Clark keeps courting veteran vote

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Retired Army general Wesley Clark has spent three of his last six campaign days in New Hampshire meeting with veterans, and when he returns today it will be to a Manchester VFW hall. He is collecting coats for injured soldiers. His campaign ads show him in fatigues.

<snip>

Yet, even with his resume, Clark faces some challenges wooing veterans, political experts said:
* He joined the campaign months later than the other candidates and announced his veteran outreach just two weeks ago.
* With Sen. John Kerry running, Clark isn't the only decorated veteran in the race, and Clark can't offer voters Kerry's years of elected experience.
* Veterans are being courted by all the candidates.
* Veterans don't vote on veterans' issues alone. (Even former Vermont governor Howard Dean, who was granted a medical deferment for a back condition during the Vietnam War, has gotten a few veteran endorsements.)

<snip>

Stephen Shurtleff of Penacook is voting on veterans' issues in this primary - and he's doing it by drumming up veteran support for Kerry. He feels a bond with Kerry because they are both Vietnam veterans, and they both returned to protest that war. "I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for General Clark's service," Shurtleff said. "It's just that in my opinion, Senator Kerry walks the walk and talks the talk. He's been a strong advocate on veterans affairs." He also feels more of a connection to Kerry because, unlike Clark, Kerry did not make the military his career. "He is more the citizen soldier," Shurtleff said. "We got out and worked other professions. He is common."

Frank O'Neil is one of those veterans who remains undecided. He is the current state commander of the New Hampshire VFW, a position that has Kerry and Clark trying to recruit him. "Clark, he's got foreign affairs experience and nothing domestic," he said. "Kerry is the other way around. And Kerry is an extremely liberal person. The Democrats aren't throwing much up there, and I'm not too happy with Mr. Bush either. "I don't care who they are, Democrat, Republican, independent or Libertarian, they are going to say exactly what the veterans want to hear," O'Neil said. "Then they will go down to the Chamber of Commerce and say something totally different. I'm staying independent right now."
http://www.cmonitor.com/stories/news/state2003/112603new_vets_2003.shtml

[FrenchieCat]

1. Clark should just keep plugging away....

The votes will be cast soon enough....I they want to win, they'll come to their senses!

[HawkerHurricane]

2. Clarke would have

both the veteran and the military vote in the general election.

[DemDogs]

3. There are Dem veterans but

the problem for Clark is that they heard Hugh Shelton, who has a reputation as a straight shooter, and they know exactly the kind of officer he was talking about.
Veterans would love a vet in the White House, but they want a veteran who was the kind of officer they admired. So many in the Army who worked with or under Clark did not like him that veterans are a little skittish. Especially the kind of veterans who are Democrats.
He needs a full court press to show why Democratic veterans why he is better for them than Kerry. Right now, Kerry has shown himself to be better on veteran's issues.

[KittyWampus]

4. This Is One Of The Biggest Loads Of Crap Yet

There are actually some amazing stories on the Clarkblog from those who served under him.

The following is from www.Veteransforclark2004.com


Derek
Sgt.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
92-98
Comments - It is wonderful to see the General pushing forward to the White House. I was on his personal security detail at USSOUTHCOM and was able to facilitate safe travel in that AO. When confronted with a new issue he always looked at his XO or ADC and said "Let's get smart on this." This is EXACTLY who we need in the "House", not a person that giggles madly and wastes American lives and taxpayers dollars. The General is a class act and one of the smartest men that I have had the pleasure to serve under. I fully support a memorial to fallen brothers (and sisters)-in-arms in unrecognized conflicts (Haiti, Somolia, etc) and would love mention of fallen brethern in our Special Opns Forces who gave their lives in many "training accidents" over the years.

[dogman]

5. He has this veterans vote!

I was ready to vote for him before he announced. After seeing his analysis of the Iraq war I was shocked and awed that a retired General could be so honest. I guess that's why the WH had him removed from CNN. To beat aWol we need a fighter with leadership and integrity.