General Clark had his first campaign stop in Florida. The Washington Post story is here and I will also comment on certain parts.
Clark ‘Probably’ Would Have Backed War
On First Campaign Stop, Democrat Lacks Specifics but Rallies Crowd
By Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 19, 2003; Page A05
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Sept. 18 — Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark said today that he “probably” would have voted for the congressional resolution last fall authorizing war, as he charged out into the presidential campaign field with vague plans to fix the economy and the situation in Iraq.
Clark said his views on the war resemble those of Democratic Sens. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.) and John F. Kerry (Mass.), both of whom voted for the war but now question President Bush’s stewardship of the Iraqi occupation. “That having been said, I was against the war as it emerged because there was no reason to start it when we did. We could have waited,” Clark said during a 75-minute session with four reporters.
Trying to have it both ways. Sounds just like Kerry. Actually, Lieberman has been much for supportive of the war than Kerry. I believe Kerry only voted for the resolution for political reasons. I think Lieberman believes it’s the right path, he just disagrees with the way Bush has handled the last few months. As soon as Kerry voted for the resolution, he immediately backtracked. Kerry == Clark?
En route to his first campaign stop as a candidate, a high-energy rally at a local restaurant, Clark said he has few specific policy ideas to offer voters right now and offered a few thoughts that might surprise Democrats flocking to his campaign. As recently as Sunday night, he was unsure if he should run for president, so Clark said voters need to give him time to think things through.
OK, but are you sure you want to do this?
Clark’s statement on the war resolution put him at odds with former Vermont governor Howard Dean, whose stock has soared among Democratic activists in recent months on the strength of his antiwar position. It could make it difficult for Clark to differentiate himself from the other nine candidates in the field on policy, other than by touting his r