Dems challenge Clark to participate in debate next week

[quinnox]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired Gen. Wesley Clark's day-old presidential bid is already drawing criticism from Democratic rivals who say he should not skip a party-sponsored debate next week.

Clark is scheduled to give a paid speech next Thursday, the day the nine other candidates are scheduled to participate in a debate on economic issues in New York City that will be broadcast live on CNBC. Clark has not yet said which event he will miss.

Jim Jordan, campaign manager for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, said, "I think all Democrats will be disappointed if General Clark passes on an opportunity on national television to lay out his policies for making the American economy stronger and fairer."

In Little Rock, Mary Jacoby, Clark's press secretary, said, "We haven't made a decision on the debate."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-09-18-clark-debate_x.htm


I think Clark should attend, it would be a blunder in my opinion to skip it.

[MR. ELECTABLE]

1. Again...

Seems like Clark has problems making up his mind about ANYTHING. Why the hell would we want him running our country? I guess the military industrial complex was worried about the front runners...

[SlutBunwalla]

2. Gee, didya miss this part?

"Clark is scheduled to give a paid speech next Thursday." Well, gosh, maybe he had a legitimate schedule conflict that he's trying resolve. Not only would it be just flat-out tacky to no-show the speech, there may be legal/contractual issues with getting out of it as well.

Christ, the guy can't win here, can he?

I, by the way, am a Kucinich supporter, so watch wherein ye flame.

[dfong63]

6. if so, it's bad planning from the general,

... who has supposedly been plotting his entry into the contest for months, so everything would be just perfect.

i think it's naive to pretend this is an accidental conflict. Clark has had plenty of time to think and prepare and make plans and make TV appearances and start rumors. but he doesn't have time for the first debate after his long-ballyhooed announcement? that's unacceptable.

Christ, the guy can't win here, can he?

he can't win unless he shows his mettle against the other candidates. a lot of people have had it with Clark's evasiveness, his stalling, his flirting, the rumors... if he can't make it to this debate, he has entered "flake" territory.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. I Used To Work At A Mutlimanagement Company

that managed associations....

We booked our speakers months in advance for our meetings....


How could he possibly have anticipated this conflict?


But by all means bash away.......

[Bucky]

12. not bad planning, sorry

But Clark has been saying for months that he'd make his decision by Nov 19th, when he has a speech--a BIG speech--scheduled for Iowa. That's hardly dodging the debate.

OTOH, it's not a cheap shot for the others to call on him to come on to the big debate instead either. It's just politics as usual. How can all these supposedly politically informed progressives at DU be so easily fooled by the boilerplate hype from the candidates?

[CentristDemocrat]

4. Kucinich, Dean or GREEN. Right?

:eyes:

[Forkboy]

5. repetitive much?

:eyes: back atcha

[Forkboy]

3. They should use the word "invite"

instead of challenge.

[RobertFrancisK]

7. He should go

Since he's only been in for a few days, it wouldn't be terrible for him to skip this one and go to the one in early October, but I'd just love to see him kick ass as soon as possible, so go for it.

[HFishbine]

8. Got Balls?

That Jim Jordon sure does.

[Brian Sweat]

9. Yes,

I'm sure Clark is ducking them and that he has no desire to get the free publicity.

Clark is the one that is missing out by not attending this debate. The other candidates know this. They are just playing politics.

That said, Clark should try to get out of the engagement. He needs to attend the debate. Not because he will look bad if he doesn't, but because he needs the publicity. No one knows who he is.

[GiovanniC]

11. Clark Will Be There

And it'll play very well, too. These news stories that are talking about how he might not make the first debate keep underscoring that he already has a PAID engagement. Clark will cancel this PAID engagement and give the appearance of choosing to debate the issues over a PAID engagement (i.e., money isn't as important as debating the issues).

[VolcanoJen]

13. DEM PARTY OFFICIALS: Clark Will Participate in Debate

Link to LBN Thread by rmpalmer:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=121778

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/09/18/national1732EDT0712.DTL

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark will participate in the Democratic presidential debate next week, party officials said Thursday.

Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Debra DeShong said Clark's campaign confirmed that he will be at the party's debate on economic issues next Thursday in New York City.

Clark was scheduled to give a paid speech on Thursday, the day the nine other candidates were scheduled to participate in the debate that will be broadcast live on CNBC. His aides had said he may have to miss the debate to honor his commitment.

He was criticized by rival campaigns, who said Clark should change his schedule to lay out his position on economic issues.

[ShaneGR]

14. Clark answers "Dem" critics..........

Quote, "What's wrong with you people? I'll be there!"