Reply #21: For Clark before, for Clark now. Asked and answered at the debate: [View All]

[robbedvoter]

> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A433-2003Sep25.html
>
On May 11th of 2001, as reported in US News and World Report, you addressed at the
Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner in Arkansas, expressed your support for the leadership
of Ronald Reagan, for that matter, the leadership of our current president, George W. Bush,
his immediate staff and Cabinet, and indicated they were needed in place.

Did you believe it then? Do you believe it now?

CLARK: I think it's been an incredible journey for me and for this country since early 2001.

We elected a president we thought was a compassionate conservative. Instead we got neither
conservatism or compassion. We got a man who recklessly cut taxes. We got a man who
recklessly took us into war with Iraq.

I was never partisan in the military. I served under Democratic presidents, I served under
Republican presidents. But as I looked at this country and looked which way we were headed, I
knew that I needed to speak out. And when I needed to speak out, there was only party to
come to.

I am pro-choice, I am pro-affirmative action, I'm pro-environment, pro-health. I believe the
United States should engage with allies. We should be a good player in the international
community. And we should use force only as a last resort. That's why I'm proud to be a
Democrat.


SHARPTON: Well, first of all, as the only New Yorker, I want to welcome General Clark to New
York and I want to welcome him to our list of candidates.

And don't be defensive about just joining the party. Welcome to the party. It's better to be a
new Democrat that's a real Democrat, than a lot of old Democrats up here that have been
acting like Republicans all along.

(LAUGHTER)

(APPLAUSE)