Clark's Army

If you have a minute, take the Clark's Army Volunteer Survey.

Analysis of the Campaign

Josh Marshall, an admirer of Clark's, thinks the Clark campaign is losing its focus and doing well in spite of itself. Although he acknowledges that they've done yeoman's work in creating a campaign from whole cloth in just 6 weeks, he's concerned that "the operation is being run by an interlocking directorate of folks who can't be bothered to be more than absentee proprietors of the general's campaign." Later (scroll up from the linked article), Marshall adds a clarification, explaining that the flaws he sees in the campaign staff & structure are by no means fatal to the campaign, "But that doesn't change the fact that the campaign is not organized with a clear message or an evident strategy for winning the nomination. At least that's what I see from where I'm sitting. And this is coming from a real admirer of the candidate." We report, you decide, to coin a phrase.

Clark Calls on Bush to Help Unemployed Before Giving Big Tax Breaks to Business

General Wesley Clark for President - Official Campaign Web Site: "Clark Calls on Bush to Help Unemployed Before Giving Big Tax Breaks to Business 'Leadership is about doing what's right for American families, not giving corporate tax breaks to big businesses that ship jobs overseas. I am deeply disturbed the Bush administration would favor an irresponsible $60 billion corporate tax giveaway while more than 3 million Americans have lost their jobs. Millions more are without health care and the budget deficit continues to spiral out of control. As President, I would direct our resources towards our most urgent priorities - the economy, health care and our national defense - instead of rewarding corporations for sending American jobs overseas. America is suffering from a leadership deficit under George W. Bush. To get our country back on track, we need a leader that makes the right choices for America.' "

Meeting last night

A meeting was held last night at the Brounshidle American Legion hall on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore. It really is a much better venue than Spot or Kahunaville. We discussed delegate selection and petitioning issues, and, more significantly, it appears that the campaign will be opening a New York office and naming a New York Statewide coordinator this week. Better yet, there will be top-down selection of delegate slates and assistance with petitioning issues. Also, we're gaining support from farther afield, like Chautauqua, Niagara and Genesee Counties. For the November 3rd meetup, Jeremy Toth has suggested that everyone try to bring a new face to the meetup, to grow our ranks. New Clarkophile Camille suggested handing out Clark bars on Halloween. The Brounshidle is about two blocks south of Premier Liquors and directly adjacent to Jim Doyle Ford.

New American Patriotism: Health Care

General Clark is set to unveil his Health Care initiative in Portsmouth, NH today. this article outlines the plan. Clark intends to spend $695 billion over 10 years on a health plan that would cover all children, as well as uncovered adults. He would do this through grants and tax credits, and would pass a law requiring parents to cover their kids.

Organizational Meeting tomorrow

Tomorrow: Tuesday October 28th at 7pm we will hold an organizational meeting at the Brounshidle Am. Legion hall at 3354 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore. All are welcome.

Debate last night

The best line from last night's debate was spoken bythe Rev. Al Sharpton: "It's an insult to tell working American people it's an honor to serve and die for their country but it is a burden for the rich to pay their fair share of taxes."

Soldiers for Clark

Woo hoo. Here's a poll from Army Times, a poll that is admittedly unscientific. Nevertheless, Soldiers chose Wesley Clark over their commander in chief by a wide margin.

Don't forget these events!

Please RSVP via the Buffalo for Clark Yahoo! Group. Upcoming Events: 1. Delegate Selection Seminar: Saturday, October 25 from 12-2 Pratt Willard Community Center 422 Pratt Street, Buffalo 2. Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, October 28 at 7pm. Brounschidle Legion Post 205 / DiTomasso VFW 66 3354 Delaware Ave. Kenmore Please attend even if (especially if) you attended the October meetup at Spot. 3. November Meetup: November 3, 2003: Please vote for the Brounschidle Hall. 4. Election Night Rally: Tuesday, November 4, 2003 Ellicott Square Building 295 Main St. Buffalo 9:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. We'd like to have a presence there, holding signs, passing out info. materials, collecting volunteer info.

Republicans "Supporting" our Troops.

Patriots indeed. The following quotes are real. They are from real people, all of whom support the war in, and occupation of, Iraq. To the best of my knowledge, none of these people ever served in the military. At least one of them is among the most prominent of the neoconservative movement that got us into this mess in the first place. "I'm about to say something nearly impermissible in the present-day discourse on the war in Iraq. Here it is: The death toll among American soldiers remains startlingly and hearteningly low, not horribly and frighteningly high. John Podhoretz New York Post October 17, 2003 I think the level of casualties is secondary. I mean, it may sound like an odd thing to say, but all the great scholars who have studied American character have come to the conclusion that we are a warlike people and that we love war. . . . What we hate is not casualties but losing. And if the war goes well and if the American public has the conviction that we're being well-led and that our people are fighting well and that we're winning, I don't think casualties are going to be the issue. Michael Ledeen AEI Breakfast March 27, 2003 I think the American people are going to have great tolerance for the war taking longer, and they are going to have great tolerance for more casualties. William Kristol AEI Breakfast March 27, 2003 Why should we hear about body bags and deaths and how many, what day it's gonna happen? It's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? Barbara Bush ABC Interview March 18, 2003

Salon.com: Front Page

Click over to Salon.com to read a good, front-page article about the General and his campaign so far. Go for the Salon Premium "Free Day Pass" by watching a short promo for Law & Order SVU.

Petitioning in New York State

Susan Renzo from Hudson Valley for Clark has circulated two very relevant and important documents that any dedicated New York Clark supporter/volunteer should read and absorb. Much of this information was touched upon at the Syracuse meeting on October 18th. New York needs to organize very quickly in order not only to select Clark in the Primary's beauty contest, but also to select a slate of Clark delegates in every Federal Congressional District in New York State. Follow the links (you'll probably need MS Word) to see the information on petitioning, and a further link for an organizational calendar that would be helpful to campaign & petitioning efforts throughout NYS. Detailed Petition information for New York State Calendar for Organizing New York State

Latest New Hampshire Poll Numbers

According to the Concord (NH) Monitor, Dean is at 31%, Kerry 19%, Clark 12%.

Upcoming events

1. Delegate Selection Seminar: Saturday, October 25 from 12-2 Pratt Willard Community Center 422 Pratt Street, Buffalo 2. Organizational Meeting: Tuesday, October 28 at 7pm. Brounschidle Legion Post 205 / DiTomasso VFW 66 3354 Delaware Ave. Kenmore

Please attend even if (especially if) you attended the October meetup at Spot. 3. November Meetup: Please vote for the Brounschidle Hall. It is very important that we begin organizing for the upcoming petition period.

Meetings and Meetups

Watch this space and don't forget to join the BuffaloforClark Yahoo! Group to obtain updates regarding the next series of organizing meetings.

The period to obtain petitions to get General Clark on the Ballot in all of New York's Congressional Districts begins on November 26th and runs through January 2, 2004. We only have about 6 weeks to get the signatures we need. This will be the most important task we face between now and the March primary. If we can't get Clark on the ballot, getting out the March vote will be somewhat moot.

Although meetup.com is a good tool, we cannot rely solely on that tool for organizing. We must meet more frequently in more conducive settings than Spot Coffee (good as their capp is).

I still plan on attending future meetups, as should everyon. I urge everyone please to vote for the Brounshidle hall at http://clark2004.meetup.com

Photos from Syracuse now uploaded

Thanks to everyone for a great rally in Syracuse on Saturday. I have posted some photos to ofoto.com. please follow or cut & paste this link into your browser: http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=6jiibud.16pkbgmt&x=1&y=qb3uh2 It looks like ofoto makes you join, but it doesn't cost anything to join, it's a great service, and it's locally owned (Rochester-based Kodak owns ofoto). Enjoy!

Syracuse Saturday

The Syracuse Meeting and Rally on Saturday was fantastic. It was a blast to meet dedicated Clark supporters from around the State. Great speakers, great info, and in keeping with Gen. Clark's "Day of Service", we raised almost $500 for Korean War Veterans.

Busy at work, so I'll post more later about this event, including pictures.

Get directions to Syracuse rally from your address

Directions to 301 Hiawatha Blvd E
Syracuse, NY 13208-1146

COME TO SYRACUSE OCT. 18 & MAKE WESLEY CLARK FIRST IN NEW YORK STATE

On Saturday, October 18, you are invited to attend (and enjoy) the WESLEY CLARK FOR PRESIDENT NYS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AND RALLY. It will be held in Syracuse, and will be extremely beneficial for local campaign coordinators and volunteers, as well as for everyone who is interested in Wesley Clark. BRING EVERYONE YOU KNOW Send your reservations as soon as possible to and let us know: 1. how many will be attending the midday seminar 2. how many will be at the afternoon rally. A GREAT DAY FOR CLARK IN NEW YORK For local campaign leaders and volunteers, we are starting the day with a seminar, "How to Run a Local Clark Campaign in New York State" from 11 am to 1 pm. It will include experts speaking for 20-30 minutes each on issues such as delegate selection, petition drives, campaign finance do's-and-don'ts, and what to expect and when from Little Rock. AUCTION FOR KOREAN VETS At 2 pm, we are opening the halls to everyone and hoping that EVERYONE is just who will come -- for a rousing, rollicking, roof-raising rally for Wesley Clark, the man who can and will be the next president. To start the afternoon in the spirit of General Clark's commitment to community service, we are holding an auction to benefit disabled Korean War Veterans. The items in the auction have been donated by nationally famous celebrities, from Denzel Washington to Elizabeth Taylor. One of the items is a book to be inscribed personally to the winning bidder by President Bill Clinton! THE BIG RALLY At 2:30, we celebrate the candidacy of Wesley Clark by coming together to speak, listen and cheer. Expect some fantastic and famous speakers. Expect to shout and stomp. This is New York's and especially upstate New York's chance to shine. It will also launch a one-year-and-two-week effort to bring in this state for Clark! The rally will end at about 4 pm. Before, in between and after these events, there will be structured and some un-structured caucus time. In other words, it will be a day full of serious talk and lots of fun, too. We are planning the day carefully, so that most New Yorkers can travel to and from the Conference & Rally in one day. The location of the NYS CLARK LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AND RALLY is the Birchmeyer Auction House, 301 Hiawatha Blvd. East, at the corner of Park Street. It is just around the corner from the Carousel Mall, and within walking distance of the Regional Transportation Center bus and train station.
Map of 301 Hiawatha Blvd E
Syracuse, NY 13208-1146
For more information, see:www.geocities.com/NYSClarkLeadership For reservations - SusieQ2371@aol.com Questions - JFenster@dreamscape.com

Saturday: National Day of Service

General Clark announces that October 18th to be a National Day of Service. Many people are planning on, for instance, giving blood on Saturday.

For those of us in New York State, please attend the Saturday Clark rally and the auction benefitting Korean War Vets.

Here is the website for the New York State Clark Leadership Conference, which is organizing Saturday's rally.

Here is the Central New York for Clark website, which has all the information about the rally.

November 3, 2003 meetup

Voting is now active for the November 3, 2003 meetup. I have added the Brounshidle Hall again to the list, and urge everyone to vote for it so that we can avoid the problems we had at Spot this Monday.

Bush Revisionist History

imminent \Im"mi*nent\, a. [L. imminens, p. pr. of imminere to project; pref. im- in + minere (in comp.) to jut, project. See Eminent.] 1. Threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending; -- said especially of misfortune or peril. ``In danger imminent.'' --Spenser. 2. Full of danger; threatening; menacing; perilous. One of the more popular themes now making the rounds in not only the blogosphere, but also in mainstream media, is that Bush never said that Iraq posed an "imminent threat." Indeed, in his now-infamous 2003 State of the Union address, Bush argued that we must strike before Iraq becomes an imminent threat. Once the threat is imminent, he argued, it is too late to react.

Critics of the administration's handling of the Iraq crisis routinely include in their comments that Bush, at worst, lied about, and at best, exaggerated, the imminency of the threat that Iraq posed.

We, therefore, turn to a few pre-war quotations. At his February speech before the Security Council, Secretary of State Colin Powell remarked that "[t]he gravity of this moment is matched by the gravity of the threat that Iraq's weapons of mass destruction pose to the world. Let me now turn to those deadly weapons programs and describe why they are real and present dangers to the region and to the world."

In his State of the Union address, Bush stated that "America will not accept a serious and mounting threat to our country and our friends and our allies."

In October 2002, Bush stated that "the threat from Iraq stands alone because it gathers the most serious dangers of our age in one place. Iraq's weapons of mass destruction are controlled by a murderous tyrant [Hussein] who has already used chemical weapons to kill thousands of people"

On his own campaign website, Bush (or his surrogate) argues that Iraq posed an "imminent threat."

Reports in the Guardian reveal that the administration was mindful not to specifically refer to Hussein's threat as "imminent", so euphamisms were used: "Writing to the chairman of the joint intelligence committee, John Scarlett, and to Tony Blair's chief spin doctor Alastair Campbell, Mr Powell cautioned against claiming there was any evidence that Saddam was an imminent threat. "'We will need to make it clear in launching the document that we do not claim we have evidence that he [Saddam Hussein] is an imminent threat,' Mr Powell wrote on September 17. "A week later, on September 24, the dossier was published - with a foreward describing Saddam Hussein as presenting a "serious and current threat". In November 2002, Rumsfeld pondered the meaning of "imminent". "Was the attack then an imminent threat two, three, or six months before? When did the attack on September 11th become an imminent threat, when was it sufficiently dangerous? Now transport yourself forward ... if Saddam Hussein were to take his weapons of mass destruction and transfer them, or use them himself, or transfer them to the al Qaeda, and some of the al Qaeda were to engage in an attack on the United States or on U.S. forces overseas with weapons of mass destruction, when is it such an immediate threat that you must do something?" Rumsfeld again: "Now, at what moment was the threat to -- for September 11th imminent? Was it imminent a week before, a month before, a year before, an hour before? Was it imminent before you could -- while you could still stop it, or was it imminent only after it started and you couldn't stop it, or you could stop one of the three planes instead of two or all three? These are very tough questions." Wolfowitz in 2002: Another question that I’m often asked, is “why act now, why not wait until the threat is imminent?” Again, it seems to me this question has a fairly simple answer. It was expressed very clearly by Senator Joseph Lieberman in the Rose Garden, the day the original Joint Resolution on the Use of Force was introduced. He said, “I have felt for more than a decade now that every additional day that Saddam Hussein is in power in Iraq is an additional day of danger for the Iraqi people, for his neighbors in the region, particularly for the people in the military of the United States, and indeed, for the people of the world.” Condoleeza Rice: The Iraqi regime's violation of every condition set forth by the U.N. Security Council for the 1991 cease-fire fully justifies -- legally and morally -- the enforcement of those conditions. It is also true that since 9/11, our nation is properly focused as never before on preventing attacks against us before they happen. ...some threats are so potentially catastrophic -- and can arrive with so little warning, by means that are untraceable -- that they cannot be contained. Extremists who seem to view suicide as a sacrament are unlikely to ever be deterred. And new technology requires new thinking about when a threat actually becomes "imminent." So as a matter of common sense, the United States must be prepared to take action, when necessary, before threats have fully materialized." Of course the administration argued that Hussein's threat was imminent, in that it was "at hand", "menacing", "perilous." Obviously the word "imminent" can be interpreted many ways. No war critic is arguing that the Bushies made it seem as if the threat was so great as to be unavoidable, but Bush and his crew repeatedly called the Hussein threat an imminent one, whether they used that actual adjective or other, similar ones.

What you and I are paying for in Iraq

According to this Congressman: 100 million for several new housing communities, complete with roads, schools and a medical clinic; $20 million for business classes, at a cost of $10,000 per Iraqi student; $900 million for imported kerosene and diesel, even though Iraq has huge oil reserves; $54 million to study the Iraqi postal system; $10 million for prison-building consultants; $2 million for garbage trucks; $200,000 each for Iraqis in a witness protection program; $100 million for hundreds of criminal investigators; and, $400 million for two prisons, at a cost of nearly $50,000 per bed!

How could Americans have benefitted from their $87 billion?

Shocking numbers from msnbc/newsweek: 1. HOMELAND SECURITY For $87 billion you could … More than double the Department of Homeland Security’s 2004 budget or Spend 22 times what Congress appropriated to cities and states in aide to first responders this year or Spend almost 15 times what President Bush has proposed for bioterrorism preparedness funding nationwide — “911 does not ring at the statehouse; it rings at city hall,” said James Garner, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in a Sept. 17 statement. “Cities are the first to respond in a crisis, but last in line for funds.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EDUCATION For $87 billion you could … Hire more than 2 million new teachers or Spend an additional $1,824 on each child in American public schools or Spend seven times more than the President’s proposal for Title 1 education programs in fiscal year 2004. —“The so-called ‘No Child Left Behind Act’ is underfunded by eight billion dollars,” says Kathleen Lyons of the National Education Association, a teacher’s union. “This administration has misplaced priorities about funding.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEALTH CARE For $87 billion you could … Triple the 2004 budget for the National Institutes of Health or Spend 58 times the proposed federal funding for community health centers in 2004 or Spend $7,909 on each American child without health insurance. —“In the congressional budget resolution … there is $50 billion in expanded health coverage for the uninsured,” says Ron Pollack of the nonprofit health-care advocacy group Families USA. “It does not appear that that money is going to get spent … This issue is being ignored by the White House and the Congress.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLICE/FIRE SAFETY For $87 billion you could … Hire more than 2 million new police officers nationwide or Hire more than 2 million new firefighters —“Two thirds of the fire departments in this nation are understaffed,” says George Burke of the International Association of Firefighters. “Because of cuts in federal spending to the states we are facing the worst crisis since the Great Depression.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFGHANISTAN For $87 billion you could … Spend 87 times what has so far been promised in American aid to rebuild Afghanistan or Spend $5.4 million on each of the 16,000 Afghan women who die in childbirth each year or Spend $26.9 million for each square mile of the Kunar region where many believe Osama bin Laden is hiding out. —“We’ve only barely begun the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Less than 1 percent of what is needed has actually been done,” says Peter Bell, CEO of CARE, the international humanitarian group. “In the end it’s a matter of priorities. I suspect Iraq will be given a higher priority.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMMIGRATION For $87 billion you could … Spend 233 times the current budget for border security or Spend $16.4 million on each mile of shared border with Canada and Mexico or Spend $26,363 on every immigrant who arrived in the United States between 2000 and 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ENVIRONMENT For $87 billion you could … Increase the EPA’s budget more than tenfold. or Spend 58 times more than what the president has proposed for research on hydrogen-powered cars —With $87 billion “we could clean up once and for all America’s worst toxic waste sites and dirtiest power plants and help protect hundreds of communities from wildfires,” says Eric Antebi of the Sierra Club. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIDS For $87 billion you could … Spend 27 times more on AIDS research than the federal government spent in fiscal year 2000 or Spend $226,029 on each individual AIDS patient in the United States. or Fulfill the president’s promise of $3 billion in funding for AIDS in Africa this year and have enough left over to make a similar commitment for 28 years to come. —“Full funding of the president’s initiative [on AIDS funding for Africa] would’ve been $3 billion this year. We’re a billion dollars short,” says CARE CEO Peter Bell. “The $87 billion [for Iraq] just skates the issue.”

"New American Patriotism"

Clark is traveling the country this week, introducing his "New American Patriotism" initiative.

In a speech today at Hunter College in New York, Clark will give the first of four speeches outlining his initiative. Today's speech will focus on "service", and Clark will announce that he intends to create a Civilian Reserve, which will focus on rekindling the spirit of volunteerism that poured out of Americans following the September 11th attacks.

"A New American Patriotism calls on leadership that will make the right choices for all of our people; it calls for an administration that unites our country and works with the world community, and it calls all Americans to action in order to make the commitments and sacrifices to meet these historic challenges."

The Civilian Reserve would permit ordinary citizens to register to contribute their talents and labor, creating a "safety net of skilled Americans who are willing to help in times of trouble", without any new bureaucracy being needed.

The next three speeches will focus on the economy, health care, and national security.

Meanwhile, the Bush administration has given the American people a recession, a jobless "recovery", a tax cut that mostly benefits the wealthiest 1% of Americans, a tax cut that, in turn, cuts funding to the States, thus causing States to raise taxes or cut vital services, a war that the administration chose to fight, based either on faulty intelligence or intelligence that the administration knowingly fabricated or "sexed up", a resulting guerilla war in which American servicemen are dying at a rate of 1-2 per day, a war that we easily won, but are now left to "peacekeep" on our own, because our administration was too cocky, headstrong and paranoid to obtain international manpower and financial assistance.

Just think. We're being asked to spend $87 billion of what Bush snarkily called the "people's money" in 2000, to ensure that Iraqis can, among other things, get healthcare. Meanwhile, back here in the US, more people are uninsured now than they were in 2002. (43.5 million Americans are uninsured, up 5.3% from last year, and the highest number in 10 years). Why is Bush sending the people's money to the Iraqi people? Why did Bush take over and occupy a middle-eastern country with huge oil reserves, and yet gas prices are still at record-high levels?

Is there anyone out there who doesn't realize that we desperately need a change in 2004?

How about a President who focuses on service (i.e., working for something greater than one's own self-interest), the economy, health care, and national security? How about Wesley Clark?

Yahoo! Group now up & running

As we discussed at last night's meetup, Jeremy set up our own Yahoo Group called buffaloforclark. The URL is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/buffaloforclark.

This group will act as an old-fashioned listserv: an email to the group from one person will be sent to all the members. It's a great tool to get the word out fast, and anyone who joins can participate.

Meetup Recap

We had a great meetup at Spot Coffee at 765 Elmwood in Buffalo. Although Spot wasn't the best environment for a spirited political discussion, it seemed as if everyone had a good time. It was a nice turnout - 12 people attended.

It's hard to explain just how significant this is, given that these 12 people - almost none of whom knew each other previously - went out on a Monday night to show their support for, and volunteer to help, a Presidential candidate who's only been in the race for about 3 weeks.

I want to thank everyone who attended and gave suggestions and attention. I want to thank everyone who stayed after the meetup to fill out postcards to send to local political leaders. I want to thank Dave Swarts, who gave a great presentation explaining the New York State Democratic Party delegate selection / petition procedure.

We will have just 6 weeks - from November 26 - January 2 - to collect 1,500 signatures of registered Democratic voters from each of the congressional districts that make up Western New York. Each of these districts reaches well outside the immediate Buffalo-Niagara region. (Louise Slaughter's district reaches out to Rochester. Jack Quinn's district reaches down to Chautauqua Co.) We will definitely have our work cut out for us.

In addition, I hope everyone can make it to the Syracuse rally, and don't forget to call Little Rock and ask them to send General Clark out to address the rally, and the issues surrounding the departure from Syracuse of hundreds of manufacturing jobs, which will be going to Singapore.

Finally, don't forget to check out the meetup website, where I'll post the pictures from the meetup. Cheers.

Edit: check out the comments. Here is where to go if you're interested in the Rochester, NY for Clark group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RochesterForClark

Here's a picture of our group.

Meetup -- Calling all Clark in 2004 Supporters in Buffalo, NY

Tonight is the meetup.

We're set for 7pm at Spot Coffee at 765 Elmwood Avenue. I have confirmed with the store. It looks like we'll have about 30 people attending. If anyone has a laptop, please go to the www.clark04.com website & download the video message from General Clark, and bring your laptop to the meetup tonight.

Clark in Statistical Dead Heat with GWB

According to a new poll reported in the New York Post: "Clark was the only Democratic candidate in a tie with Bush, the poll found, although four other Democrats trailed Bush by 9 percent or less. Not only did Clark fare the best against Bush, he was the No. 1 choice among Democrats outright, the poll found.

"But Clark is clearly a real contender for the White House - and proof of that came in last week's Arizona debate, when the other Democratic candidates ganged up on him. "

The GOP brand of "fiscal conservatism"

This new data, reported in the Washington Post should make your skin crawl: "Federal tax receipts relative to the overall economy have reached their lowest level since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, while government spending has climbed to the highest point since Bill Clinton declared the era of big government over, according to new figures released by the Congressional Budget Office. " Translation: The Feds are taking in less money than at any point since the 50s. Yet, they are spending more than any other time in history. Well, since the Republicans control the Executive Branch, the House and the Senate, they can't rightly blame this on the Democratic Party, can they?

The CB & the CC make nice.

In local news, the Control Board has, apparently, pledged sufficient fealty to the Common Council to make even Jim Pitts happy. "The meeting today convinced me that Mr. Baker, the control board and the staff are concerned about service delivery and will work with us to make sure that services are provided to the residents of the City of Buffalo," said Council President James W. Pitts. "

** TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER! **

***URGENT*** You MUST be a registered democrat in order to vote for Clark in the March 2004 NYS primary.

The DEADLINE TO CHOOSE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AFFILIATION for the 3/04 primary in New York State is TODAY. If you are a Clark supporter and wish to vote for him in next March's primary, today is the day to ensure that you are a registered Democrat. I urge anyone who is unregistered, or is registered as a member of any party other than the Democratic Party, and any unaffiliated voters to go to their local County Clerk's or County Board of Elections office today and change their affiliation IN PERSON. If you try to do it by any other means, it may be too late. Go to http://www.elections.state.ny.us/voting/voting.htm for more information

Clark tops CNN/USA Today Poll

Here is the explanation why Clark took so many hits in yesterday's debate. He tops all the other candidates among Democrats nationwide by a very comfortable margin.

The Debate

I watched most of the debate last night, while switching between the Sox/Yankees game and Survivor. (I taped it and watched most of it at 9pm). Clark and Dean took the most hits last night, which, in my mind, merely underscores the fact that Washingtonians Lieberman and Kerry see them as the biggest threat right now.

I think Clark did a fantastic job parrying jabs that Lieberman, Edwards and Dean threw his way. He's calm, informed, and well-prepared. I'm always struck by just how articulate he is.

Lieberman, on the other hand, seemed shrill and it was obvious that he loves to hear his own voice. Hey, Joe: even a runaway train comes to a stop.

The best line of the night, however,belongs to Sen. John Kerry, who quipped: that one way to get cheaper prescription drugs is "you can hire Rush Limbaugh's housekeeper"

Texas GOP Platform

Please surf on over to Calpundit and check out the Texas Republican Party Platform. It's enough to make your hair stand on end.

Dowd

In case you missed it, Rumsfeld's and the Pentagon's role in the rebuilding of Iraq has been coopted by Condoleeza Rice, the NSC and a new "Iraqi Stabilization Council", which Dowd dryly refers to as the "Fat Chance Club." Apparently, Rice insists that Rumsfeld was consulted before this fundamental shift in responsibility was undertaken, but Rumsfeld has publicly denied having been informed ahead of time, and has publicly bristled at the whole notion of the Pentagon being taken out of the Nation building loop. Leave it to the New York Times' Maureen Dowd to cut right through the treacle and focus on the complete chaos now gripping the White House. Dowd also has a great line about General Clark and Treasongate: "It doesn't help to have a former-NATO-commander-turned-presidential-contender running around telling the country that the Bush dream team is a bunch of dunces. Or a former-diplomat-turned-angry-husband-of-an-outed-spy running around telling the country that the Bush dream team is a bunch of backstabbing lawbreakers who are dead wrong on Iraq." Just six months ago, Bush reelection seemed inevitable, and he seemed politically invincible. Now, it seems like Bush and his team can't do anything right. Now, deep down, didn't we know that all along?

DEADLINE TOMORROW

***URGENT*** You MUST be a registered democrat in order to vote for Clark in the March 2004 NYS primary. The DEADLINE TO CHOOSE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AFFILIATION for the 3/04 primary is TOMORROW: OCTOBER 10th. If you are a Clark supporter and wish to vote for him in next March's primary, tomorrow is the day to ensure that you are a registered Democrat. I urge anyone who is unregistered, or is registered as a member of any party other than the Democratic Party, and any unaffiliated voters to go to their local County Clerk's or County Board of Elections office today or tomorrow and change their affiliation IN PERSON. If you try to do it by any other means, it may be too late. Go to http://www.elections.state.ny.us/voting/voting.htm for more information

New York State Clark Leadership Conference

The NYS Clark Leadership Conference has a website up, and they are gearing up for a big statewide rally in Syracuse on October 18th. Here is the link to their new site. AUCTION FOR KOREAN VETS At 2 pm, we are opening the halls to everyone and hoping that EVERYONE is just who will come -- for a rousing, rollicking, roof- raising rally for Wesley Clark, the man who can and will be the next president. To start the afternoon in the spirit of General Clark’s commitment to community service, we are holding an auction to benefit disabled Korean War Veterans. The items in the auction have been donated by nationally famous celebrities, from Denzel Washington to Elizabeth Taylor. One of the items is a book to be inscribed personally to the winning bidder by President Bill Clinton! THE BIG RALLY At 2:30, we celebrate the candidacy of Wesley Clark by coming together to speak, listen and cheer. Expect some fantastic and famous speakers. Expect to shout and stomp. This is New York's and especially upstate New York's chance to shine. It will also launch a one-year-and-two-week effort to bring in this state for Wesley! The rally will end at about 4 pm. Before, in between and after these events, there will be structured and some un-structured caucus time. In other words, it will be a day full of serious talk and lots of fun, too. We are planning the day carefully, so that most New Yorkers can travel to and from the Conference & Rally in one day. The location of the NYS CLARK LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AND RALLY is the Birchmeyer Auction House, 301 Hiawatha Blvd. East, at the corner of Park Street. It is just around the corner from the Carousel Mall, and within walking distance of the Regional Transportation Center bus and train station.

A Message from General Clark

Dear Friends: It's been an exciting three weeks. What began with a small group of citizens concerned about the direction of the country has now become a political force to be reckoned with. We all should be proud of how far we've come. In the last three weeks, we have: - Criss-crossed the country, from Florida to California, New Hampshire to Iowa. - Raised $3.5 million dollars. - Opened the national headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas, where we will remain centered throughout the 2004 campaign. - Laid out an aggressive plan to put Americans back to work. You've probably heard that Donnie Fowler, who helped us launch this ambitious campaign, has decided to move on. We appreciate how much he did to meld your grassroots movement with the mechanics of building a winning presidential bid. He is among the few who truly grasp how the Internet has changed campaigning. We thank him for his work and applaud his vision, and look forward to working together in the future. We are now moving into the next phase of our campaign under the leadership of Eli Segal, who served as founding CEO of AmeriCorps, the national service initiative launched in 1993, and has a distinguished record of campaign successes. On Monday, October 13, we're inviting early supporters and new ones to come together in cities across the country in a large MeetUp. Please see www.clark04.com to find your local chapter. I'll be appearing via Webcast to give you the first word on our upcoming campaign plans and events. Thank you again for the energy and commitment you're bringing to the campaign. Sincerely, Wes Clark

Inside the Clark Campaign

Interesting post regarding the major players running the Clark campaign.

Buy Gear!

http://www.cafeshops.com/wny4clark. Don't forget to check out some WNY for Clark gear!

RSVP for meetup!

Spot Coffee on Elmwood is the big winner in the meetup vote. As I posted before (incessantly, some may say), I don't think Spot is very accommodating for 70-ish people, but I suppose flexibility is in order. Please go RSVP - let's have a big turnout and show the National campaign that Western New York is Clark Country.

The Clark Sphere gives us props.

Thanks to theclarksphere.com for the link & props.

Clark Campaign Mgr resigns

Donnie Fowler resigned as Clark 04 campaign manager yesterday, but the campaign insists that this is not necessarily a negative development, per se. I'm sure many campaigns go through conflict and growing pains, and since I know little about it, I have equally little to comment about. There is an open thread regarding this issue not up via the Wesley Clark 04 Blog. Here's a direct link to the comments section.

Clark '04 Campaign Store

Finally, the campaign has a store online. Please visit to get your buttons, signs, bumper stickers, etc. Payment is through paypal, so you might want to create an account before visiting the store. The store is located at www.big-impressions.biz/clark/index.html.

President Ramble

Does President Bush come with subtitles? "This is a town where a lot of people leak, and I've constantly expressed my displeasure with leaks, particularly of classified information. I hope we can get this investigation done in a thorough way, as quickly as possible." Did he really say "a lot of people leak"? He's also saying that he is "displeased" by felonious disclosure of classified, sensitive, national security information. He hopes that the Justice Department's "investigation" goes quickly; i.e., he hopes they get it over with fast. "You tell me: how many sources have you had that's leaked information, that you've exposed or had been exposed? Probably none...I don't know if we're going to find out the senior administration official. I don't have any idea. I'd like to. I want to know the truth." edit: NOW I get it. It's that screwy "English syntax" again. What Bush fails to realize is that we don't have to rely on Novak to reveal his source: the source is a senior official in his own administration. Presumably, if Bush really cared about this leak, heads would have been rolling already, seeing as how the leak was reported in July 2003. Furthermore, law professor/blogger Eugene Volokh has already documented here exactly how Novak could be compelled to reveal his source, or go to jail. In his second pronouncement, Bush basically says that we'll never know who gave Valerie Plame's name and identity to Bob Novak. Mwua ha ha ha ha ha ha. "This is a large administration and there's a lot of senior officials." Ignoring for a moment Bush's minimal grammatical grasp, he's basically saying that the White House staff is gosh-darn big, and boy howdy it's going to be hard to *gulp* question all of them. I honestly don't know why this guy gets any credit whatsoever for being Mr. Homeland Security. "I have no idea whether we'll find out who the leaker is, partially because, in all due respect to your profession, you do a very good job of protecting the leakers," While ignoring the law concerning non-disclosure of confidential news sources, Bush's remark begs the question: why are we depending on Bob Novak to withhold/reveal his source? Why can't the White House get to the bottom of this. After all, it's know about it since July 14, 2003. That's three months, to you and me. Adding a note of optimism, Bush said, "But we'll find out." Bush says: "I have no idea whether we'll find out who the leaker is...but we'll find out." Don't forget, kids: This is the leader of the free world talking. Ugh, I have a headache from all this "accountability" and from the "grownups" being back in charge. (Update: I finally figured out what Bush meant about "how many sources have you had that's leaked information...", and react accordingly. )

Clarkonomics

Business Week takes a look at General Clark's economic plan and it's a positive piece. Here are the bulletpoints to Clarkonomics: PARTIALLY ROLL BACK BUSH'S TAX CUTS. Clark would only cut the tax breaks for families making $200,000/year and up, generating $50 billion in 2004-2005, and $900 billion through 2013. Clark would use that money to strengthen homeland security, pay for a health-care initiative (to be announced later), and to reduce the now-runaway deficit. ECONOMIC STIMULUS $100 billion over the first two years, including: $40 billion to strengthen homeland security and domestic infrastructure; $40 billion to assist states with education and health care costs, which have been skyrocketing; and $20 billion in tax breaks and incentives to encourage companies to purchase new equipment, hire workers, and keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S. ATTACK THE DEFICIT. Clark would use about $500 billion for deficit reduction. FREE AND FAIR TRADE While Clark supports NAFTA and the WTO, he would insist that new agreements satisfy international environmental and labor standards, and he opposes fixed exchange rates in countries such as China -- a policy that would boost U.S. exporters. The kicker is that the Democratic party is now the party of fiscal conservatism. The GOP enjoys voodoo economics - tax cuts & spending increases.

And Then There Were Nine.

Senator Graham dropped out of the presidential hunt last night, announcing same on the Larry King show. Best wishes to him and his supporters.

It's About What Your Beliefs Are

Here is a story about Clark's appearance in Iowa yesterday in connection with Sen. Tom Harkin's "Hear it from the heartland." The party faithful on hand quizzed Clark on a variety of topics, including the economy, foreign policy and Clark's recent membership in the Democratic Party. Most of those quoted went away impressed. Many reasons for them to be impressed: "It’s not about how long you’ve been in a party; it’s about what your beliefs are. Let me tell you something, I’m going to bring a lot of new people to this party."

Zogby Poll New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, Dean is down 8 points off his August 23rd high of 38%, with Kerry trailing with 20% (up from 17% in August). Clark hits 10% within a week of his announcement. I have a feeling the independent-minded voters of New Hampshire might even Clark up with Dean next month?

Meetup and other stuff

Spot Coffee is still winning the tally for next week's meetup, and it seems as if it will be held there. Of course, the problem is that we'll probably have over 70 people there, and Spot will be crowded and overwhelmed if we all show up there. I still think the Brounschidle is the best meetup location and urge people to change their votes accordingly. In the event that Spot wins, we'll hold the meetup there, with the top agenda items being: 1. Location of future meetings; 2. Frequency of future meetings. We'll need a coordinated regionwide effort to get petition signatures throughout the winter, and biweekly meetings will probably be necessary sooner rather than later; 3. Establishment of a steering committee and specialized committees to handle the various aspects of the local campaign.

Clark on CSPAN tonight 10/6 at 8pm EDT

Clark is on C-Span tonight with Senator Tom Harkin's "Hear it from the Heartland" series. Check it out.

Neocons are scared of Clark

Follow-up on last week's Joshua Micah Marshall interview of General Clark for his blog. Marshall noted a scathing rebuke published in the neocon "New York Sun", and responds thusly: "But when you see these slashing words from the neocons against Clark, it's not because he's 'confused' about anything. It's because he's got their number. And they know it. "

Wow.

Michael Tomasky writes: "But to Junior and Karl Rove, 'the most insidious of traitors' are people who exercise their right to free speech by writing a newspaper column. When W. and Rove hear the word 'traitor,' they think not of their country. They think of their agenda. And anyone who doesn't go along with it is guilty of treason. " Click the link to read a great piece.

Wesley Clark on Iraq: What Went Wrong

General Clark has a piece in The New York Review of Books called Iraq: What Went Wrong. Great read from a great mind. Thanks to Dimmy Karras and The Clark Sphere for the link.

Stresstabs

Click here for a funny. Is it irony or mere coincidence that Limbaugh's top banner ad reads as follows: "The Rush Limbaugh Show ...Time to Take your Stresstabs."

More Limbaugh

Scoobie Davis is all over this story. Edit: Limbaugh's not on the air today (aw shucks). I certainly hope Scoobie's the 1st to call in just the moment El Rushbo returns. Two observations: 1. "What we have here is a little social concern in the N.F.L.," he said. "The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well - black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve."

Read that quote again. It’s an ignorant opinion that makes no sense. First, he accuses the NFL of “social concern”, which is merely code for the NFL practicing what he apparently believes is some sort of unjustified affirmative action.

If McNabb was good enough to become QB for the Eagles, he did it on his own merits, not because of some program.

Then, in the next sentence, Limbaugh somehow drags the media into the fray – that the MEDIA somehow want black coaches and black QBs doing well. I’m not aware of too many instances where the “media” have a particular opinion about anything. I don’t know how radios, TVs and recording devices form opinions, but what do I know? But seriously, Limbaugh doesn’t realize that he is the media. Especially when he tries to go mainstream by joining an ESPN program. He was an unfunny, mean hack when he broadcast a 14-year old Chelsea Clinton’s face while commenting that the picture depicted the family dog, (which, by the way, he tried to argue was an “accident” – but that accident occurred on a tape-to-broadcast show, and could easily have been edited out), and he’s an unfunny, mean, ignorant, racial hack now. 2. "My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated," Limbaugh said in a statement issued late Wednesday night. "I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret."

Discomfort to the crew? Come on. His statement should have read: “My comments this past Sunday were directed at the NFL, and then in a strange non-sequitur, at the media, and were not motivated by any racial animus…I offered an opinion. This opinion was insulting, ignorant, and caused discomfort to the NFL, Donovan McNabb, and the people involved in the production of Sunday NFL Countdown. I am ashamed, and regret the offense that I caused.”

But not Limbaugh…arrogant to the end.

Maybe it was the oxycontin talking.

Rush Limbaugh: Drug Addict?

Rush Limbaugh, in the news again. You know, when it rains, it pours. I wonder how Mr. Morals - Mr. Values - is going to spin this truly grotesque story. Other people have lost their careers for less. If true, he should also go to jail.

Clark urges ESPN to fire Limbaugh!

Ha ha ha ha ha. : "In a letter to ABC president Alex Wallau, Clark said, 'There can be no excuse for such statements. Mr. Limbaugh has the right to say whatever he wants, but ABC and ESPN have no obligation to sponsor such hateful and ignorant speech. Mr. Limbaugh should be fired immediately.'" You know, some people over at Atrios have commented that it feels kind of like Christmas lately, what with Treasongate and Limbaugh's racism. I have to agree.

Talking Points Memo Interviews General Clark

Great and insightful interview of General Clark by talkingpointsmemo.com's Joshua Micah Marshall. Clark talks about deciding to become a Democrat, school choice, foreign relations, Iraq, North Korea, and much more. My favorite quote: "This administration thought it was better for the country to permit North Korea to go ahead with the nuclear development program rather than to talk to it. In other words, this administration was more worried about embarrassing itself in front of its right-wing base by talking to the North than it was in preventing the emergence of another nuclear-armed power that could proliferate nuclear weapons. It was a tragic--it will be, it's possible that it could be, a tragic miscalculation. And like much I see in this administration, it's an administration that's put politics over sound policy. "

Off-topic humor

Some of you may know that right-wing proto-fascist Rush Limbaugh made an overtly racist comment earlier this week about the Philadelphia Eagles' African-American QB, Donovan McNabb. Limbaugh is taking a lot of heat for his comments, primarily because he made the mistake of speaking them outside the padded four walls of his own show, where his sycophantic audience of "dittoheads" couldn't merely nod their heads in agreement. Now, Limbaugh, in a characteristic display of pathetic "poor me" behavior, is underscoring his complete inability to understand the Constitution of the United States. Limbaugh whines, "We supposedly have freedom of speech in this country." Of course, Limbaugh fails to understand (if stupid), or omits (if merely shrewd) that our 1st Amendment freedom of speech is protected merely against governmental interference. If the general population wants to criticize Limbaugh, they can. If the media want to stick it to Limbaugh, they can. If ESPN, ABC, or Disney want to fire Limbaugh, they can. It's the American way!

Doonesbury on Clark vs. Bush

Doonesbury is summing it up very nicely.