Clark willing to run or to serve as an appointee

[Adelante]

Clark demure on '08 plans, criticizes Bush administration on Iraq


LITTLE ROCK (AP) - Retired Army General Wesley Clark says he remains willing to run for office or serve as a political appointee. And Clark says he has not made a decision on running for president in 2008. But he says it appears too late for him to enter.

In a new book to be published Monday, Clark acknowledges his 2004 campaign's "fatal mistake" -- was skipping the Iowa caucuses.

Clark entered the 2004 race late after a large "Draft Clark" effort by supporters who wanted him to run. Clark is from Little Rock and his campaign was based here.

The former NATO supreme allied commander in an interview today with The Associated Press said President Bush is putting too little effort into diplomacy in the Iraq war.

-snip

Clark's book is called, "A Time to Lead: For Duty, Honor and Country." It mixes autobiography with political platforms -- a format common among political figures preparing for a major campaign.

http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=7076717

[rusty quoin]

1. Clark would be a great appointee.

The Democratic party has a great brain trust of experienced problem solvers, like Clark, who can fix what's wrong with this country, (thanks to Bush, it's a whole lot).

[Adelante]

4. That's the truth

I'm happy he realizes he has more to give this country, even after 34 years of national service, and not so comfy in private life he is willing to withhold his talents and expertise from the hard struggle it will take to get us back to national sanity.

[Missy M]

2. I would love to see him as either......

Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State.

[RFKJrNews]

3. A *sane* Secretary of Defense...

wow, what a refreshing thought!!! Wes Clark would be perfect!

[nealmhughes]

5. He is sorely needed at State more than Defense, IMO.

I have read that he has to sit out a bit longer as a retired general in order to even go to the DOD, plus there would be those there whose sole aim in life would be to thwart his every move.

Defense is in too much trouble and needs a general purifier who can accept that we are no longer capable of "defending Europe" and Korea, and policing the Western Hemisphere and handling the Mideast simultaneously without bankrupting the US Treasury and demoralizing the services.

We are stretched too thin and various branches have been overly politicized (USAF) from the top downwards.

State needs to reform the image of the USA throughout the world and have an idealogue whose idealogy is that of Madison, Jefferson, Monroe and Marshall -- not of Rice and Kissinger.

Unfortunately, we will be stuck with the "true believers" for a long time at the mid and lower ranks of both State and DOD and it will take a long time for us to recover from all the damage that 8 years of Bush have wrought.

[RFKJrNews]

7. excellent points, nealmhughes!

n/t

[tammywammy]

20. He can't be Sec of Defense

He has to be out of the military 10 years before he can take up that post.

Though I'd think he'd make an excellent Sec of State.

[BeyondGeography]

6. Obama/Clark

The All-Sincerity, All-Character, All-American ticket.

Have some imagination, Democrats! We've lost 7 of the last 10 elections going with the CW. Enough already.

[AlCzervik]

9. he just endorsed Clinton.

[Colobo]

10. Obama should still call him when he wins the nomination.

[AlCzervik]

11. any of them should call them imo, n o matter who wins he would be a good

cabinet member.

[BeyondGeography]

14. Doesn't mean diddly

If Obama's the nominee, guess who he'll endorse then?

[AlCzervik]

16. No, you're kidding right, is that how it works?

[BeyondGeography]

17. Yah...seemed like you needed a little help there

[AlCzervik]

18. thanks so much, this is my first election cycle.

[Orangepeel]

8. Yahoo news says that he endorsed Clinton. So I guess he's not going to run.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3522352

[Pithy Cherub]

12. Love Wes and look forward to his book!

He endorsed Clinton and that is very interesting! There are all kinds of behind the scenes endorsement deals going on right now for a multitude of rationales. Hillary wants to lock up certain people, but on this Wes's endorsement will not sway me. Wes is Good People. However, endorsing her will never dampen my opinion of him or my enthusiasm for his future service. Of course it will be in an Obama Administration.:P

[BeyondGeography]

15. My sentiments exactly...still love Wes

and look forward to welcoming him to Camp Obama when the time comes. ;)

[Totally Committed]

13. With Wes's endorsement....

I wish you and all other Clarkies the best as I move on elsewhere.

:grouphug: to all of you.


TC

[qdemn7]

19. I like him as anyone's Veep

I think he'd make a great Veep. His military experience would make him a great advisor to any President, since he's seen the elephant.

[tammywammy]

21. Agreed!