It has become obvious that the great General Wesley Clark has decided not to run for President in 2008. By his own admission early this year that he would not make the same mistake of a late entrance has he did prior.
And, the fact at one point on AAR he gave a timeline, and said that he would reach a decision shortly. Or the fact that at the DNC Winter Meeting for which I was present he indicated to me that he was reaching a decision.
I understand why he's not running for President, I just wish he had done it anyway. There's not one person I know of that doesn't deserve to be our President than Wesley Clark.
Most people know the rumors, Clark almost was Kerry's VP in 2004. The problem then with Clark in general was the party didn't feel he had paid his dues. So, the slot went to John Edwards.
Who by all accounts deserved being nominated.
But, in the outgoing interview the former DNC Chairman was asked why in two words we lost the Presidential Election in 2004.
His response, "National Security".
We had the advantage in 2008, I think but there is nothing in life that is a guarantee. We need to have someone on the ticket who has National Security experience.
Unfortunately, most of the leading contenders do not.
That's okay, there is no requirement in our constitution to have military or National Security experience to be the Commander in Chief.
But isn't it going to be useful in 2008? Aren't we going to have one hell of a mess on our hands? Isn't it going to be easier to convince Moderates and Independents in this country that we aren't "far left".
We have a second chance, a second opportunity to get things right in 2008. John Kerry and John Edwards aren't in the White House because of National Security. Kerry's War Service, was not enough.
So who do we have? Bob Kerry, out. Jack Reed, out. John Kerry, out.
Then there's one of my hero's Jim Webb. Former Naval Secretary, Vietnam War Hero, and U.S. Marine. However, right now his best use is in the U.S. Senate where he was been working for us for the past 4 months.
So that leaves us with the other hero of mine, General Wesley Clark. The former NATO Commander, highly decorated Vietnam Veteran, and a International Diplomat from his 34 year distinguished service in the U.S. Army. The U.S. General who's proud to say he's a liberal.
Who along with Webb, has warned us against war not once but twice. First with Iraq both in September 2002 and most recently on Iran.
Someone who party insiders can no longer claim he hasn't paid his dues, since in 2006 he was the most requested surrogate for the DCCC.
Someone who is respected not by just our party, but many across the aisle. General Wesley Clark would work well with any ticket, he'd bring not only National Security experience, but Executive, and Regional (Southerner).
We lost Arkansas in 2004. Along with Montana, New Mexico, Iowa, Ohio, and a few other small states that we could have won.
In this heartland states, Clark brings those in the middle to come out and vote for him. Clark can also put states like Virginia (Where Kaine won in '05 & Webb in '06), and Florida.
Add the math, and perhaps we got a landslide.
It's smart politics for John Edwards, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to start courting up to General Wesley Clark. Not only for his supporters but his backing and his place beside them on the ticket.
It's not just smart politics either, it's good for America.