General Clark supporters gather in Oakland, around nation

Filling about half of Pamela’s Restaurant in Oakland, supporters of the grass roots “Draft… Filling about half of Pamela’s Restaurant in Oakland, supporters of the grass roots “Draft Clark” movement waited for a written address, regarding the 2004 presidential race to be posted on the Internet – from a man who has yet to declare himself a candidate.

The address did not come.

The meeting, which lasted Monday from approximately 7 p.m. until 8:41 p.m., was part of an ongoing effort to encourage General Wesley Clark to run for president. The volunteers in the movement, which they have dubbed Draft Clark, anticipated that Clark would announce his candidacy within the next couple of days, if not on Monday.

“When Clark announces [his candidacy], there’s going to be a dam burst,” Tim Feinstein, meeting’s key organizer, predicted at the beginning of the evening.

Clark, who recently declared himself a Democrat, had left even his supporters in the dark. He offered very little information pertaining to the nature and content of his address before its release.

The Web site in charge of releasing the online address told the Pittsburgh chapter of volunteers that they would have access to Clark’s address at 8:04 p.m.

At the scheduled time, the address had not been posted. When it did appear online, approximately 20 minutes later, it was unavailable to the computer that had been set up in Pamela’s Restaurant for the purpose of receiving the address.

Organizers said they suspected similar meetings across the nation had overwhelmed the Web site hosting the address.

There were 150 Draft Clark meetings scheduled to occur simultaneously, according to Feinstein.

During the past days of anticipation of Clark’s announcement, pundits have expressed doubts about Clark’s chances because of the lack of time left in the campaign.

But Clark’s supporters, as well as Clark himself, have dismissed such claims.

In an August interview with Newsweek, Clark said, “I’ve got recon out there. I’ve got some heavy artillery that can come in. I’ve got good logistics, and I’ve got strategic mobility.”

Clark’s heavy artillery consists of a volunteer base willing to commit to a candidate that, as of right now, does not exist, politically.

Clark is able to draw a following with his appeal to a vast portion of the electorate, his impressive resume and, perhaps most importantly, his ability to beat President George W. Bush, according to Feinstein.

Bush, as the incumbent, has held an approval rating of more than 50 percent for much of his term in office.

“The sensible [people] left will see Clark as their ally,” Feinstein said, adding that Clark’s military record could help him draw in Republican swing voters.

Clark is a four-star U.S. general who also served as the NATO Commander during Operation Allied Force in Kosovo.

Feinstein continued by describing Clark as someone “who can very calmly present his ideas and his agenda.”

Although the meeting at Pamela’s Restaurant concluded before the group ever obtained the address, the gathering included a lengthy question-and-answer period, when both those newly introduced to Clark and his staunch supporters shared ideas and information

“When Clark’s [official] platform comes out, he will be on the left of [Howard] Dean in most issues,” Feinstein told the audience of less than thirty people.

Convinced that Clark’s personal appeal and track record could sweep the traditionally Republican regions of Pennsylvania, Feinstein labeled Pennsylvania as a “critical state” in the election.

Clark’s abilities as a candidate could amount to nothing, however, if he decides not to run.

The Monday night meeting reflected a growing sentiment among many of Clark’s supporters, who wonder how much longer will they have to wait.

As Clark’s address repeatedly failed to load on the group’s computer, Feinstein jokingly said, “This is kind of what the last month has felt like, isn’t it?”

But the significance of Clark’s impending announcement was not a joking matter to some volunteers, who are growing restless and concerned that Clark may return a negative answer.