Read between the lines:
1) Clark is the best choice for the VP slot, and can completely annihilate the core of the McCain campaign. Check out his resume.
2) "Securing America's Future" is the theme for the DNC VP speech on Wednesday night. Securing America's Future is the name of Wesley Clark's PAC.
3) In a massive display of what I see as genius head-fakery, it has been "leaked" to the media that Wes Clark will not be attending the DNC.
4) After Obama's initial rejection of Clark's comments about McCain's military service a couple of months back (IMO necessary for the political climate at the time), he later declared them "inartful" and didn't ask for Clark to apologize, therefore essentially ceding to Clark's side. In contrast, the Obama campaign has been eerily quiet on the (mis)statement "Clark, Your Services Not Needed". The original story - one that has been now widely distorted by media - is that Clark's plans were to attend a convention in Milan, and the Obama campaign told him that there was "no reason to change plans" as he did not have a speaking role as of yet. However, the story circulating now is claiming that Clark was "disinvited", which has left the media and netroots in a frenzy of bashing Obama's decision to exclude Clark from the DNC. Several sources have confirmed that the Obama campaign is aware of this story circulating, so they are deliberately holding back - why would he not diffuse the dissent of a large pool of his strongest supporters?
5) Wes's calendar is conspicuously blank for two weeks surrounding the convention. I've been keeping an eye on his calendar for the past week, and every morning, the current day's activities are announced: perhaps he is waiting for something?
6)
7) Biden, the media's current top pick, has publicly stated that he is "not the guy". And here's Washington Wire's opinion on why all the other short-listers are out (emphasis mine):
Joe Biden said it won’t be him; John Edwards is obviously out; Evan Bayh faced an avalanche of negative criticism from the blogosphere with petitions to Obama not to choose him; Tim Kaine’s bubble lost a lot of air, but then seemed to regain some, but not enough for the balloon to rise; Obama used a masculine word to describe his choice for VP meaning Clinton, Sebellius and McCaskill are no longer in the race; Sam Nunn says he wasn’t vetted; pundits looked at the [DNC] speaking schedule and eliminated every other major candidate (save one) and every dark horse possibility; commentators said that Obama cannot choose a Senator from a Republican governor state or else the Republicans can filibuster his entire first term (goodbye Bayh, Dodd, Reed). Is there no one left who’s reported to have been vetted?
Only one name: former General Wesley Clark.
8) McCain has stated that Obama should "distance himself" from Clark as soon as possible. Now, why would he state this if he wasn't scared out of his mind about that choice :-)
9) I know it's a stretch, but: It is widely speculated that Obama will announce his VP pick on Saturday in Springfield, Illinois. Wes Clark was born in Chicago.
I honestly think that the "disinvite" is a smokescreen, mainly (and wisely) to keep the media and the GOP from adding unecessary dialogue regarding the recent bad press Clark has gotten until he can be announced at the DNC. On that note, I also predict that we won't know for sure until at least Saturday and possibly even all the way to Wednesday night.
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3 comments:
Hi Kelly,
I think you are dead on. I was convinced last night that it would be Gore, but I'm going back to my prediction (and hope) of a few days ago that it would be Clark, thanks to your post.
It makes ZERO sense that Clark would not be on the official convention schedule by now. He can only be a positive addition. Obama's campaign is SO net-centric. And the only potential VP candidate who resonates with that audience is Clark.
Even if Clark had made the "riding in an airplane" remark on his own instead of as a response to a question, that's what vice presidents are supposed to do. They are supposed to be attack dogs. And there really are only 3 people that could reasonably be considered attack dogs and legitimate VP nominees: Clark, Webb, and Biden. And I think, though Biden is every man's everyman, he's not a veteran. In addition, he's loose and imprecise - and that can only be anathema to Obama and his campaign who have shown nothing but strict discipline.
In addition, and I think you'd agree, Kelly, it's essential that the VP nominee be a veteran – especially since the Wednesday VP night has a veteran-tinged theme. You can't trot out a non-veteran VP nominee on a veteran's theme night.
That leaves Clark and Webb. I don't think Reed is a legitimate option at this point, because the announcement of the pick is being so breathlessly dramatized. The pick has to be someone dramatic; and Reed is the antithesis of dramatic.
I thought it might be Webb, but his reputation as being anti-woman, even though he's repented more than adequately, is going to be a problem. The Clintonistas would go absolutely out of their minds if Clinton was passed over for someone who was partially responsible for instigating the Tailhook scandals. Plus, he's been married three times, written novels with graphic sex scenes, etc. I don't think the Obama team is prepared to let that derail whatever momentum they may have.
So, that leaves Clark. He literally fulfills every single requirement that Obama, the Democrats, and the Country is looking for in a VP.
And he will utterly make mince meat out of McCain on the Stump.
Sorry, thinking out loud a bit more here...
The lack of Clark being on the speaking schedule is EXTREMELY FISHY. The only reason I can possibly think of for his absence from the list is that he's on the top of it – he's the nominee.
It's also EXTREMELY FISHY that he hasn't even been mentioned as being vetted. I mean, how could you not vet him, even if it was just to appease the Netroots.
I wouldn't even be surprised if Clark's known he was the VP for a month already. The guy is probably one of the most disciplined, loyal national figures of his generation. He could be completely trusted to keep his mouth shut. On the other hand, I can see him getting the call tonight/Friday.
I don't know about you, but I'm utterly exhausted from this whole process. And I'm just sitting on my ass refreshing my blogs every 15 seconds.
OK. One more thing...
I think I get it now. Every publicly talked about candidate is having his house and office staked out. None of them will be able to get to Springfield without being seen first.
Clark on the other hand, is supposedly going to Europe for a conference. It's the perfect cover! I wouldn't even be surprised if he has a ticket to Europe connecting in Chicago and skips the last leg to be ferried down to Springfield.
Woohoo!
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