Wish you all could have been with us for the fundraiser in Dallas last night.

The General was ON FIRE! I counted at least 3 standing O's. I saw him in September and it's amazing how his command of the podium has grown since then. Funny. Sad. Touching. Intense. He had the room of 500 in the palm of his hand. He picked up a whole slew of new recruits right here in the heart of Bush country.

100 miles from Crawford. Whuadda thunk it.

The fundraising event for General Wes Clark in Dallas on January the 12th was a very powerful and inspiring experience for those in attendance. Former DNC financial officer, Jess Hay, opened his introductory speech with "the Democratic Party is alive and well!" In response, the packed ballroom rose in unison and let forth a great roar. Hay went on to effectively argue that not only was General Clark qualified to be President, he was uniquely qualified under the present crises facing our country.

We got to see American Son played over large screen video with full audio. It was very effective in that format.

Then, the man himself took the stage and delivered the most elegant and powerful stump speech that I've ever heard. In every area President Bush and the Republican party claims to have strength, General Clark demonstrates very thoroughly and convincingly that he and the Democratic party has more.

Clark drew four standing ovations during the stump.

His discussion on faith and family values makes the heart sing.

His discussion on patriotism and real leadership makes the pulse rise.

Also note that General Clark spent not a single syllable on the other Democratic Candidates. He didn't even say that he was the best one of the bunch. But I can say with 100% conviction that General Clark is the best hope for the Democratic Party in Texas and that he is the best hope for getting George W. Bush removed from office. When speaking to folks in the South, Clark is irresistible. He will cut into Bush's electoral count!

On a personal level, I've had a Cinderella experience. With a smaller contribution and by virtue of winning a pair of tickets in the lottery system, my wife and I were able to attend this special event. I thought our seats would be in the back of the room since we were there primarily because of our volunteer efforts and not because we had a thousand dollars to contribute. No sir, your seats are at the table in front of and closest to the podium. We were overwhelmed with joy. Being the first to arrive at our table, we sat face on and roughly 12 feet from Clark as he delivered the stunning speech.

After the speech, Wes pressed the flesh around the room. He held my handshake for almost a minute while I talked about my own efforts on his behalf (See www.texasforclark/clarkprofile.htm ). His eyes sparkled as he thanked me warmly for those efforts. I haven't stopped smiling since.

Pat Pangburn and Jess Hay did a truly excellent job of getting this event together!

I was fortunate enough to attend the dinner last night.  I couldn't afford the $1,000/plate initial entrance fee.  But I put my name into the lottery and bid the last $250 I had in my account this month (it's going to be Ramen Noodles for the next couple of weeks).  I was lucky enough to be selected (thank you so much to the organizers of this event for opening it up to those of us with not so much bling-bling).  I drove 3 hours up from College Station and 3 hours back just to see Clark.  After last night, I could do that every day for Clark until November!

Let me concur with you - it was absolutely the best thing I have ever been to in my life.  The positive energy in that room last night will keep me going for a long time.

Before the dinner began, I was able to meet so many wonderful people - so many people with so many different stories and backgrounds all united in their support for Clark.  And, of course, let us not forget the great names of Texas politics we saw there lending their support - Martin Frost, Dolph Briscoe, Bill Hobby, Jr.  And Wes Clark's cousin, Shelley King, was there performing wonderful music throughout the evening.

When we went in to be seated for dinner, I was simply amazed that I was seated right in front of the stage!! I was seated next to Ambassador Olson (former ambassador to Sweden); Ambassador McClellan (Jamaica, I believe) stopped by to visit our table... wonderful to see all the political support that Clark is already lining up.
I couldn't wait for Clark to take the stage... as I told a couple seated next to me (the Oxfords from Stephensville, TX , I have never been this excited about anything or anyone since I last believed in Santa Claus; and Clark has definitely made a believer out of me.

When Clark took the stage, he did not disappoint!  His speech had the crowd roaring.  His timing and delivery were perfect.  And he was not afraid to lay out his policies... his policies on taxes, policies on higher ed funding, affirmative action, the environment - which were all tied to his message on family values.  He got it absolutely right when he spoke to that - "family values" have been used by that other party to create fear and division in this country which is clear evidence that they have no clue about family values!

Now being seated right up front, I was able to catch something in Clark's speech that I think many others in the room may have not noticed.  When he spoke about visiting the slums in Haiti and restoring pride in America - not just pride from within our country - but restoring it abroad so that others in the world could look to us as a friend and role model, Wes's eyes swelled up with tears. I could see right then the veracity of his message and the sincerity in his heart - Wes wants to continue to give back to this country.  His heart is so big, and he, like so many of us, has grown frustrated with the direction our country has been led; and he wants to do all he can to change that.

Not only that, but in listening to him last night and in seeing him in person and in shaking his hand, for the first time in my life (and it has been only 28 years at that), I sincerely feel that I want to
give back, too.  Wes has made me proud as I have ever been to be an American.

In the couple times I was able to shake Wes Clark's hand last night, I could not say "thank you" enough to him.  I just hope that he could
see in me the sincerity I was able to see in him.

Thank you, Wes Clark!

P.S. - Some of you may have caught the coverage in the NY Times about the event (see it on media posts on www.texasforclark.com).  I was the one up front who yelled to Clark that elicited his response.

Last night's Dallas Fundraiser was absolutely AMAZING!  I never imagined I would meet so many high profile Texas Democrats in my life.  Enthusiasm was everywhere you turned, as General Clark received repeated standing ovations and applause. 

He energized the room when he stated that he would take Texas in 2004, but we would need to take George W. Bush back here in Texas for America.  Those words created such hope amongst young Democrats like myself, as well as the battle tested Democrats looking to pass leadership to a younger generation. 

Democrats are starving for leadership and direction, and no doubt Wesley Clark can provide it.  I truly believe we are witnessing the John F. Kennedy of my generation here and now. 

This man is going to win in 2004, and he will take Texas with our help.

I think what struck me was the literal mob scene around him as he left the ballroom. It definitely had a rock-star feel to it!

There was a throng around him and staff members were yelling out, "Step back please! Let's give the General some room."

Maybe that happens every time he makes an appearance but I think he and his campaign staff were overwhelmed at the excitement and energy they experienced in the Republican "stronghold" of Texas.