Edwards Criticizes Clark's Past Comments

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Monday criticized newcomer Wesley Clark's past praise of President Bush and shrugged off concerns about the retired general's White House bid.

Edwards joined several Democratic rivals, including former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, in calling attention to Clark's praise of Bush at a Republican fund-raiser in Arkansas in 2001.

"When a lot of us were fighting hard against the policies of the Bush administration that have done so much damage, that's when these statements were made and I disagree with them very strongly," Edwards told Reuters in an interview between campaign stops in New Hampshire.

Clark, who voted for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon and who admits he is a newcomer to the Democratic Party, has only been in the White House race for about three weeks.
http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3566638

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

1. Wow, isn't this the first time

Edwards has criticized another candidate (other than pointing out policy differences)?

[Renew Deal]

2. Clark is the biggest threat to Edwards southern hopes.

[blm]

6. Last spring

he was heard telling Kerry that Dean was lying about their campaign trail positions on the Iraq war. But, that was an aberration for Edwards.

[DemDogs]

3. Doesn't sound like personal criticism

The quotation says, "When a lot of us were fighting hard against the policies of the Bush administration that have done so much damage, that's when these statements were made and I disagree with them very strongly."
I don't know but it sounds like he was asked about Clark's statements, and his response was that he disagreed. Does anyone have a fuller transcript. Edwards has been one of the cleanest so far.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. That's about policy differences, plain and simple.

Also, pointing out that someone voted for Reagan is certainly not a personal attack either. How can I respect someone who helped put that empty suit into office? I'm sorry I really liked Clark when he was first giving interviews, I like what he says, but voting for Reagan is not something to be taken lightly.

[blm]

5. OTOH...I'm glad

if he was to choose a party that he chose the Dems. He could be much more worrisome as a Republican.

[mmonk]

7. I'm from NC

and I didn't notice him fighting too hard except on judicial appointees. But he went out of his way to support the Iraq invasion. He checked to see which way the wind was blowing.

[DemDogs]

11. That's nonsense

He has been the number Democrat in the Senate on judicial nominations. He was clearly not checking the wind, because he took a lot a hits for his opposition to a number of terrible nominations not just in Southern papers including some in NC who said he was TOO hard on judicial nominees and from some of his donors who complained in the press that he was opposing judges they supported. Now that's political courage and integrity.
Clark people in NC are just smarting from the slap they got from General Hugh Shelton who is a North Carolinian and beloved there. Shelton said he would not support Clark and had relieved him of his NATO command because of issues of "integrity and character."

[surfermaw]

14. Fighting hard enough for me but not for the Jesse Helms people

John Edwards, has fought for the state of North Carolina, more than the right wing ever has, I am not suprised at remarks coming from so called democrats in North Carolina... Republican wolves in democratic clothing.

[Larkspur]

8. Wondering when Edwards would fight back

Considering that Clark eclipsed Edwards' spotlight during his formal announcement day with a meaningless statement about announcing on the following day, I was wondering when Edwards would start fighting back.

[truebrit71]

9. I'm sorry, but since when does voting FOR the Patriot Act..

..constitute "fighting hard against the policies of the Bush administration that have done so much damage."?....

Sorry John I'm not buying....

[JohnKleeb]

10. brit

Theres only one candiate in the race who voted against that? I am constantly told hes unelectable. I do forgive those who voted for it though. Still Kucinich voting against is a + for me.

[DemDogs]

12. Wellstone voted for it. He too was a fighter

against Bush policies.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

13. I wish he was here to explain that vote.