Obama to General Wesley Clark: Your Services Not Needed

(General Wesley Clark speaking at Yearly Kos Convention in Chicago, 2007)

General Wesley Clark is not attending the Democratic National Convention. I was told by General Clark's personal office in Little Rock that he would not be attending.

He was informed by Barack Obama's people that there was no reason to come.

General Clark has been given no role of any kind at the convention.

Rubbing salt in the wound even more, the "theme" of Wednesday's Democratic convention agenda is "Securing America."

Wesley Clark's PAC also happens to be called SECURING AMERICA.

This is a mistake in my view. There are a lot of perspectives and competing agendas about how to direct America's next national security posture -- and General Wesley Clark should be one of the top tier names and personalities at the table.

Clark is loved by the netroots -- and I'm sure that they would hope that the Obama campaign will revisit this decision to exclude General Wesley Clark from the entire Democratic National Convention ageda.

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Update: I have reconfirmed with General Wesley Clark's office that he has not been asked to play a role at the Democratic National Convention. His staff have told me that while his schedule remains tight, he would rearrange his schedule to help play any constructive role on any days of the convention if asked.

Comments

[ellim]

They use the name of General Clark's PAC for the theme of the evening and then (supposedly) tell him he has no role to play at the convention? At best, that's extremely rude. Wesley Clark does have a ton of support with netroots. Heck, they drafted him to run in 2004. He's continued to be a responsive, engaged voice for Democrats since then, and through WesPAC and Votevets has done an enormous amount of work for the Democratic party and progressive values in this country.

I can only hope this apparent snub is overstated and we will be seeing General Clark at the convention in some meaningful capacity. His vision of America's role in the world, as a world player and not an imperialistic bully, is exactly the vision we need after 8 years of the present neoconservative regime. The experienced leadership of a man like Wes Clark should not be diminished or dismissed so callously.

For those wondering what he brings to the party beyond military experience, it's much more than I can easily summarize here. Read his Wikipedia entry (easy to find using the google) and look at both the blog and his position papers on the WesPAC site: http://securingamerica.com

[colleen2]

"He's continued to be a responsive, engaged voice for Democrats since then"

Sure, if you consider signing on as a contributor on fox news and then a stint as Mrs Clinton's surrogate, "responsive and engaged".

[ellim]

Yes, I do. For a Democrat of Gen. Clark's caliber to go into the Lion's Den of Fox News to present their audience with his perspective? That's a very good thing indeed. I am sick of the notion that one should only listen to or talk to the people who agree with them. I think that's been one of the Republicans' most insidious legacies: this kind of divisive, black-or-white approach to complex issues. It's a good way to remain ignorant. So I say kudos to any Democrat who talks to the opposition, or who tries to inform those folks covered in a steaming pile of neoconservative propaganda.

And why should I have a problem with his supporting Senator Clinton's campaign? I may not have been a Clinton supporter myself, but last time I checked she was, in fact, a liberal Democrat, and she came pretty darn close to getting her party's nomination.

[useyourbrain]

I am not netroots and donated to Clark's campaigns for President. You don't need to be glued to the internet to realize Clark is about the best qualified to be VP and President. You just have to have ears and eyes.

[PumaAnn]

Boy, the O supporters aren't commenting on this thread much. :)

[gvc]

I'm not commenting because I seen no direct quote, only some second-order hearsay impressions of what a C staffer related to the author about what an O staffer said. "Your services ..." is strictly a fabrication.

So what's to comment on?

[colleen2]

"Clark is loved by the netroots"

This seems considerably overblown and exaggerated. Clark has a few hundred devotees who read and participate on nominally Democratic blogs and who tend to try to crush anyone who disagrees with them. I know a good many people who participate online and wouldn't vote for this Clintonista if you paid them.

.

[PumaAnn]

Most O supporters are lemmings. Now that Clark has indicated he was rebuffed, they will rebuff him.

Contrast this to last weeks posts.

LOL*

They just sip that kool-aid.

[Clevelanded]

What's ironic about this critique of Obama supporters is that Clinton's inability to maintain discipline in her campaign and amongst her supporters is the biggest reason she is not the nominee.

I personally like Clark and would've like Clark for VP, but I think it is Obama's decision.

[RedDogBear]

Right on. As usual most Americans have virtually no historical memory. Clark was initially FOR the Iraq war. He was one of those talking heads on the cable news channels saying why we had to invade. And his great humanitarian mission to Boznia is seen by much of the world as yet one more example of US imperialism albeit disguised a bit more convincingly than the Iraq invasion ever was as for "humanitarian" reasons. People forget, or perhaps most don't know, that in Bosnia we sided WITH Islamic extremists who were directly tied to Al Queda. And that we weren't defending people against genocide, rather we were backing one group of terrorists over another and by our intervention were inflaming more violence. There was no genocide before the US started bombing. Clark represents the democratic version of war mongering. A little less bloody and with more convincing humanitarian rationales but still war mongering just the same.

[NotMcCain]

Clark was NOT for invading Iraq. I don't know why you would say that. I don't know how you can say there was no genocide in the Balkans, either. If anything we waited much too long.

As for "loved by netroots"--Clark has an extensive list of supporters (thousands) that he emailed when Obama won the nomination, urging them to give him full support.

Many progressives (myself among them) really like Clark. If you saw the reception he received at Netroots Nation you would know he has a lot of support from liberal bloggers around the country.

[Clevelanded]

This is a bit of revisionist history.

To say the genocide in Bosnia was caused by US interference is just lying and indefensible.

Additionally, all Muslim populations are not intrinsically "directly tied to Al Queda."

Stopping a genocide isn't war-mongering.

[elleng]

And you have NO historical memory; General Clark opposed the Iraq war, in Congress, BEFORE.

see securingamerica.com.

[bluehorizon]

Whats with all the love for Clark? So he's a general, who cares? You all are dreaming if you think he's going to be the VP.

[mshazen]

It's not about him being VP, it is about the fact that he has supported Obama and has been very outspoken or have you not been listening. Many Democrats have stayed on the sidelines and done nothing, he should at least be invited to the convention it is rude to say the least.

[coollbreezz]

All indicators lead to Wesley Clark as VP.

[NotMcCain]

NO indicators lead to Wesley Clark as VP. Or even part of the cabinet.

Unfortunately.

[bluehorizon]

i hope not.

[abigail1]

why not?
I am honestly asking, I haven't heard many objections to Clark and I wonder what yours are.

[mlaiuppa]

I don't think so.

[morne]

Barack Obama has not displayed any kind of rudeness during the campaign, he has been more than polite to everyone, so I find it hard to believe that he would be rude to gen. Clark. This gathering of party officials and activists takes place once every four years. Why would gen. Clark arrange to have dinner in Milan during the convention?????? I am not buying this story.

[AnaisKarim]

I agree. Wesley Clark is the VP. I can't wait for him to rip McSame a NEW ONE and line it with salt. LOL

[Heavenhelpusall]

What should be made of Obama mentioning Sam Nunn?

Who has been vetted? Any takers?

[RiseHillary]

Sen. Nunn is responsible for the "don't ask, don't tell' policy, and even tho he has recently said he was wrong.....­....there are many people who hold him responsible for it, including BC.

[SEQUOIABISON]

I think he will be at the convention as our VP.

Obama/Clark

[SamwiseTheBrave]

It would be a shame if the headline "Your Services Not Needed" wasn't just an inference by Clark drawn from his being told that he had no scheduled role. I would go absolutely crazy if it turned out that the flip-side inference were true: that Clark has no scheduled role (yet) because he's about to be tapped by Obama as his running mate.

Clark is a perfect fit for Obama for many reasons. He was against the war in Iraq from the start. He assists the "change" meme by not being an "old-politics Washington insider." He has extensive military experience and is a Southerner, which can help Obama seal the deal in some Southern states where it's already tantalizingly close, like Virginia. In terms of demeanor, he mirrors Obama's calm, self-assured and thoughtful style.

Moreover, as Russia seems poised to become a world power, perhaps a superpower, once again, it will reassure many Americans to see a Democratic ticket with a former NATO Commander who also speaks fluent Russian. And in addition to his being exceptionally intelligent (a Rhodes scholar with degrees in Philosophy, Politics and ECONOMICS), Wes Clark is someone with a devoted progressive following. Placing him on the ticket will drive enthusiasm on the left even higher while exciting wavering independents to make the correct choice.

Obama/Clark 08!

[useyourbrain]

almost a perfect vetting summary. I would add:

Born Jewish
Raised Protestant
Converted to Catholicism as an adult
Vietnam War Hero
Won a war in Bosnia (the first win for the USA since WWII)
Not an idealogue (voted for GHB in 1992 and GWB in 2000)
Taught Economics at West Point
Graduated at the head of his class.
While McCain has experience as a prisoner of war, Clark ran an army.
Can speak in clear full sentences spontaneously.
Would wipe any RNC VP off the map, as well as McCain

[strandwolf]

Some of that stuff is deal-killing for me...voted for GW over Gore? Screw the guy.

[mnash]

I think there is some hard feelings. Clark made comments how much better HRC was for president and should be the one. And he thought he would be picked for the VP

[ning3000]

I'm stunned. No wonder Obama fell in the polls. What happened to the inclusive democratic party? Clark is a great draw for hard to reach voters. He could have pulled new people in from otherwise unreachable territory. He's practically the only one of the bunch who resonates with people outside the party without turning half republican to do so.

This is bad in a long line of bad moves. I'm tired of explaining, making excuses for him and his campaign. It's high-handed and disrespectful to treat people like this. Obama's acting like he has this wrapped up, he's been that way for a long time and it's cost him his lead in he polls. It's no one's fault but his. I'm feeling bitterly regretful of the money I spent on a candidate I thought was better than this. I'm asking for a refund of the substantial donations I made. I feel like a fool. I pay through the nose so he can let it slip through his fingers by acting snotty.

Clark is a good man, a great man, and a beloved man. He's the real hero McCain wishes he was and a brilliant, experienced military strategist and scholar with genuine concern for the good of all people. So let's slap him in the face. Looks like the Obama campaign is telling everyone and their supporters to go screw, he really has bought his own hype.

For the first time, I think McCain could win this...

[allonfla]

Clark not going to the convention is not why Obama fell - a lie - in the polls!!! Where do you guys get this garbage from?

[ning3000]

Excuse me, but if you read my post carefully this Clark thing is just the latest (and rude) in a long line of mishaps and blunders that have cost Obama in the polls, but not just the polls. It's building a bad image. He's been straining relationships with his base for a good long while now. His lead has been slowly degrading and if it continues the way it has been going, not good. Don't believe me? You don't have to. Check the numbers yourself. By the way I get my information daily from real clear politics and 538 and yeah, his numbers have slipped. Those sites collect all the polls. I'm concerned McCain may be the next president. But if you think Obama's okay and has basically got this thing all locked up, you're certainly entitled to that opinion. I'm not going to bury my head, frankly I did that with Kerry without even realizing what I was doing. Sealed in the echo chamber sure he'd win. Not this time. Not again. The democratic candidate has to work harder for it. This is unacceptable.

[buddhistMonkey]

One minute, Clark is on Obama's short list for VP, the next minute Obama's campaign is saying to keep away from the convention, because "there was no reason to come?" Baloney.

My money says Clark will appear at the convention. Maybe they will work it out so that his good friend Bill Clinton could introduce him, right after Bill's speech on Wednesday night.

[bluehorizon]

never was on the shortlist.

[OrganOfThought]

I am very surprised that no one talks about Joe Sestak as a possibility. He seems to have everything needed. Is there some baggage I don't know about?

He is superbly experienced in the military, is currently in the Congress, is from Pennsylvania and speaks well on TV. You can find the video where he tells off Hannity.

[RiseHillary]

He too was one of the 35 retired Generals and Admirals who supported Hillary. That in itself should have told the country something.

[DereksDontRun]

It's going to be Biden.

[LoreliK]

Steve, I'm surprised you can't see the writing on the wall. I love Biden...bu­t Obama has said repeatedly 'No old Washington­'...Clark has been very quiet lately except a recent CNN appearance. It wasn't long ago that the Clark staff was unusually giddy. This now coming from his staff is just the distracting tactic to keep the VP choice secret until the announcement at the Democratic Convention. The theme of the evening is a dead giveaway..­.

Other than Biden, Clark is the only VP choice that would invigorate the campaign..­.Other choices are bland and a hard sell. The writing IS on the wall...

Obama/Clark '08

[vernbvb]

While General Clark may not have yet received his invitation to the Convention, I cannot believe that Senator Obama would tell his office "there is no reason to come". Is this a fact or someone's interpretive explanation of why General Clark has not received an invitation. I certainly hope that an invitation is forthcoming as i have so much respect for General Clark and am an ardent supporter of Obama. Someone please tell me that it was just a human (or computerized) oversight and the invitation is in the mail so to speak.

[allonfla]

It is someone elses interpretation - at the end of the article it says those close to Clark may .........

[Freesia2]

This doesn't sound right. This isn't Obama's style. Even if he were dismissing Clark for some reason, he wouldn't handle it this way. And I doubt Clark would either, having his staff be quite so blunt this close to a convention unless there was something more to it.

Something else is going on.

[NotMcCain]

That isn't either one's style either--the fake-out. I think we have to accept it at face value.

Unfortunately.

[ning3000]

Well, remember the great plane fake-out with Hillary Clinton and a plane full of reporters headed to Chicago sans Obama? That's where I hang my thin sliver of hope, but, no I don't buy it either.