Wesley Clark's unlikely ally By Mark Shields
WASHINGTON (Creators Syndicate) --Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-New York, did not study foreign policy at invitation-only seminars underwritten by major foundations. Nor was he ever the favorite protege of a powerful, senior diplomat. For him, there was never to be a junior year abroad.
<snip>
For valor under fire, Charlie Rangel earned the Bronze Star. For wounds he sustained from enemy fire, Charlie Rangel was awarded the Purple Heart.
<snip>
Thanks to the GI Bill and his own hard work, he graduated with honors from New York University and St. John's Law School before winning election to the House in 1970. Today, Rangel, with unconcealed passion, speaks on two intimately related subjects: how much he opposes the entire U.S. war against Iraq, and how strongly he supports former Gen. Wesley Clark for president.
"This war hurts and scares and pains me more than anything except combat," he admits. Speaking almost sadly, he tells of half a dozen nearly identical personal exchanges with President George W. Bush. Each time the president, with obvious sincerity, asks the same question: "Do you know, Charlie, why we're hated so much?" After Rangel confesses, "I really don't know, Mr. President," Mr. Bush answers his own question: "Because they're evil, Charlie. Because they're evil."
-snip-
Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/09/22/column.shields.opinion.clark/index.html EDITED BY ADMIN FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS