DEMOCRACY:
Government & Politics | September 17, 2003
IN
PRAISE
OF
GENERAL
WESLEY
CLARK
An
E-Mail Delivered to
an Influential Democratic Newsgroup
Here
is a great site for getting a quick but thorough rundown of the
background and positions of General Wesley Clark [who just
announced his decision to run for the Democratic nomination for
President]...
http://www.meetclark.com/faq/
Although his
opponents (from either party) try to paint him as someone with
no experience in political affairs or positions on domestic
issues, it quickly becomes clear that is not the case:
Administrating huge and complex military organizations meant
dealing with Executive and Legislative branch politics on a
daily basis, as well as with international organizations; and
being responsible for the welfare of countless military
families, both home and abroad, as well as being both a student
and professor of economics, he has a very firm grasp on the
needs of citizens and the means to deliver them.
What impresses me
most is how he can state WITH AUTHORITY not only military
opinions but also domestic positions that are right in line with
the most current notions as well as the best traditions of the
Democratic Party (international cooperation, progressive
taxation, equal opportunity for the sexes and races, preserving
our environmental and constitutional heritages, etc.): The
General is not a milquetoast apologist; he is a level-headed,
"speaks his mind" kind of guy, who should attract
respect, not contempt, from a great many voters, including
liberal, moderate, and even conservative Democrats as well as a
great number of Independents and even some moderate Republicans --
precisely the common-sense coalition needed to beat Bush
next year.
With all due
respect to the other, formidable candidates of our party, I am
very impressed with General Wesley Clark. I look forward to all
of our Presidential candidates engaged in substantial debates.
There
were many responses to my e-mail; and then there were
responses to the responses; and so forth.
The
issues fell into three general categories: Is it too late
for General Clark to enter the race? If we support him,
are we settling for someone who seems very electable at the
expense of our principles? And in particular, how can our
party, which has worked so hard for peace, support a candidate
who has made a career of war?
Here
are my responses, most of which were published in the
newsgroup...
The
Electability of General Clark as a Late Entry into the
Presidential Race An E-Mail to an Influential California
Democrat (9/18/03)
General
Clark: Principles & Electability An E-Mail to
an Influential Democratic Newsgroup (9/21/03)
General
Clark as a Draw to Long-Lost Democrats An E-Mail to a
Democratic Activist (9/21/03)
In
Defense of Operation Allied Force, in Kosovo, Under General
Wesley Clark An E-Mail to a Democratic Peace Activist
(9/18/03)
A
General as Our Nominee? War is Sometimes a Necessary Evil. An
E-Mail to an Influential Democratic Newsgroup (9/21/03)
Forging
a Consensus on the Changing Presidential Race An E-Mail
to an Influential Democratic Newsgroup (9/21/03)
Please also see
my earlier essay
about the possibility of General Clark as a Democratic
presidential candidate.
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