Clark: Carving is for turkeys, not candidates

[robbedvoter]

Clark: Carving is for turkeys, not candidates

Picks a few bones with opponents


http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/11/26/elec04.prez.clark.ap/index.html


MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (AP) --Trying to distance himself from Democratic rivals bent on "carving each other up," Wesley Clark said Wednesday he'd limit his slicing to his Thanksgiving turkey.

Campaigning at a VFW hall, Clark boasted about his knife skills, calling himself his family's best carver when it comes to holiday meals. But he said he won't be joining the spats breaking out among his opponents.

"They're just carving each other up," he said. "I've never seen anything more effective than when they go at each other about who did what 10 or 15 years ago. But the problem I'm worried about is today, tomorrow, next year and the future."

The retired Army general did pick a few bones with some of his rivals, however, when asked how he'd weaken the power of special interests in Washington.

Clark said candidates who reject the public financing system for their campaigns reinforce the idea that money buys influence.

Without naming them, he called upon Sen. John Kerry and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean to abide by spending limits in New Hampshire, which holds the first binding primary January 27.

[pistoff democrat]

1. A fine distinction!

One must not carve each other up; however, one may pick each other's bones...:crazy:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. All candidates should go after Bush

and not each other. Don't they realize that they are only helping Bush when they attack other Democrats? Please, please, PLEASE, all candidates! Talk about YOUR platforms. Then sharpen those carving knives and lay into the real turkey, GW Bush!

[HawkerHurricane]

3. Every time a Dem attacks another

Someone from the Bush campaign writes down what was said, and how effective it was.

Free opposition research, paid for by the Democratic Party, to be used by the Republicans later.

[dkf]

4. Yup, that snide Clark comment on Dean's vietnam deferment was certainly

not an attack was it?

My latest sentiment on Clark: lower than low.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. Yes, Clark's attack on Dean was disgusting

Here's the story:

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-clark-dean,0,5074185.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[KittyWampus]

8. Where Did Clark Attack Dean?

In answer to a quesion about skiing all Clark said was:

"I didn't have as much practice skiing as the governor did. He was out there skiing when I was recovering from my wounds in Vietnam,"

Where is the attack? All Clark did was state FACTS.

Here is the rest of the piece:


Clark did mention Dean by name earlier
Thursday, when a radio interviewer
jokingly asked if he'd be interested in a
ski competition between candidates.

"I didn't have as much practice skiing as
the governor did. He was out there skiing
when I was recovering from my wounds
in Vietnam," Clark said on WNTK radio.

Dean recently has defended himself from criticism that he cited a back condition and
sought a medical deferment during the Vietnam War, then spent a year skiing in
Colorado. "I took a physical, I failed a physical. If that makes this an issue, then so
be it," Dean said earlier this week.

In Manchester, Clark said he did not intend his comment to be critical of Dean.

"If anybody's spent a year skiing, they've spent a lot more time on the slopes than I
have," he said, adding that it would be up to veterans to decide what to make of
Dean's actions.

"My personal opinion as a veteran is I'm very proud of my service," said Clark. "I don't
think you can learn more faster about life, about responsibility, about what the
world's all about than in serving in the armed forces."

[DavidDvorkin]

9. Of course that's an attack

And it's the repellent one that the rightwing will use if Dean gets the nomination. Clark just disqualified himself completely.

[KittyWampus]

10. How Is Stating Facts To Answer A Question An Attack?

Reporter jokingly asks about a skiing competition among the candidates.

Clark says:

I didn't have as much practice skiing as the governor did. He was out there skiing when I was recovering from my wounds in Vietnam,"

WHERE IS THE "Attack"?

[FrenchieCat]

15. What about when Dean was calling Clark

a republican until 25 days ago...about 6 times? did Dean disqualify himself? Or are we going to be a hypocrit for one day?
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0C16FD3C590C778EDDA00894DB404482

NATIONAL DESK | September 24, 2003, Wednesday
Dean Takes The Offensive In Comments On Clark

By JODI WILGOREN with EDWARD WYATT (NYT) 802 words
Late Edition - Final , Section A , Page 25 , Column 1
ABSTRACT - Howard Dean, whose campaign for Democratic presidential nomination has been built on antiwar message, questions antiwar credentials of Gen Wesley K Clark, whom polls show at top of 10-member Democratic presidential field; intensifies attacks on Pres Bush, condemning his record on court appointments, race, education, domestic security and war on terrorism; photo (M)

[Rose Siding]

6. Clark has to milk his militaristic persona

It's his strongest selling point with the broadest appeal.

He can't exactly broadcast his jobs plan for IT workers- "Let India have 'em" or his history as a corporate lobbyist for CAPPS II.

Batting Dean's name around will get him in the papers.

[KittyWampus]

7. Dean's Campaign Using His Brother For Political Gain Is Disgusting

That Dean's campaign would use the fact that Dean is in the process of dealing with his brother's remains to try and make Clark look bad for comments that simply stated facts is loathsome.

[Rose Siding]

11. Well now, Stretch

Clark reminds me of when McCain and Dole called for investigations of Clinton on the morning he buried his mother. Poor form, that's all- an oversight. Maybe he didn't know. Maybe he gets his news from staff instead of the papers.

[pistoff democrat]

16. Jeez,

You said it, boss!!!

[unfrigginreal]

12. I could care less about his Dean skiing remark

the part of this article that bothers me is his statement about public financing.

Clark said candidates who reject the public financing system for their campaigns reinforce the idea that money buys influence.

Ignoring the attempted slam at Dean and Kerry, even that doesn't bother me, why does the General think that it's a bad thing if people believe that money buys influence? Isn't that the truth? Would he be better off if people didn't question ties between donors and policies?

I'm really uncomfortable with him now. His recent statements lead me to believe that he will be closer to special interests and corporations than I would like our candidate to be.

[mikehiggins]

13. Slam at, uhhh, BUSH?

I wonder why you don't think Clark's comments were aimed at the guy who most blatently has rejected public financing, and is working towards raising enough bucks to swamp any Democratic contender?

It has to be a shot at Dean and Kerry?

It seems to me that Clark is not overly concerned with either man. If he wins the nomination it will be because of the Democratic voters voting FOR him, not AGAINST someone else. I will vote for Clark because I beleive he is the best candidate to take on Bush. Other people have their own reasons for supporting various other candidates. If Kerry or Dean or Edwards is our nominee I will work as hard for them as I would for Clark. I expect the opposite will be true.

I just find it disconcerting how obsessed the Dean backers are on painting a negative picture of Clark. I have to wonder if those people will be able to support him if he wins, or will they give tacit approval to Bush's return by failing to do so.

[Jerseycoa]

19. Two Different Slams

That was a hit at Bush and a good one. His problem with Dean and Kerry is the war chest being used, not in the general election, where it would be spent in getting Bush defeated, but against Democrats in the Democratic primaries. Clark's right.

[dogman]

21. public financing

Maybe because Dean said it was to fight Bush post primary and is already exceeding spending in Iowa o attack Gephardt. Dean like Bush answers for the moment because he has no integrity and will do or say anything to win. We've had 3 years of pandering. It's funny how facts get in the way.

[sandnsea]

14. Jab, jab, hit and move,

Very good, General Clark.

[UnityDem]

17. Attack positions/not other Dems

We must distinguish our candidates only in this way. Do not attack motives, morals, intentions, etc. That is what Rove will do to our nominee. We must not help him do so.

[sandnsea]

20. cockroaches, bush-lite,

Democrats are just like Republicans. You meant like that, by any chance?

[DemDogs]

18. Edwards campaign, but the difference is . . .

Edwards has been saying this from the beginning.
The difference is that Edwards could make mincemeat of them anytime he wanted with his skills. Clark could not.