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 as well as by the director of WesPAC that he would not be attending.

Clark 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

Comments

[Rider]

06:39 AM on 08/18/2008

Surely this has to be a head fake? If it's true it is really boneheaded­. Either way, I don't believe it's going to stand. I predict they will find a spot for him to speak or maybe to introduce someone. Clark is also the ONLY VP choice I've heard about that's worth a cr*p. The other senators are all part of the problem in Washington­! Wesley Clark takes national security off the table and lets Obama concentrat­e on other issues. No brainer imo. I really wil be shocked if Clark is not the VP. Obama is running on his judgement. Let's see if he's really got the right stuff.

[deminmo]

10:11 PM on 08/17/2008

Obama would be making a big mistake not to consider
Wesley Clark for VP. Obama has a lot of "stuff" hanging
over his head from Corsi and some unanswered questions
in general. If he intends to win the election, he needs a strong
military connection­. That is what McCain has going for him,
his constant reference to his time as a POW. I hope Colin
Powel is there in the plans.

[berryessence]

03:51 PM on 08/17/2008

THIS IS UGLY! AND IF HRC GETS ALL THOSE VOTES AND TRY TO TAKE OVER THE CONVENTION

I WILL NOT BE VOTING AND MOOVING TO CANADA

[ljm]

06:33 PM on 08/16/2008

Wes Clark has worked his butt off for the Democratic party the last 5 years. I am very upset about this news. I will be seeing Kathleen Sebelius next week and will tell her how upset I am about this offense to Wes Clark.

[valleygent]

04:22 PM on 08/23/2008

It is an affront to the military and to Veterans in this country. Wes Clark must be allowed to speak at the convention and it will prove to be a mistake that Obama passed him up on the ticket. Obama and Biden need to watch their words closely in regard to Veterans. I heard Biden's "good soldier" comment today and I was disappoint­ed and disgusted that one who never served his country in uniform used this kind of language. We are at war...let'­s have some respect for our Military. By all means, please speak with the DNC on this gaffe.

[closetodemfection]

04:32 PM on 08/16/2008

O is handing this thing to HRC. Even though, admittedly­, I want that to happen, I am baffled at his recent behavior. Wes Clark, Ed Rendel, J Jackson, Gore - none of them at the convention - and yet he gives primetime slots to MO, her brother and O's sister?! What do they have to do with speaking on behalf of the Dem. party? This is insanity. Sorry.

[closetodemfection]

09:17 PM on 08/16/2008

Whoops, I meant Charlie Rangel... although Rendell will probably be next on his list.

[reverendadam]

03:16 PM on 08/16/2008

I just don't get it. If this is true, what could possibly be the rationale? Are they afraid Clark's presence will remind voters of the clear-eyed comments he made about McCain's qualificat­ions? But why worry about that when McCain is running around refusing to repudiate even the lowest, and most false attacks on Obama?

What does the Obama camp know that we don't? Because Clark might be the most credible Democrat on security issues, with the least amount of political baggage or PR vulnerabil­ities.

Maybe it's a head fake. Because at this point, excluding Clark - a fresh, smart, lucid, post-parti­san presence in the party - just makes no sense and trying to figure out the logic is driving me nuts. Not the least of which because Obama's campaign is making such a push in the South.

[LondonLee]

06:03 PM on 08/16/2008

If this is correct it's going to a huge surprise because he's certainly the man for job.
Biden and Bayh are listed to speak on the Wed's evening, it would surely be too obvious if it were either of them.

Lee ( London )