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

[Benmyoho]

Yes, I want Gen. Wesley Clark as VP to President Hillary Rodham Clinton. But for a president Barrack Hussein Obama? Nah. Totally weird.

[Marlyn]

Yeah, it seems odd, since Clark supports Hillary.

[ChazAtlas]

Lawrence, I got you beat on this one. I am on record going back to Jan 07 that Clark would be an awesome VP candidate in 08 regardless of the nominee. You see us peons have as much sense as you guys/girls that get paid for this stuff. Just like it was the "little people" who said we should have not gone into Iraq but to have first brought Osama to justice. Oh well.

[Querent]

Yeah, you claimed it first, so now you get the booby prize instead of Lawrence. LOL.

[ElodieStClair]

People have been saying this since round about August of 2003. So, I'm not sure either you gets the prize.

[Dan Stewart]

What a great point, ChazAtlas: "Just like it was the "little people" who said we should have not gone into Iraq..."

We were saying don't go into Iraq when guys like Lawrence were debating the finer points of the invaison -- and saying everybody thought Iraq had WMD. Of course, that didn't matter for most of us: Iraq didn't threaten us and didn't want war, hence, the war was imoral, illegal and unecessary. Lawrence had to see it fail before arriving at the same conclusion. Now, he thinks he on to something with Clark -- and he wrong there too. He should have picked Webb.

[Kache]

Some "military credentials" may not seem at all important by November. The Oct 1 provincial elections in Iraq may change the equation dramatically. Iraqis are poised to implement the Biden Plan (partitioning) all on their own, per their Constitution. That may change the landscape of our election more than anything else, like who's on the #2 spot on the ticket.

[Dan Stewart]

Keep dreamin' -- the landscape in Iraq will be no different a decade from now. In fact, it won't change til we leave. They fight because we're there. When we leave, they'll stop. You've been watching far too much FOX News my man.

[Dan Stewart]

No matter what happens in Iraq, Obama will still be running against a Rep neocon McCain.

Kache get my nomination for the stupidist comment so far.

[bimplebean]

I like this idea a lot except for the fact that Clark is a Hillary Clinton supporter. If he accepts the gig that would be hard to explain away...

[ChazAtlas]

Not hard to explain at all. Clark would do it because being a Clinton supporter it would help with the unity of the party plus as the good soldier he is, when asked to serve he would serve.

[Kenji]

If Obama is the party's candidate (and he is), where would the conflict be?

[StuDavis2004]

Wes Clark would be a perfect unifier for the Democratic Party. Obama should select a Clinton supporter.

[bjames]

Personally I prefer Sen. Webb and this is why!

Jim Webb hails from the state of Virginia and Sen. Obama who I believe will be the nominee did very well in that state beating Sen. Clinton by some 30 points. In Virginia Sen. Obama did very well with Independents and republicans.

With Jim Webb on the tickett I believe this would put Virginia in play for the dems. Although I believe Wes Clark would also be a good choice and may help take Arkansas, I would rather win Virginia which has far more electrol votes.

Either way a military man as Veep would certainly make it nearly impossible for the republicans to win!

[Nathalie]

Plus Jim Webb is a great campaigner, and Clark is a terrible campaigner.

[bjames]

Yes very true Nathalie!

In 2004 Wes Clark showed us that he cannot speak well in political terms. Not only that the Gop knows what to expect from him. Jim Webb is a well spoken and passionate advocate for his positions much like Sen. Obama!

[CenterLeftLawyer]

Virginia is turning Blue (with a Democratic governor, a senator and likely another senator winning in November) for the first time in a long time. Do we want to create an opening for the Republicans by creating a vacancy in Webb's Senate seat?
How does VA replace US senators only 21 months into a 6 year term? Does the governor select someone or is there a special election?
Anybody have any idea who the likely replacemen­ts/candida­tes would be? Remember we also are working on a filibuster proof Senate ( a stretch yes, but a goal).

[ChazAtlas]

I don't think Webb will leave the Senate. He is relatively new there and has a long future ahead of him either in the US Senate or he could run as Governor. The bottom line is that he very well may be a presidential candidate himself in 2012 or 2016.

[Dan Stewart]

Why must he leave the Senate, Lieberman didn't when he ran?

[plages]

You've hit it right on the head. President Obama would pick Gen. Clark as an exceptional Sec. of Defense, while Sen. Webb would make the ideal V.P., then up to President in 2016, through 2024, as someone has to clean up everything, with a bit of fumigation of "OUR" White House!

[Marlyn]

"Gen. Clark as an exceptional Sec. of Defense"

YES, I like it.

[biglover]

I agree with bjames. I think Webb is a better choice. Having said that, I have a tremendous amount of respect for Clark so either way he can't lose. The republicans can't win no matter what unless they steal the election and the way the voter turnout seems to be, there is no way they can steal that many votes. That's my HO

[Marlyn]

"there is no way they can steal that many votes." ???

Don't forget that a HUGE number of voters will be using those electronic voting machines for which there is NO WAY to verify the tally.

[Boadicea]

I think Jim might be my first choice, too. I think he has great energy, and a strong, positive approach to political discourse. Definitely a good contender. Honest.

And after so many years of warmongering in the White House with absolutely no military experience among the mongers, I think Americans feel that we need some military experience in the White House that is NOT committed to continuing the fiasco in Iraq for decades. That war is breaking our budget and our country.

[go4thegold]

Larry, you're nothing but of ten cents short of a dollar. Obama, if he's the nominee, will pick a non military man/woman. He will most likely go for a woman and most likely go for a sitting Governor or Senator... Look for someone like Claire McCaskill from, I think, Missouri or the woman Gov of Kansas, I think it is... He doesn't need more military..­. That's what Cheney was. No more Bush politics..­. We're cutting from that and going fresh. With people who will protect America by making it's brand strong once again, worldwide. So Larry, go back to picking daisies. You're no longer a voice for the Democrats. D.

[ChazAtlas]

Obama will not pick a woman as VP. Period.

[Rowena]

Why? Don't you think that would mollify some disaffected Hillary supporters?

[Boadicea]

It would be a huge risk, definitely.

[Ramus]

If Hillary Clinton were to be the nominee (which looks now like an impossibilty) she would chose Wes Clark as her running mate. He even agreed with her Kyl/Lieberman vote. So it's a good thing she won't be the nominee. Obama will pick Richardson­..The appeal of our miltary isn't such and big deal now that they have been revealed to be led by the morally challenged. (aside, did anyone one see the "Like it is" segment..o­f Iraq war veteras that was on ABC midday sunday?..w­ow)

[biglover]

Obama will not pick Richardson.

[Rowena]

I agree. The smartest choice for Obama would be a woman sitting governor, like Janet Napolitano of Arizona, or Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. Both are smart, articulate and personable, and both are very popular in red states, and both have been very effective governors. I think those who think Obama needs a military vice-president are deeply wrong. And he would certainly never choose Wes Clark even if he did pick a military VP. Wes Clark constantly misspeaks and is not very respected in the military community to boot. Plus, he's been a vocal Clinton surrogate.

[rjcrane]

Sebalius [sp?] and McCaskill are both good elected officials but neither has enough experience at the federal decison making level and the Dems don't want to give up McCaskill's senate seat either. Obama really needs a white male on the ticket because that is a demographic he will need more help attracting against a McCain. And he definitely needs someone with lots of foreign policy experience which neither of these woman have. Sorry but I don't agree here.

RJ Crane, topplebush.com

[Dan Stewart]

The big QUESTION:

Who is better for VP?

CLARK or WEBB

[Exit]

Obama-Clark or Obama-Webb can not be beat. I approve.

[THEhillbilly]

" On June 15, 2007, I made the first noise on the McLaughlin Group:..."

Reminds me of early grade school-- "I knew it before you did...neen­er neener."

Anyway, the term you're looking for is "VP candidate.­"

[Democrab]

Have to agree with you on this one, Lawrence, no matter who the dem nominee is.

[kirksong]

I think General Wesley Clark would be a great choice. However, he has shown up, repeatedly, standing behind Senator Clinton during the few primaries she won. He gave his support early for Hillary - who put him on the very short list for V.P. in the event she miraculously wins the nomination. Other than not choosing to support the candidate I prefer - he is a solid force in the democratic party. His clear, rational, and intelligent communication style can only help. His successful and honorary military career will also give either candidate credibility - will definitely help with independents, soccer moms, and Obamicans.­..

[DoninJoisey]

I lost a lot of respect for Clark when he endorsed Hillary. Clearly what he thought at the time was a politically safe bet, but it reduced him in my esteem as someone who would look out for what's best for our country, not just what's best for himself.

[Marlyn]

"I lost a lot of respect for Clark when he endorsed Hillary."

Me too, but they are all from Arkansas (Hill, Bill & Clark), and know each other well.
Bill Clinton used to say that Wes Clark was their secret weapon.

[Mojane]

VP is usually a lame place to be, until you have to step in to take over (freakin God forbid!), but you gotta want that person to be someone you want as president.­...Wes Clark? Please. Get real. The man is a wimp. Jim Webb, Secy of Defence maybe. Mark Warner?

[naschkatze]

If Obama is our candidate, God willing and I think he will be, it will be his prerogative to select his running mate as it has been for all candidates in the past. I don't like this discussion that the party is somehow going to foist someone on him, Clinton, Clark, whoever. He is the smartest candidate we have have in a long time, and he will make the best choice as he sees it. Granted, he needs to be tougher, but he is a fast learner under Clinton's trashy campaign and will be ready for the Republicans in the Fall. My personal hope is that he will pick as the VP candidate someone who will do him the most good demographically across the country in garnering votes. On the surface, a white male military Southerner would seem to be a good choice, but I don't really know how Clark is perceived by his peers in those categories. And as I replied to someone down the thread, to talk only of Clark and Webb is based mostly on name recognition and on a single issue.

[ranchobob]

I would love to see Mr. Clark as VP or sec. def.

[Sammy1]

Agreed, Gen Clark ,while not the most impressive politician in the field ,(not that there's anything wrong with that) is too valuable a national asset to not have serve in some capacity in national government. I'd prefer, hands down, to see him as VP but I'd settle for Defense.
Webb is my first choice for Defense.

[GayGrandpa]

Yeah I think a tough Southern military man would be great especially if Colin Powell runs with McCain. I like Webb...Cla­rk is great but comes across wimpy compared to Webb's style of no bull. Webb is crisp and in combination with Obama, formidable. Webb's tenacity and integrity will equal if not trump Powell's and Obama will make McCain look old, ill tempered and senior moment filled. OBAMA/WEBB = FORMIDABLE! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

[Dan Stewart]

There's no way in the world that Powell will run with McCain. Powell learned his lesson, is filled with regret and is diametrically opposed to the strategy that McCain embraced. Forget about it.

[bodhibabe]

I agree, Powell will not run with McCain. He seems to be an Obama fan.

[ChazAtlas]

Powell will not run with McCain. All the Dems will have to do is run video of Powell sitting before the U.N. lying about WMD's and the build up to the failed War in Iraq. The GOP knows this. Actually if Obama wins the White House, look for Powell to be Obama's Sec. of Defense.

[GayGrandpa]

Powell...S­ecretary of State for President Obama...I LIKE THAT! I like that a lot! Iwould be great for the country and it would give the good man a chance to redeem himself. LIKE IT!

[Boadicea]

I see Powell fitting well into any upcoming administration.

We all know the truth - Powell really had little choice about going to the UN, and did it under great duress. I don't excuse his decision to serve his president loyally rather than resign due to his conscience - but it would be a difficult choice for anyone and I can't say I'd have done differently.

Powell is a very smart man, knowledgable and experienced. He'd be an asset to any administration. But his mistake at the UN and/or his later rejection of Bush policy has made him unelectable on either ticket.

[Marlyn]

"Powell sitting before the U.N. lying about WMD's"

and because of this Colin Powell has NO INTEGRITY. Thus it would be a TERRIBLE MISTAKE to include him in any way.