Presented as a Q&A between regular Maxim contributor Col. David Hackworth, and Clark, in the "Grit" section of Maxim.
Expect lotsa ads when you click below:
http://www.maximonline.com/grit/articles/article_5504.htmlExcerpts:
Q:
Why should President Bush be replaced?A: The record speaks for itself. It’s a flawed strategy: an unnecessary war that took us into Iraq and an economic policy that’s been ideologically driven rather than pragmatically developed. And neither has benefited the American people or ordinary working Americans. Beyond that there’s an even more important issue: whether you believe there should be open and transparent decision-making.
Q:
Was Saddam Hussein really a threat to our national security? Would you, as president, have acted differently?A: Um, no, and yes. He demonstrated that he wanted the weapons and was willing to use them, and he talked as if he were chosen by the prophet, but there’s no evidence he was an imminent threat, so it’s a question of command judgment. You’ve got a war going against Al Qaeda. If you go against Iraq, you’ll be pulling away intelligence leadership, command and control, Special Forces. What’s the imminent threat that justifies taking that from national security? I couldn’t see it. I think Paul Wolfowitz was right when he said Iraq has become the centerpiece in the war on terror.
But if you lose there, you lose; and if you win there, you’ve only held your own—you haven’t won the war on terror.Q:
Is it a big deal we haven’t found WMDs?A: I think it’s very damaging to the credibility of the American administration, to our ability to contain Iran, but most of all to the young people in America. I was down in New York City the last few days talking to lots of young people who said, “We trusted the president. We were misled. This wasn’t a threat.” We’ve shaken their faith in American institutions.
Q:
Maxim, as you probably know, is big with our troops. Any messages for ’em?A: Be safe, take care of each other, trust the chain of command and your families at home and love ’em. I am so proud of the men and women in uniform. They’re a very direct inspiration for what I’m doing.