I am posting this Diary for a friend, Gordon Suber, who neglected to become a member of kos in time to post it here himself. His observations are important. They should be shared. I'll add my own comments below in the discussion.
The highlight of the gathering of 400 or so members of the DNC -- plus state party chairs, money people (including some from New York), the national press and media corps, and more than a thousand others -- would be, according to the written information handed me as part of the media, to hear from "the 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidates
Now I had been with General Clark six days earlier in Minton, Nevada, and two days ago read a statement from one of Clark’s spokespeople confirming that he was not a declared candidate, and I presumed he would not declare a candidacy at this forum.
So I went to DC musing how Howard Dean, chair of the DNC, had approved Wes Clark’s appearance along with all the people who had formed presidential exploratory committees -- or had announced they were seeking the presidency.
After all, declared candidates had already spent millions of dollars. How would they react to non-candidate General Wesley Clark getting free national exposure and time to address the movers and shakers of the Democratic Party?
The answer came when Dean gave his opening remarks and said that the audience would listen to "announced" candidates and those whose candidacy was "imminent."
Was that it? Chairman Dean was assured a Clark candidacy was "imminent"?
Indeed, that is precisely what I think.
Otherwise, why would the Chairman of the DNC extend an invitation to General Clark, knowing that he would incur the wrath of the other candidates – unless he could assure them?
*****
Seating in The International Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel, looked like this:
• Members of the DNC -- front and center.
• Guests
• Media
• Standing room
The program started at 9 AM.
Doors to the ballroom opened at eight. With my fifth cup of coffee and my lap-top computer, I found a choice seat with the bloggers, print, TV, and broadcast media. It was there that I encountered three writers for national magazines who also appear as talking heads on television.
After identifying myself, I asked, "Why doesn’t General Clark get more attention?" To paraphrase their responses, they said they only had so much space (just so many words) to write, or just so many seconds to state their findings or opinions. "If he becomes a candidate, he’ll get press," one told me.
Minutes later, hordes of mostly young people (to me that means anyone under thirty-five) traipsed in, bearing placards. Directly in front of me were forty or so that exclaimed "Dodd For President." To my left, dozens settled in with "Hillary" signs. Then "Edwards 2008." Obama people came later, so they had to scatter throughout the auditorium. A few Kucinich signs were in evidence.
Senator Christopher Dodd spoke first. As Dodd entered the stage, his sycophants rose in unison, waved their signs and cheered mightily. When Dodd finished speaking, they left the arena, to the glee of some of those standing.
The same for Senator Barack Obama, but fewer people left when he finished.
It was General Clark’s turn.
John Edwards had a noisy, supportive group. Congressman Dennis Kucinich much less so.
Then it was time for Senator Hillary Clinton. In the interlude before she appeared, supporters traveled the audience with signs, offering them to anyone willing to take one.
All-in-all, it reminded me of a national party convention.
******
General Clark’s speech.
For nearly four years, I have borne witness to dozens of General Clark’s speeches – and watched videos of dozens more.
The General is generally reluctant to extol personal accomplishments.
Not so yesterday before hundreds of SUPER-DELEGATES from across America -- who had come to the nation’s capital to listen to those in search of their support.
Here is some of what Clark said:
"I helped end a war in Bosnia, and commanded the forces that won a war in Europe to stop ethnic cleansing by the Serbs. And we won it without losing a single American life in combat."
"I've done coalition-building, peacekeeping and postwar reconstruction."
"I helped train the Army for battle."
"I helped create the national security strategy for the United States."
And then this, "I'm the ONLY PERSON (my emphasis added) today, who has actually done the things necessary to succeed."
What say you, Senators Clinton, Obama, Dodd, and Biden, Governors Vilsack and Richardson, Representative Kucinich, and former Senators Gravel and Edwards? The former NATO Supreme Allied Commander was talking about you!
*****
And finally, this:
A member of the print media told me that General Clark and his wife, Gert are to vacation soon on a tropical island.
If that is the case, I trust they will rest together and experience the quiet.
The roaring crowds will soon be with them.