I have been watching the news, the campaigns, and I realize we have a very diverse group of Democratic Candidates already in the race for President and the leader of the pack. We probably have the most diverse group to ever be in contention at anytime in history, and it seems absurd that I can not find comfort in any of them.
The person I want to run has not announced, and he has made many statements that he hasn't decided not to run. He has spent the past few years campaigning for Senate and Congressional Candidates across this great nation, from Maine to California, from Washington State to Florida and everywhere in between, why? Because he cares deeply for this nation, and he has the desire to help us get the right leadership in place throughout all levels of our government, from state offices, to all levels of federal offices. He's a real leader, and he has shown it by example and his life.
I have known the man for more than two decades, I first met him as a Colonel at Fort Irwin in the 80's, I again worked for him when he was the Brigadier General in charge of Fort Irwin in 1991, when I was activated with the Georgia National Guards 48th Infantry Brigade. We were the largest and longest rotation to ever train at the National Training Center, they had sent in a combined unit larger than a Mechanized Infantry Divison, with extra capabilities attached, an Engineer Battalion, Air Force units, etc.
Besides getting us ready for deployment to the Middle East, General Clark was also tasked with constructing a duplicate of the Iraqi defensive positions, berms, tank traps, mine fields etc, and the National Guard units ran thru the Iraqi positions every way possible for two months, so that when the units deployed in Saudi Arabia under General Schwarzkopf Jr. were able to run thru the established defenses like a knife thru melted butter. Due to his performance here and his stellar commands he quickly rose to four star and was made the Commander of NATO, where he led the Kosovo War, where not one American Life was lost.
He has the experience of diplomacy, rising thru the ranks of the military is based on performance and being diplomatic, the military is one of the most diplomatic organizations I have ever worked in, I don't think Congress has anything on it. The nation has watched what Donald Rumsfeld did to the General Staff for anyone desiring to rise above the rank of two stars, everyone had to go thru Rumsfeld and his civilian staff to have their names sent to Congress for approval to three and four star ranks, now that is political.
To learn what Wes Clark has been doing for the past few years since he first ran for President in 2004, here is his blog at Securing America, the PAC he formed to help democratic candidates and here are links to statements made by the people across this Nation that support the work Wes Clark continues to do, and most of us are hoping that he will announce his candidacy for President in 2008, why with the field the party already has?
Because you take all the reasons why you support the other candidates, leadership, ideals, diplomacy, fresh ideas, not a career politician, does not need on the job training to be a national Leader, knows how and when military force is needed, knows when to send in the Secretary of State, or a negotiator like Governor Bill Richardson to deal with people like Darfur, North Korea, Libya etc. He would use the assets to their fullest capabilities, I would also trust my sons life to serve in the military under his leadership, not something I would do under President Bush, why, I served with Wesley Clark, and frankly I would follow him to hell and back, why? Because I trust him, and I don't know the others well enough to make the same statement.
I realize with the fast start the 2008 Presidential race has gotten off to, but I will work my ass off, and wear out power chair batteries if Wes will make the announcement, and I am sure there are thousands of other Americans out there like me, he does not have the existing negatives some candidates already have, he has experience, he has learned as a campaigner since 2004, he spent 2006 working the nation for many Congressional and Senate winners. He has built a network, he just needs to decide, so until I hear him say NO, I will keep my powder dry and be ready to run when he says "Follow Me"
Crossposted at Daily Kos
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