Clark's Rise to the Top-- WP article

[Malikshah]

This article is quite interesting--it underscores both good and bad points concerning Clark

It also goes along w/ conversations I had w/ my father (career Army officer) concerning Clark a while back.

I'd posted messages concerning this with some info--but was poo-pooed. Well--now--here's the link to the article--

May be a dupe. If so--sorry.

BTW-- it's an interesting article--both sides of the debate can take from it what they will.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21814-2003Sep16.html

[jumptheshadow]

1. The anonymous sources

Thank you for the link to an interesting story.

The problem with quoting anonymous sources like the generals who criticize Clark is that a reader doesn't have any frame of reference when judging the credibility of the source.

Are the unnamed generals Republicans who are close to Dick Cheney? Do they have personal grievances against Clark? Or are they objective professionals whose comments should be given due consideration?

[Malikshah]

2. Good point, but

I wouldn't put the total Republican/Democratic spin on the anonymous sources.

The military brass is the ultimate in toe-the-line. One misstep and your career is in the tubes.

That's the main reason my dad opted out of the general-track. My mom refused to be a social doyenne etc.-- they didn't want to glad-hand folks they may not actually want to be friends with, etc.

Anonymity in this case is the rule regardless of party affiliation.

My dad told me he'd go for Dean over Clark-- and he's a life-long Republican (although he won't vote for * again...)

[robbedvoter]

3. Author is a military reporter - just been on WNYC

he seems to admire the hell out of him - basically said that all the negative stuff is from people gealous of his meteoric rise - all on merit.
There was also a caller - who has been in strategy meetings with him in Kosovo and is in the NYC draft Clark now. The show was amazing! We keep getting New Yorkers signing on!