

[westcoastsc]

Tell that to Cheney, our ghost president.

[Pquilson]

You forget that the VP is the President of the Senate. He/she also has to attend funerals in the stead of the Executive.

[bujeeboo]

Please no. No milque-toast Napolitano or Sebelius VPs. NO John Kerry. (I can hear the "elitist" and "effete" charges now.)

BO needs another non-mainstream, non-Washington insider, non-politician like himself. Wes Clark would be fantastic.

[Marlyn]

"What America needs in a VP is an administrator"

and Wes Clark was Supreme Commander of NATO. How's that for "administrator"?

[westcoastsc]

Thank you.

[Pquilson]

Generally, historically, VP is selected to bring votes the candidate would not necessarily get. Wes Clark does not bring that. I would be most surprised to see him as the VP.

[DennyCrane]

As much as I would love to see Sebelius be the running mate, she won't get it for two reasons. One, the Hillary supporters will be angry if Obama picks another woman, proving that women can be just as sexist as men. And two, the current crisis with Russia and Georgia shows that Obama needs someone who gives him foreign policy cred. Sebelius doesn't bring that.

[lisak2008]

Yes! I hope it's Wes. McCain's folks know that he's not afraid to call their war-monger of candidate on his BS and lack of executive experience. Plus, added bonus: He'll pulverize that phony Romney in any debate!

[drea31]

i just went to the website and I now think it will be Clark. That would explain why Bill Clinton will speak on the same day as the VP, both are from Ark. it makes sense. Clark can out and blast John McCain and he didn't have a comeback because Gen. Wes Clark trumps him big time. He got some heat from the MSM and he didn't back down. this will be nice to see, if it happens.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Yeah I hope so. He sure didn't back down.

[Marlyn]

" I now think it will be Clark. "

Oh yes, yes, please let it be Wes Clark.

[LouisianaLiberal]

Wes Clark is my pick for VP. His statement questioning McBush's qualifications to be president based upon being shot down while napalming women and children makes him a good soldier (good at taking orders) not necessarily a good leader or president. Clark was on point while espousing his opinion and I think he should still be on the short list for VP.

[jsinclair]

Wishful thinking (mine, too).

They haven't had Clark front-and-center since the POW thing. It won't be Clark. (But good catch!)

[HornAndSaxGuy]

Hi Jsinclair,

I'm going to have to disagree with you. It makes total sense that Clark's been far from front and center – he's the pick and the Obama campaign has been trying to keep it quiet. Obama's team has shown a clear preference for drama (The Victory Column in Germany) and they've been trotting out decoys (Reed, Kaine, Bayh, etc.) to throw everyone off the trail of who the VP nominee is really going to be (Clark). They caught a break with the Clark-Schieffer dust up and haven't had to dodge face questions about Clark as a possibility.

I think naming the Wednesday night theme "Securing America's Future" is really a veiled thumb-in-the-eye message to the McCain camp that they are about to experience extreme discomfort in the form of Wes Clark verbal brass knuckles. It's the same type of message that Obama's campaign sent Hillary Clinton when they hired Patty Solis Doyle to be the VP's chief of staff: "f--- with us and suffer the consequenc­es."

I'm loving every minute of this and look forward to the Obama-Clark announcement in the next week or so.

[WoodyIV]

I would love Wes Clark as VP

[Lindy222]

Me too. Now if we could just get John Kerry to quit throwing Clark under the bus.

[booksnmore4you]

A Magic 8 Ball may be just as accurate.