Wesley Clark for VP!

The long delayed Wesley Clark for VP echo chamber has finally begun. On June 15, 2007, I made the first noise on the McLaughlin Group: "The Democratic presidential nominee, no matter who he or she may be, will choose General Wesley Clark as the vice presidential nominee." The first echo occurred today on Meet The Press when Bob Shrum said Barack Obama will pick someone with a military background "and I think Wes Clark might be it."

I'm not counting my own echo of myself in last week's New York Magazine where I laid out the rationale for Clark's inevitability -- Obama needs military experience on the ticket to counter McCain and, as a strong Hillary supporter, Clark provides something of a unity ticket for the Democrats.

The silly season of TV talk about Obama-Clinton, Clinton-Obama tickets is almost over. There was general agreement on Meet The Press today that Obama will consider military experience in choosing a VP. James Carville foolishly suggested Anthony Zinni and other politically untested generals. That will continue now that the conventional wisdom has settled on the military angle for VP. But no former general other than Wesley Clark will make it onto the short list in the end.

Yes, Clark was a bad campaigner in 2004. So was every other Democrat who lost the nomination to John Kerry. Clark has learned enough since then to survive a two-month, one-debate vice presidential campaign.

An Arkansas Democrat with a good smile, a great looking family, and career military experience -- that's what VP inevitability looks like. It seemed so obvious to me ten months ago that I rushed to get my prediction recorded before everyone else was saying it. Turns out I had more time than I thought.

Comments

[poppaculture]

i remember you saying it, Lawrence, because my wife and I had discussed it, too, and then were shocked (and happy) to hear you say it. I think Clark's the right man, and I hope (despite being a Clinton supporter) that he would be willing to join Obama (should the senator from Illinois win the nomination).

[jsinclair]

I like Clark, but is he really necessary? Maybe Obama will name many of his Cabinet choices in advance. Clark would be better in a Cabinet position than as VP. (Richardson or Webb are better VPs).

Does Obama really need a general to counter McCain's POW status in Vietnam 30 years ago? In 2004 the Democrats ran a decorated war hero against Bush, and Bush countered with Cheney (a man who relied on many deferments throughout the war he "supported"---since he wasn't well-connected enough for the Texas National Guard, as Bush was). And Gore ENLISTED, even though he could have taken the easy way out like Bush.

Even so, Bush/Cheney won. Twice. I think Clark's strengths could be better used elsewhere.

[IslandGyal]

You can't have a presidential ticket with two minority candidates, so Obama/Richardson is out. It's bad enough we are trying for the first Black, wow, let's see how it will be with a Black and a Hispanic; you want to talk about the Archie Bunker ticket?

[MrWinky]

I don't have a problem with Wes Clark, but you do make a heck of a point.

[ddoston10]

I agree. Richardson or the Gov of Virginia

[TheRebel82]

OH HELL NO! Jim Webb for VP!

[justwaitandsee]

Well we like him to....

[AurigaRa]

and one other thing -- Clarke continues to support Clinton.

I used to be a big fan and if Obama picks him I will support it wholehearedly.
But it's hard to forgive his choosing Clinton when there are so many negatives.
Oh well, guess like lots of folks, he thought she would win.

As for O'Donnell, I give his opinons about as much credence as the local Safeway ad insert.

[kellygrrrl]

you still have SafeWay? Wow! Thought they were long gone.

anyway, I have to admit, I've never seen Clark engage in any Obama bashing, so I still have a great deal of respect for the man.

[AurigaRa]

true
he is a man of character and ethics.
I wanted him to run for prez on '08.

We shall see,

[justwaitandsee]

YOU ARE FUNNY... But in Clark defense he hasn't been campaigning hard for Hillary.

[cmaff05]

Wesley Clark would be a good choice for Obama's VP. I would have said Hillary Clinton, but apparently she is now trying to be McCain's VP.

[MrWinky]

lol. That was great.