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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: American Spirit who wrote (26421)	8/26/2003 9:20:28 AM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 89467

Clark set to enter 2004 race hoypuhloy.blogspot.com Sunday, August 24, 2003 <<...The summer rumor mill is working overtime with all kinds of fantasy 2004 ticket predictions and no one's name has popped up more on those lists then charismatic southerner General Wesley Clark's. The frequent CNN military analyst, former 4-star general and NATO Supreme Allied Commander is often listed as the Dem's dream VP. The reality is that Clark is poised to announce his bid for the top spot. No less than Democratic get-out-the-vote guru Donna Brazile, made a bit of a "pre-announcement" the other day. Given her vast connections, Brazile no doubt speaks with informed speculation. Particularly given that Clark has sought advice from Brazile. Further setting the table for a Clark bid, Clark himself ratcheted up his critique of President Bush's bungling of Iraq and Afghanistan in past few days. Clark also stepped down as an analyst for CNN - further raising the stakes. Clark reportedly privately called supporters of his candidacy and told them to "crank it up." Clark has seen a groundswell of support from regular everyday Americans. But, of course, Clark is not short on big time, connected friends. In fact, some report that the vaunted Clinton fund-raising machine will leap into action to assist the General's campaign. It now appears that the former Rhodes Scholar, (he studied economics at Oxford) who finished first in his class at Westpoint, is about to get a big boost from more Democratic heavyweights. The scuttlebutt and corner whispering for the last few days at one of my favorite Capitol Hill watering holes has been on the prospect of high-profile Congressional Dems Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden openly endorsing Clark when he announces. (Brazile predicts the announcement by the end of this month, but I think its more likely Clark will announce right after Labor Day since so many Americans are on vacation in Aug.). I'd typically dismiss this bar talk as summer shenanigans and Hill interns attempting to sound like they know something, but signs are there that these or at least similar high profile endorsements are in the offing. Today this report was published that Clark will announce "backed by powerful members of the United States Congress." Its no secret that Pelosi has reached out to Clark. (Yes, Pelosi endorsed Gep in May, but this is DC where things change when necessary!!). And, Biden has now made it official that he will not run for the top spot in 2004 and has long been a tough military advocate and critic of how Bush is handling Iraq, so a Biden push for Clark shouldn't come as a surprise. (Biden's endorsement will no doubt be seen as angling for the VP nod from Clark.) With growing concerns over this mishandling of Iraq, the bungling of Afghanistan, Bush's dropping the ball on finding Bin Laden, letting the Taliban reform, and a strong yearning for true leadership in the war on terror, Clark will be a force. Clark will speak credibly on the economy as well. (pointing to all the unemployed Americans won't be too hard anyway!) This month's Esquire - read by all those coveted Nascar Dads, young professionals, and thirty-something "guy's guys" - anoints Clark as the man who can beat Bush. Clark may not finish at the top or even high in the NH and Iowa primaries, where there are strong anti-war activist networks who will be wary of voting for a former General. But, Clark doesn't need to win NH or Iowa. As a political novice, expectations will be low to start, but you can take it to the bank that he'll be among or at the top on Super Tuesday when a broader spectrum of Democratic supporters will go to the polls. Supporters in his native Little Rock are lobbying for Clark's home state of Arkansas to move up its primary to give Clark an early victory to build momentum. And, when the Big Dog officially comes out for Clark most of the traditional Democratic base will coalesce into a formidable field army for the General. Clark will also pull in droves of swing-voters, independents, and significant numbers of "McCain Republicans." Bush's dirt machine led by Karl Rove will try to sling mud at Clark, but Bush's dwindling numbers will expose the dirty tricks as desperate acts. You'll see Clark run a positive campaign in the primary built on his integrity and credibility on attacking Bush on security and foreign affairs by offering real alternatives and solutions. Clark will not slice up his opponents like the knife fights between Lieberman vs. rest of the field and Kerry vs. Dean. And, once he knocks them out of the race, don't be surprised if Clark doesn't tap John Edwards and Dick Gephardt for posts in his shadow cabinet, Attorney General and Labor respectively. Bob Graham of Florida is a possible Homeland Security chief, but he will likely run and win a third term in the Senate. Former Clinton UN Ambassador Richard Holbrooke is a possible Secretary of State, or possibly even George Mitchell. And, former Clinton DOD chief William Cohen could resurface as an NSC advisor for Clark. Now, here's my big prediction...Clark will tap fellow southerner Mary Landrieu to be his running mate! The Louisiana Senator, is a strong woman with military and foreign policy credentials and southern charm to make this one heck of a 1-2 punch. And, she proved she can beat the Bush/Rove spin machine. Tell me that doesn't make sense. Mark it down that you heard it here first! (ok, maybe second or third - but early for sure!!) Of course, if he doesn't run, Clark will make one heck of a VP candidate for someone...>> // posted by Ben @ 8/24/2003 06:26:35 PM

To: American Spirit who wrote (26421)	8/26/2003 1:15:42 PM
From: JakeStraw	Respond to of 89467

Meeting Candidate Kerry: msnbc.com I went to an off-the-record fund-raising breakfast with John Kerry yesterday. I can’t quote him or anything. But I came away with the strong impression that he’d make a first-rate president in every way but I have trouble imagining how he’s going to get there. He is articulate, intelligent, well-prepared, thoughtful and has some really good ideas, particularly on health care. But he has zero personal charisma and jes’ folks communication skills, which Bush has in abundance. (Don’t let’s even bring up Clinton.) I hate the fact that this matters, but it in our infantile political culture, it does—a lot. Moreover, he has not figured out how to connect to the fury that so many people feel about the lies and manipulation that this administration employed to get us into war, among many other issues. So if you’re as angry about this dishonest, destructive war as every thinking and feeling American ought to be, you will probably stick with Dean, even though to be honest, Kerry is far better prepared for the job and probably more progressive on most issues. This is odd, because Kerry himself is a personal victim of the administration’s deception. At least that’s how he explains his vote for it back in October 2002. I found his answers on this question — upon which I pressed him a bit — to be intellectually satisfactory but not exactly compelling. This is why Dean is surging and so many are still hoping for Wesley Clark to ride in on a white horse. No one is hurt so much by a Clark candidacy, as Kerry, since the first thing he likes to say is that he’s the only potential candidate who’s ever actually fought in a war.

To: American Spirit who wrote (26421)	8/26/2003 2:42:45 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 89467

Conservatives blame 9/11 on Clinton. But it was Bush Republicans who made deals with terrorists -- while Clinton's team took concrete steps to protect Americans. Message 19246054

To: American Spirit who wrote (26421)	8/29/2003 9:42:26 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 89467

Kerry Outlines Tax, Economic Proposals By Dan Balz Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, August 29, 2003 Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) condemned President Bush's economic record yesterday, labeling Bush the "job-loss president" as he outlined proposals that he said would kick-start the sluggish economy, create manufacturing jobs, expand college tax credits and still begin to shrink the record federal budget deficit. Kerry, who will formally launch his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, blamed Bush for taking the country backward economically and said fiscal discipline and fairness to the middle class are the foundation of his plan. "When it comes to creating opportunity, restoring fiscal discipline, putting values back into our economy, and preparing for the jobs of the future, George Bush hasn't lifted a finger. I will move mountains." But he also criticized, without naming them, several Democratic rivals for recommending steps that would raise taxes on middle-class Americans. "Some in my own party are so angry at George Bush and his unfair tax cuts that they think the solution is to do the exact opposite," Kerry said, according to the text of his remarks. "They want to return to rejected old-style policies that eliminate all tax breaks -- including those to working people." Kerry delivered his speech in New Hampshire; his campaign made the text available to reporters here and elsewhere. The Massachusetts senator repeatedly criticized the president, saying Bush has rewarded friends and campaign contributors with big tax cuts that he called "unaffordable and unfair." Kerry said he would repeal the income tax rate cuts enacted under Bush for all Americans with income of more than $200,000 per year. Kerry's plan contained several major elements, among them $50 billion over two years for state governments to help offset cuts in education and health care, limit tax increases many states have considered and help fund new requirements for homeland security. To stimulate the manufacturing sector, which has lost more jobs than any other segment of the economy during the Bush administration, Kerry said, he would give employers a credit on payroll taxes for creating jobs at a rate that exceeds their normal pace. To build on a program begun during the Clinton administration, Kerry called for a "college opportunity tax credit" on the first $4,000 in tuition paid by students for each of four school years. Focusing on middle-class workers, Kerry said he would retain the child tax credit and other tax reductions enacted by Bush that benefit ordinary Americans and said he would give them additional tax cuts. His criticism of other Democrats who have called for repealing all the Bush tax cuts was aimed at rivals Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, and Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.), the former House Democratic leader. While pledging these changes, Kerry said he would restore fiscal discipline to the budget, saying he could cut the deficit in half within four years by raising tax rates on the wealthiest taxpayers and by closing various corporate loopholes. © 2003 The Washington Post Company washingtonpost.com