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Jolie Rouge · 09-24-2003, 01:35 AM

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Hillary As Vice President?

There is some speculation that Clark will ask Hillary to be his running mate in the VP slot if it looks like he has a chance to win. Let me say that I have no idea if this is true or not, but it does have some interesting implications.

There would be some clear advantages to a Clark/Hillary ticket, assuming Clark gets the nomination. First, as much as conservatives hate to admit it, a Clark/Hillary ticket would be formidable, relatively speaking. Remember that Hillary still dwarfs all the Democratic contenders in the polls. Second, if Hillary vaults into the national scene as Clark’s running mate, it would allow them to air all of her “dirty laundry” later this year and next year – instead of in 2007 and 2008.

Certainly, there would be some disadvantages as well, assuming Hillary plans to run in 2008. The obvious question is, what happens if Clark wins in 2004 and wants to run again in 2008? That would mean that Hillary would not have a shot until 2012 when she would be 65 years old. Or would Clark agree to step aside after one term and let Hillary take the nomination?

There are many interesting questions swirling around the candidacy of Wesley Clark and whatever plans Hillary may have. Of course, all the latest talk of Hillary getting the VP slot may be nothing more than gossip.

And, let us not forget, Hillary could still jump in the 2004 race for president. Yes, she continues to deny it, but if Bush’s approval ratings should fall below 50% (currently 52% in the aggregate), she may not be able to resist. Her husband has been dropping some interesting hints along this line, reportedly saying at their recent dinner party that there are only “two stars” in the Democratic party – Wesley Clark and Hillary… So much for the wannabes!

Clark Is Not Without Some Baggage

Wesley Clark has an enviable resume: four star general; supreme NATO commander; onetime head of the U.S. Southern Command; first in his class at West Point Rhodes Scholar; etc. That’s not to mention he is handsome, vibrant and an outsider.

From Clark’s speeches and writings over the last year, it appears he is pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, pro-immigration, supports a progressive tax policy (read: higher taxes), is wary of the US Patriot Act, doesn't support drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge, and supports a broad social safety net. He’s a rare liberal general.

Clark waffled over the war in Iraq. One day last week, he said he probably would have voted for it had he been in Congress. The next day, he said he would have never voted for it. In any event, he would have preferred a multinational coalition with United Nations oversight.

There are some questions about his military career, especially in the later years prior to being fired (early retirement) by Bill Clinton in 2000. You can read more about this in the link below to a column by Robert Novak.

Clark has some other obstacles as well. While he has spiked to frontrunner status in just a few days, he is still a late entry to the party. He has never held any political office before. He has never been under the microscope. He is also reported to be “thin-skinned” and has quite a temper. The Clintons and the various ex-Clinton/Gore advisors Clark has hired will no doubt speed him up the political learning curve, but it may not be as easy as some currently think.

Will Clark Wear Well?

Many in the Democratic leadership feel Clark is the perfect candidate to bring the fractured party back together. He’s liberal; he’s anti-war (sort of); he’s intelligent; and he could be the one man who could revive the party’s tattered image on national security. Some even believe that because Clark has no domestic agenda yet, he is free to stake out only the most popular domestic positions. Could be.

Yet there are others who believe that General Clark’s popularity will fade fast, and that we should not count out Howard Dean. I was surprised to see this morning that the first four editorial columns on realclearpolitics.com were actually negative on Clark.

[I’ve told you about rwww.realclearpolitics.com in the past. It’s one of the few websites I visit every day. It includes a dozen or more selected editorials every day from various newspapers around the country. I highly recommend it.]

09-24-2003, 01:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jolie Rouge C & P Queen Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Lan astaslem ! Posts: 38,144 iTrader: (2) Thanks: 1,465 Thanked 3,536 Times in 1,949 Posts	{{page three** Hillary As Vice President? There is some speculation that Clark will ask Hillary to be his running mate in the VP slot if it looks like he has a chance to win. Let me say that I have no idea if this is true or not, but it does have some interesting implications. There would be some clear advantages to a Clark/Hillary ticket, assuming Clark gets the nomination. First, as much as conservatives hate to admit it, a Clark/Hillary ticket would be formidable, relatively speaking. Remember that Hillary still dwarfs all the Democratic contenders in the polls. Second, if Hillary vaults into the national scene as Clark’s running mate, it would allow them to air all of her “dirty laundry” later this year and next year – instead of in 2007 and 2008. Certainly, there would be some disadvantages as well, assuming Hillary plans to run in 2008. The obvious question is, what happens if Clark wins in 2004 and wants to run again in 2008? That would mean that Hillary would not have a shot until 2012 when she would be 65 years old. Or would Clark agree to step aside after one term and let Hillary take the nomination? There are many interesting questions swirling around the candidacy of Wesley Clark and whatever plans Hillary may have. Of course, all the latest talk of Hillary getting the VP slot may be nothing more than gossip. And, let us not forget, Hillary could still jump in the 2004 race for president. Yes, she continues to deny it, but if Bush’s approval ratings should fall below 50% (currently 52% in the aggregate), she may not be able to resist. Her husband has been dropping some interesting hints along this line, reportedly saying at their recent dinner party that there are only “two stars” in the Democratic party – Wesley Clark and Hillary… So much for the wannabes! Clark Is Not Without Some Baggage Wesley Clark has an enviable resume: four star general; supreme NATO commander; onetime head of the U.S. Southern Command; first in his class at West Point Rhodes Scholar; etc. That’s not to mention he is handsome, vibrant and an outsider. From Clark’s speeches and writings over the last year, it appears he is pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, pro-immigration, supports a progressive tax policy (read: higher taxes), is wary of the US Patriot Act, doesn't support drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge, and supports a broad social safety net. He’s a rare liberal general. Clark waffled over the war in Iraq. One day last week, he said he probably would have voted for it had he been in Congress. The next day, he said he would have never voted for it. In any event, he would have preferred a multinational coalition with United Nations oversight. There are some questions about his military career, especially in the later years prior to being fired (early retirement) by Bill Clinton in 2000. You can read more about this in the link below to a column by Robert Novak. Clark has some other obstacles as well. While he has spiked to frontrunner status in just a few days, he is still a late entry to the party. He has never held any political office before. He has never been under the microscope. He is also reported to be “thin-skinned” and has quite a temper. The Clintons and the various ex-Clinton/Gore advisors Clark has hired will no doubt speed him up the political learning curve, but it may not be as easy as some currently think. Will Clark Wear Well? Many in the Democratic leadership feel Clark is the perfect candidate to bring the fractured party back together. He’s liberal; he’s anti-war (sort of); he’s intelligent; and he could be the one man who could revive the party’s tattered image on national security. Some even believe that because Clark has no domestic agenda yet, he is free to stake out only the most popular domestic positions. Could be. Yet there are others who believe that General Clark’s popularity will fade fast, and that we should not count out Howard Dean. I was surprised to see this morning that the first four editorial columns on realclearpolitics.com were actually negative on Clark. [I’ve told you about rwww.realclearpolitics.com in the past. It’s one of the few websites I visit every day. It includes a dozen or more selected editorials every day from various newspapers around the country. I highly recommend it.] __________________ Laissez les bon temps rouler!** Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. a 4 day work week & sex slaves ~ I say Tyt for PRESIDENT!** Not to be taken internally, literally or seriously ....Suki ebaynni IS THAT BETTER ?