Edwards Lets Staff Heads Do the Talking

[Freddie Stubbs]

Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) is suddenly taking aim at his fellow southerner and presidential rival Wesley K. Clark, citing criticism of the retired general by former military leaders.

Well, not Edwards himself. Publicly, at least, Edwards mainly sticks to his line from last month's Iowa debate: "People are tired of listening to politicians yell at each other."

But that's why candidates have staffs, and Edwards's aides are taking issue with a new Clark ad that says the Arkansan "fought for better schools" and, given his military background, "will make an extraordinary American president."

Jennifer Palmieri, Edwards's spokeswoman, said, "General Clark's ad is begging the question: What kind of leader will he be? Military leaders he has worked with, and who know him best, seem to have a lot of concern about his ability to lead and be a good president." What's more, she said, "he hasn't laid down any sort of education policy."

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29568-2003Dec2.html

[douginmarshall]

1. Shelton needs to stop

The Edward’s campaign must be worried. This is old news and without support. Hugh Shelton has never given any support to these statements and when he had the chance in 2000 he said nothing and let Secretary of Defense Cohen say the following at a press conference in Kosovo.

Q: This is General Clark's last visit to Kosovo today. Any word on how he has performed his job?
:thumbsup:

Sec Def.: He has done an extraordinary job. General Clark is one of our most brilliant officers. He undertook a mission that is perhaps one the most complicated and complex and carried it out successfully. As I mentioned in my remarks, this air campaign as the most successful in the history of warfare. We had over 38,000 sorties that were flown. We had only two planes that were shot down and no pilots lost. That is a record that is unparalleled in the history of warfare. So, General Clark and his entir staff and subordinates and all who participated deserve great credit.:D

Q: Why is he leaving office, then?

Sec Def.: He is leaving because we have General Ralston who will become the new SACEUR. We are now replacing many of our CINCs throughout the world.

Q: It is not a reflection on his performance?

Sec Def: No reflection at all. He has done an outstanding job as the Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Southern Command, and he did an outstanding job here as EUCOM Commander and also as SACEUR.

Read the entire press conference, Shelton was answering questions also.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/May2000/t05022000_t501koso.html
:kick:
It must also be noted that Shelton is working for the Edward’s campaign. I’m sorry General that Clark made you look bad, get over it and stop trying to bring down a great American and the next POTUS.