CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
July 1, 2008 – 4:14 p.m.
Gen. Clark Comes From Behind to Win CQ Politics VP Madness
By Jonathan Allen, CQ Staff
Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark won CQ Politics’ reader-driven Democratic vice presidential contest, edging out Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the final round even as he came under fire for questioning the value of presumed Republican nominee John McCain ’s military service.
The “VP Madness” contest was designed to allow CQ readers to vote for whom they thought would be the best running mate for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama , the presumed Democratic presidential nominee. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee finished atop the Republican field in May.
Clark, who won our unscientific survey 51 percent to 49 percent, touched off a controversy Sunday when he said “I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president.” The comment touched off a firestorm of criticism from McCain allies, including some who were held in captivity with him in a Vietnamese prison camp, and an indirect rebuke from Obama.
Because voters were not asked why they voted the way they did, it is impossible to tell what effect, if any, Clark’s comments had on our vice presidential balloting, but he had been trailing Biden narrowly on Monday before taking a lead as the story gained traction. Some analysts viewed his comments as an audition for the vice presidential slot on the Democratic ticket (traditionally, part of the VP candidate job is to launch salvos at the other party’s candidate), while others viewed them as a blow to his chances.
Clark, who served as supreme allied commander in Europe during the Clinton administration, advanced through a 32-person field by beating Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill , Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh , 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell before facing off against Biden. Biden advanced to the final round by beating New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson .
New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton , who finished second in the Democratic presidential primary, was knocked out by Rendell in the quarterfinals. She had been the top number one seed. Clark was one of the number two seeds.
The contest ran from June 5 to midday July 1 with several days for each of the five rounds.
Obama has given little indication as to whom he prefers as a running mate. If history is a guide, he is unlikely to make his pick more than three weeks before the start of the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 25.
Comments
After Sunday? More reason to have a diplomat instead of a military leader as a potential candidate later.
General Clark would Senator Obama a balance that the Senator lacks, experience as military officer and foreign policy credibility. These are areas that Senator McCain can claim. Despite General Clark's foolish remark, he is better match than Senator Biden, a consumate Washington insider.
Clark can't beat Biden now, I bet. Biden is also in a safe Democratic state. Biden all the way.
General Clark said that driving an airplane and getting shot down in Vietnam were not qualifications to be president. I fail to see any foolishness in that remark. I can't think of any president in the past who was a pilot shot down in a foreign conflict. It's just not an experience that is helpful in running a government. General Clark would make an excellent vice president because he could supplement Obama's rapidly vanishing spine.
Personally, I still believe that Gov. Sebelius is his best choice. P.S. What Clark said about McCain being shot down, he is correct in context. I think that Obama handled that wonderfully in his speech in MO yesterday, but when you really listen to what Clark said, it was not out of line.
and General Clark is JUST the diplomat for the job. Here's hoping that Senator Obama can recognize it.
General Clark brings nothing to the ticket. Sen. Biden, on the other hand, brings years of experience in foreign affairs as Chairman and/or Ranking member of the Foreign Relations Commitee and vast experience on the Judiciary Committee. He is bright and personable and most important could step into the Presidency if needed.
Comes from behind? Biden lead for part of a day during the finals by 1%. Hardly a come from behind win.
Obama stupidly cut Clark off at the knees for an accurate statement that was given in response to a question. If Obama hasn't effectively destroyed him, I still think Clark is the best VP option if there is a desire for someone with a national defense background to fill that waiting post role. A Senator from a safe Democratic state with just three electoral votes (Biden) doesn't seem to me to add much. And hasn't Biden shown himself to be somewhat of a loose cannon with some of his past statements? For VP, all you need is someone who will stay out of the spotlight and not do anything that would be a drag on the candidate who is seeking the important office.
First of all, Clark didn't make the remark - Schaefer did and Clark only repeated it in his answer. Second, Clark spoke truth and made an accurate assessment from the perspective of credible experience. MSM and McCain can't handle the truth! If getting captured and being a POW are qualifications for president, then the GOP should be signing up all the guys at Gitmo! Wes Clark rocks! And if we truly valued intelligence and leadership - he would be our candidate. Trouble with America is that too many folks are of the 'low information' mode!
General Clark has the integrity, experience and vision to be a leader. We've seen that since he came on the political radar back in 2003. Obama needs a qualified, strong leader on the Democratic ticket to win in November. Clark fits that bill and more. Problem is, will the members of Obama's Campaign understand and accept this. I do not see signs of this with representatives for Obama on TV these days.
Alg, Unfortunatley there is no one person nor a group of people that can make up the balance of what Obama is lacking. Yet, it appears he will be our next President. Let us all hope that this country will be able to minimize the damage from a 3d Carter term. It took almost 3 decades to recover from the last one.
Clark's comments on McCain's service record were idiotic. McCain never said his POW experience was of any value in terms of the presidency. This was a cheap and low shot that this Clinton hack thought he could get away with as a former military person. It is easy to see why this guy was disliked even by his own peers in the military. This is the kind of crap that causes Democrats to lose elections.
Clark states facts re: McCain's qualifications > McCain charges Obama with attacking his military service > but but Clark has been questioning McCain's qualifications for months now with an op-ed or two to prove it...Clark has been criticizing McCain's voting record on Vet's bennies since before Obama entered stage left, in fact Q: Why did we hear nothing from McCain about these "horrible affronts" during the primary when Clark was a surrogate for Clinton? "REALLY ???" yes, really Mr. Shieffer Obama would do well to choose Clark as his v.p.
Matt Thomas is absolutely right. McCain never said that his military experiences "entitled him." Rather he has what is most important for any leader to have -- integrity, honesty, character. Clark was "relieved" of his command -- some recommendation for any office.
Well, that's a bit of a joke now isn't it? What he said or "repeated" was impolitic at best. I was a Clinton supporter to the bitter end and am now quite enthusiastically supporting Obama, but I believe one would have to be a total moron not to recognize that Senator McCain's POW experience showed and extraordinary strength of character that would be an asset in anyone serving as President. Sheesh, has our public discourse degenerated to the point that we allow no honor to public figures?
I hope that all of us that can will do our best to help Hillary Clinton pay off ALL of her campaign debt quickly. She deserves that. You all knew Hillary, and Bill would go out on a limb for us if they felt they had too. That's what they do. :-) As I said before Hillary Clinton was STUNNING!!! You witnessed the greatest political campaign struggle in American history. One for the textbooks, and the history books. Hillary Clinton fought her heart out against all odds to win for all of the American people. While at the same time doing her best to prepare Sen. Barack Obama to win in November if he was the nominee. STUNNING!!! WELL DONE HILLARY CLINTON. WELL DONE! Your AMAZING! :-) Sen. Obama could not have had a better opponent than Hillary Clinton. Nor could he have had a better opponent to prepare him for the battle royal to come against John McCain and the Republicans ahead of the November elections. Hillary Clinton was like a big Mama cat determined to teach her kitten how to hunt, and hang with the big dogs for the fights ahead. The Clinton's have won the Whitehouse twice before. They know what it will take. Hillary Clinton took Sen. Obama to every brawl, and cat fight she could find for him to develop his fight, and his chops. She even let her men (President Clinton, Governor Rendell, and many others) loose on Sen. Obama a little bit. So as to give Sen. Obama a taste of just how rough, and tough the big boys will be to do battle with. :-) From sea to shining sea and US territories Hillary Clinton took Sen. Obama to see all of America. To meet, and greet all it's people. And to ask for their votes and support, which he will need if he becomes President. She took him to see what he will be fighting for. And to see what she and President Clinton have fought so heroically for over so many years. Sen. Obama could not have ask for any better. Nor had any better teachers. Bill Clinton, Chelsea, Mrs. Rodham, and the whole Clinton team were magnificent. They really showed their metal. BRAVO! TEAM CLINTON... BRAVO! And YOU! my fellow Americans. I'm so proud of you. And proud to be one of you. You showed what you are made of. And what makes America so great. You never gave up on your Champion Hillary Clinton. Time, and time again you eagerly waited your turn to vote for Hillary Clinton. To raise her up and pass her along down the line to the rest of your waiting fellow Americans. You never gave up on her. Just as Hillary Clinton never gave up on you. No matter how many times they counted her out. No matter how many times her detractors, and attackers brutally knocked her down. You knew she would get back up and get after it. And when she did you were ready to support her. This is your role model America. AMERICA LOVES A FIGHTER. AMERICA UNDERSTANDS A FIGHTER. AMERICA IS A FIGHTER. I'M PROUD OF YOU AMERICA! Sen. Clinton looked a little tired her first day back at work in the senate after her history making heroic campaign. She has good reason to be tired. Doesn't she America. But with time and good attention to the basics she, and you will recover. The basics are good well balanced nutrition, hydration, rest, exercise, recreation, POSITIVE! emotional support, and time (the greatest healer of all). Y'all be good to President Clinton. I never saw a man fight so hard for a woman, and the American people as President Clinton fought for Hillary Clinton, and you. It's going to take Bill a while. No one except Hillary Clinton could have fought any harder than President Clinton did for you. I imagine President Clinton still remembers how the American people wailed, reached, and cried out for him as he took that last flight home as your President on Air Force One after the 2000 elections. Yes, many of us knew back then what was coming for the American people under a republican administration. Back to living like dumb animals again. Fighting over territory, and scraps of meat. You are dieing like fly's now. Republicans too. But it's ok because some people are making a lot of money off of your needless deaths. :-( As always, Hillary Clinton, and President Clinton did their best for all of us. It was an EPIC! YOU MADE US VERY PROUD HILLARY CLINTON! HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH :-) WE LOVE YOU. AND ADMIRE YOU... jacksmith... Working Class :-)
Clark might as well mention being enlisted. Obama should tell McCain to keep his military problems to himself. I wonder if Bill Clinton is going to lay smack on McCain. None of these officers won the wars they fought in.
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