Who Should be VP? (Pat Says Wes Clark, for a Dozen Reasons)
By Pat Racimora on August 17, 2008 at 7:30 AM in Barack Obama, Wes Clark, vice president
Besides Hillary Clinton herself, who would be the wisest choice for Obama to pick for VP, assuming he and his handlers have their brains lined up?
It’s actually a no-brainer for me and my good friends who have also worked for General Wesley Clark for 5 years now. Here’s why.
1. Wes Clark has the National Security and Foreign Relations creds that Obama totally lacks and apparently not that interested in because he has never called a meeting of his the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, of which he is chair. Oh, and, hello? We have a lot of foreign affairs problems perched on our deck.
2. Wes Clark is also a war hero who was gravely wounded in Viet Nam (a year in the hospital and rehab), neutralizing McCain’s huge advantage here.
3. Wes Clark’s Grassroots and Netroots minions remain strong, involved, and loyal, and are overseen by talented organizers.
4. Wes Clark has the gravitas (nationally as well as internationally) that Obama totally lacks. Check out International Honors, Civilian Honors, and US Military, Individual & Unit Decorations (see left-hand menu on main page) HERE and be prepared to be mighty impressed! (One of the pleasures of my life was researching and helping to put these pages together.)
5. Wes Clark is an exciting figure and an excellent speaker (and brilliant—first in his class at West Point). Bill Richardson and Tim Kaine, not so much.
6. Wes Clark has the leadership experience that Obama totally lacks. Many do not realize that being in charge of bases is like running a small government. One of my favorite stories is about his wonderful wife, Gert, informing him that there were potholes needing repair. So Clark is not only about leading armies.
7. Wes Clark is from Arkansas. A Southerner is badly needed to balance the ticket. At least hat is what they always say.
8. Clark is “outside the beltway,” and therefore not part of the old establishment that Obama claims has to be “changed” (which, by the way, would let Biden, Bayh, and Dodd out of the mix as well).
9. Wes Clark was also against invading Iraq from the beginning, believing that time was on our side with regards to Saddam. See his 2002 speech before the House Armed Services Committee
here.
10. Obama would be stupid to pick any other woman besides Hillary Clinton as that would send HRC supporters over to McCain by the hordes.
11. Wes Clark’s so-called “McCain gaffe” really wasn’t one, and Clark got a lot of support afterwards because the statement, even taken out of the context of Clark’s praise for McCain’s service and sacrifice, is factually correct. Getting shot down is not a sign of competence to be president. BO can figure out how to deal with personally tossing Clark under the bus afterwards. (How about an apology?)
12. Wes Clark is really good looking. Also very Presidential. OK—maybe that sounds shallow, but the fact is that better-looking candidates, all else being equal, also have a better chance of being elected. (Check with the social persuasion scientific literature.) 
(Photo by Dion)
Alas, it looks like the Obama campaign may be not only missing the boat, but also disrespectful (and perhaps scared of such an enormous talent). It appears that the good General was tossed under the bus for a second time.
So, unless Hillary is somehow pulled out of the hat, I think we had better prepare for another 4 years of Republican rule.
Who is your pick and why?
Wonderful cartoon!
And totally describes why Soetoro cannot find a vice president…they all tower over him in stature!
Clark will be in Milan during Denver–so I think that won’t happen.
If I were forced to guess, I’d say he might pick Bayh. Bland, white, man, subservient, won’t upstage the Messiah, non-controversial, from a key state.
Some people think he might pick Biden, but Biden has too many negatives…big mouth, hair plugs, that Neil Kinnock business…did I say big mouth?
A small cadre think he’ll pick Sebelius. The problem there is no one but people who know her, know her, and there’s no time to GET to know her. If he picks McCaskill he’s truly a fucking idiot, because she is a MORON.
Still others think he might pick
Judas IscariotBill Richardson. I think this is unlikely because Bill used to have a “lady” problem that’s just sitting in those GOP files, I’m sure, and anyone who supports or supported Clinton knows him for the sleazy traitor that he is.If he picks Kaine, he’ll be throwing the CHOICE people under the bus–stock up on rubbers, you’ll need them!
I love your witty comments and political analysis. The Obot really has a problem. The good choices won’t work because they tower over him (Clinton and Clark). If he picks a weak one, people will flock to McCain.
I love the idea of an obama/richardson ticket!! Just imagine the bumper sticker possibilities:
obama/richardson, aka
Messiah/Judas
Anti-Christ/Judas?
The One/The Other??
How about “Not George Washington”/”Benedict Arnold”??
Better yet, the “Not Quite White” and the “Pattin’ Latin”??
Oh that is such a good one. May I add that an Obama/Kerry ticket would be the all tall skinny elitist guy ticket and that an Obama/Biden ticket would be the all plagiarism ticket.
Pat: another great cartoon and it presents a great man (Clark) in proper perspective. He is the only VP candidate who would have to operate “below” his pay rate schedule as he has already accomplished “head of state” status as NATO commander. Really!
I don’t care who he picks, because he will still be at the top of the ticket. He has not shown the wisdom and humility to pick Hillary or someone like Clark. He’s too insecure to share the spotlight. His next best bet would be someone like Biden, who at least has foreign policy experience and gravitas. Other than that, I think he would be a fool to pick Kaine or Richardson. Bayh is another possibility, but also unknown and rather bland. When does he make the pick anyway–it has to be soon, before the convention right? Enough with all the speculation, do it already.
He’s going to TEXT MESSAGE his choice to “all his fans” just like a teen idol might text his concert dates.
The logic behind Bayh is it’s a swing state.
Biden comes from Delaware and a lot of people do not like him and remember when he got caught “plagiarizing” (he calls it quoting without remember to attribute)–no help there. He’s angling for SECSTATE, anyway (as are a lot of people). Having the Senator from CreditCard Land as your Number Two is hardly “change,” really.
The other pick–and this would be a shame, because I like the guy–is ED RENDELL. Enormously popular, even outside his home (key AND keystone) state, a “manly man” unlike the effete “about as thuggish as that suburban Sean Combs” Obama, a “regular guy” who drinks beer and knows how to bowl; he’s got appeal. Ed would be the one holding his nose, though.
So well done Pat.
I happened to see Wes Clark on the tube interviewing about Georgia On Fox. The general had to stipulate that he is an indepentent consultant and when pushed he is not on BO’s “team” but “supports” BO.
It was NOT a ringing endorsement. As much as it would help, it won’t happen.
He supported Senator Clinton and it appears that is a NO-NO with BO.
Yes, Pat, another great cartoon. The little man, the ONE, our leader-to-be-maybe, is too small for the job “…above my pay grade”, so the annointed one
states.
General Powell. He can keep shut and follow any order.
Good cross-over draw.
Tainted, but not out.
Yahoo…..
POWELL is a poor choice, actually.
First, he is a Republican. STILL. The Birkenstock wearers with the greasy hair and dirty feet won’t go for that at all.
Second, he is as old as John McCain (well, maybe a year younger–born in 37).
Third, he’s BLAAAAACK! Even on a “We Are The World” ticket, that combo (and even Richardson, some–BMaher and others– say) might be “Too down with the brown” for Middle America.
Fourth, he HAD the opportunity to stand up as SECSTATE and yell BULLSHIT to the world about what GWBush was doing. Instead, he groused privately, took his White House Farewell Reception, and slunk away to grouse LATER. That’s, well….er…. cowardly. If you have a problem, SPEAK UP. Resign IN PROTEST. Put your mouth where your so-called principles are. It’s not like he can’t survive at age seventy one on his FOUR STAR pension, more than most people make for going to work everyday.
Fifth, all of the above makes him an “Opposite of Change” candidate.
He won’t be the pick. I’d choose Heart Attack (I Own the Voting Machines) Hagel if we’re going to look at Republicans, before Powell. After all, both Hagel AND Obama met with Bloomberg last year–maybe he’s the puppetmaster, here!
Ray Mabus for VP because I just love the whole Obama = the Anti-Christ conspiracy theory and all things Nostradamus.
I know Ray from our Riyadh days. He long ago accepted that his leadership is important, but won’t ever be competitive even for a Cabinet post.
Tom Dashle for VP ??
When General Clark speaks, people listen, because they know this wonderful gentleman is honest and has a wonderful presence.
He is my HERO!
What more can I say? He is the best that we have ever had!
As usual, a terrific cartoon putting the simple one in the correct perspective as diminutive next to Clark. You give all the good reasons why Clark would be a really wise choice and might assure him a win in November. However, I don’t think the Obot has the self assurance and self confidence needed to have such an accomplished man as VP. If he did choose Clark, he would have to restrict his freedom of speaking out honestly on issues, and I think General Clark has too much integrity to allow that to happen. So, although it probably be a great match to win the presidency, it would probably not work out in the years after the election. Unless, by the very remote chance that the Obot is capable of really respectfully listening to the sage advice he would get from the General. Sadly, the reasons he is unlikely to choose Clark are much the same as the reasons he is unlikely to choose Clinton. As you noted in your last cartoon, Hillary casts a long and growing shadow over the Obot, and as your current cartoon so clearly illustrates, the poor Obot’s public image would be totally eclipsed by the towering history of accomplishments on many fronts of brilliant charismatic General Clark.
Pat:
Just perfect perspective! IMO Wes Clark is much more of a ‘man’ than BO would be if he lives to 200 years.
It is very cruel and disrespectful that BO has ‘thrown Wes under the bus’….shame on him!!! He certainly did not show “good judgment” by doing so. After all, Wes Clark did not criticize or hurt Obama one little iota by anything he’s said. Even yet Wes speaks favorably of BO… and it indicates what a great man he is.
It is shameful the treatment Obama has shown the 4-star general, NATO SACEUR, and et al….maybe he’s afraid he’d have to salute Wes, and take orders from him. Perhaps BO just seized the opportunity to get Wes out of his way, because he knew/knows how much more intelligent Wes is. It’s a bitter pill, but maybe “it will be done unto him, as he would do unto others.”
I will not donate any $$$, nor promote BO in any way, and unless something changes with BO, I will not vote for him….we can write-in on election day: Wesley K. Clark.
Thanks for another great cartoon!!!
Pat,
Perfect way to use the visual image to compare Wes Clark to small-minded obama. There’s not much to add to your wonderful list of reasons Clark should have been at the top of BO’s list - I’m very familiar with Clark’s amazing attributes and by casting him aside in such a disrespectful manner, BO shows his arrogance and his petty world view. Like Bush, he’s got this “you’re with me, or you’re against me” mindset and brother, if you weren’t kissing his ass from the getgo, you’re history.
It’s a big loss for our country but Clark won’t stop doing what he’s done so well for several years now. He’ll be out there helping to elect those downticket Dems. I heart Wes Clark and his wife, Gert. Two of America’s most loyal and faithful patriots.
In the tradition of Alexander Hamilton, Hillary should put this person in her cabinet.
Excerpts from Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez third inaugural speech:
“Globalization cannot continue without regulations which govern it. The international financial system cannot continue operating in an unregulated way and without adequate supervision. Free trade is insufficient, if it is not at the same time fair trade,”
” Take, for example, the case of oil, he said. There are many factors involved in the rise in its price, which is harming countries and people, all of which are understandable and acceptable. “What cannot be comprehended or accepted, is the manipulation by some media, carried out on a planetary scale, with deliberate intent and as an accomplice, in hiding from the world the role of speculation in the abrupt rise in the price of fuels on international markets.”
“Speculation operates in a simple way. On the futures markets, someone sells oil which they do not have. Another buys oil that they do not expect to receive, with the strange consequence that they both make money.
“It seems like something out of a Cantiflas movie. But no, it is casino capitalism of the XXI century… It is the capitalism of paper, of manipulation, fraud and extortion, which has no link to the real economy. “Because of this modality of casino capitalism, stock markets which operate with futures contracts have become gigantic and uncontrollable betting saloons, whose activities affect the prices of the products of the real economy… “The world cannot continue this way. It cannot continue to be based upon greed, egoism, avarice and fraud to amass great fortunes for the benefit of a few. The world must change.”
This is easy.
HILLARY.
ONLY HILLARY.
First, if BO picks hillary than he proves 2 things: a.) he wants to WIN, and b.) he IS a Uniter - he wants to bring the party together.
If he choses anyone other than Hillary, then he is an IDIOT.
Only Hillary can bring 3-5 million votes with her. Only Hillary can help him win OH, PA, FL, NV, and maybe Arkansas.
Biden, Bayh, Kaine, Clark CAN-NOT deliver the votes that Hillary can.
SO
If Hillary is the VP - he (really she) will get my vote….otherwise,
it’s mccain for me.
Pat, hate to say it, but you really needed to create a baker’s dozen. ya know why? #13. Gert
Ooops! You are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO right Julia! Of course, I always saw Gert as the perfect First Lady.
This cartoon says it all i.e. compared to Wes Clark, Obama is a dwarf (in term of experience, competence, expertise and accomplishment), which is why Obama is unlikely to pick Clark as his running mate, though doing so would benefit him and the country a great deal.
Great artwork as always, Pat.
There was a diary here the other day about Wes being Persona Non Grata in Denver, by Susan.
http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2008/08/16/steve-clemons-gen-clark-is-not-welcome-at-the-democratic-national-convention/
Amazing year. All the things that can go wrong, have.
The things ob has wrought are never going to heal.
He has changed the face of an entire party and has absolutely destroyed it, along with his partners in crime, brazile, dean and co.
Horrible little fraud pretending to be something he isn’t and all the while hiding what he really is.
His VP choice could be Gephardt.
If Wesley Clark is not the VP for Obama, then it proves one thing that Obama does not have a good judgment to be president. With the current US situation, he needs a man of good credentials in military/national security. To eliminate Clark at the convention without even a role to play, especially the theme for that night is for veterans then it is a slap on the face of Clark and Obama is giving in to McCain for asking Obama re Wesley Clark, “cut him loose.”