Clark contrasts his, Kerry’s military careers

[Freddie Stubbs]

By MICHAEL COUSINEAU
Union Leader Staff

MANCHESTER — Retired General Wesley Clark yesterday noted he “stayed with the U.S. Army” through the Vietnam War, setting up a contrast with White House foe John Kerry, who left the military and became a war critic.

“I stayed with the military all the way through,” Clark told reporters after rallying volunteers at his headquarters. “I stayed with the United States Army through Vietnam. I was company commander there. I fought and I was hit by four rounds.”

Kerry, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1966-69 and won Monday’s Iowa caucuses, has climbed slightly ahead of Clark in some New Hampshire polls leading up to Tuesday’s Democratic Presidential primary.

“I’m only saying I stayed with the United States armed forces. I’m proud I did. Lots of us did,” said Clark, answering a question about his and Kerry’s military service. Clark’s 30-plus years of military culminated with his post as Supreme Allied Commander during the Clinton administration.

more: http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=31989

[Jack_Dawson]

1. I like Kerry. I like Clark.

But I think Clark will wear better outside of New England. Just a hunch.

[Democrats unite]

2. One thing we can all be proud of...

I see the exchanges between Clark & Kerry as civil. Sure they will have to debate the issues, but I think they will both stay above the fray about the military.

[JI7]

3. yes, i do respect clark's service

he should be proud of it. i'm also proud of kerry's service in the military and out of it.

[boxster]

4. I'm a little disappointed that Clark got baited into this by Bob Dole,

of all people. Dole called him "colonel" on Larry King Live in a failed attempt at humor (basically saying that Kerry's perceived new front-runner status "demoted" Clark), and Clark pointed out that he outranked Kerry.

He's handling it well though, and if the race comes down to Clark and Kerry, obviously Clark needs to differentiate himself on this and other issues.

[Jack_Dawson]

5. Clark was joking with Dole

He was hardly "baited". Clark knows he's a political rookie - he's proud of it!

[boxster]

7. He handled it well, but it was still a little unnecessary.

It was just one of those moments that made me cringe a little. Not because I disagree with it at all. But, even though Clark's comment was obviously the truth, I saw him being portrayed as an elitist, blah, blah. "He thinks he's better than Kerry, blah, blah." I just saw it turning into yet another inane issue that pulls away from discussion on real issues.

I think I've been spending way too much time on DU. When I start to see candidate statements more for how they will be reacted to than for their actual content, you know it's going to be a long campaign!

Hehe. I'm a huge Clark supporter, and I basically just wanted the opposition to have as little ammunition as possible (pardon the military reference pun).

[JI7]

8. he is probably just proud of his service

in the military so he took it a bit hard and more personally when dole said that. i'm a kerry supporter and i'm sure kerry is proud of his service in the military and out of it and was not offended by what clark said. kerry is known not to take things personally. in fact even after clark made the comment kerry said clark is a good friend of his and likes him very much.

[boxster]

9. True.

And the fact that both Kerry and Clark are proud of their respective careers is quite obvious in the way that they speak about their experiences.

Clark's my #1, but I would be perfectly happy with Kerry as the nominee, as well. I think that they are in the best position to counter the Bush/media intent to make this election about national security and little else.

[Valjean]

6. In foreign policy

When it comes to foreign policy, Clark is more qualified then ALL of them. He had to deal with military officials and politicos from all the NATO countries.

NATO commander IS a political position. For that matter, being a general is political.

All Clark really lacks is perspective on the "domestic" side since he's been a soldier all his life.

I'm not 100% sold on Clark. But I do feel that he has the best chance of defeating Bush. He is smarter than Clinton. He doesn't have morality issues. He is warm and friendly. He's a GREAT communicator. And NO ONE can try to portray him as a wimp.

Clark/Most Democrats - a great slate something for Bush to be worried about.

Clark/Dean - A formidable combo. Dean would be like Dan Quayle, the attack dog. Except our attack dog would actually have a brain. And a great one at that.

Clark/Edwards - Wow, Edwards is a great communicator. And apparantly both men have the "STUD" factor that will lure female voters in droves. Oh yeah, and Edwards too is brilliant and will be able to turn Dr. Evil Dick into a stammering pile of festering contempt.

They would nominate Howard Dean as their HUD secretary IMMEDIATELY. He would be part of their campaign team.


The ultimate goal is removing Bush. The man is evil and he's destroying America.


BTW, for all those other VEEP speculators out there. I DON'T want to hear the name Evan Bayh. I like Evan Bayh, he's from my own state of Indiana. But the man is even MORE robotic than Al Gore. Dick Cheney would tear him a new data port ;-)

[Zech Marquis]

10. NATO is a whole different beast than anything else

If someone is selected to be the Supreme Commander of NATO, that mans:

a) you must have one hell of an outstanding military record as an officer
b) you'll be in the very bright spotlight for everyone to see
c) you'll also have to deal with European countries and offcials, who will likely be quite uncooperative and make an already hard job even more difficult

but nevertheless, Both Clark and Kerry have something * can ony pretend and dream about--real military creditals and the proof to back it all up. I think Bob Dole was also an Army offcier--a Ranger I think--who was seriously injured in WWII, so he can rib Clark a little :)

[dreissig]

11. Supreme Allied Commander

Now, that is a job title!