Wes Clark responds to GOP attacks on Kerry's Vietnam service in NYT today

[flpoljunkie]

http://nytimes.com/2004/04/28/opinion/28CLAR.html?pagewanted=print&position=

A Sterling Record

By WESLEY K. CLARK

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.

When John Kerry released his military records to the public last week, Americans learned a lot about Mr. Kerry's exceptional service in Vietnam. They also learned a lot about the Republican attack machine.

<>In the United States military, there's no ideology — there are no labels, Republican or Democrat — when superiors evaluate a man or woman's service to country. Mr. Kerry's commander for a brief time, Grant Hibbard, now a Republican, gave Mr. Kerry top marks 36 years ago. Now the standards are those of politics, not the military. Despite his positive evaluations, Mr. Hibbard recently questioned whether Mr. Kerry deserved one of his three Purple Hearts.

In the heat of a political campaign, attacks come from all directions. That's why John Kerry's military records are so compelling; they measure the man before his critics or his supporters saw him through a political lens. These military records show that John Kerry served his country with valor, and that those who served with him and above him held him in high regard. That's honor enough for any veteran.

Yet the Republican attack machine follows a pattern we've seen before, whether the target is Senator John McCain in South Carolina in 2000 or Senator Max Cleland in Georgia in 2002. The latest manifestation of these tactics is the controversy over Mr. Kerry's medals.

<>Although President Bush has not engaged personally in such accusations, he has done nothing to stop others from making them. I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve — often under the most dangerous conditions, with bravery and, yes, with undeniable patriotism.

[phillybri]

1. Big Kick

:kick:

[Carolina]

2. Simply the best, Wes!

You tell those bastards -- chickenhawks and revisionist historians --alike where they can stick it.

[Direckshun]

3. Clark's got it right.

Perhaps putting Clark on Kerry's ticket will shut up all the critics of Kerry's war record.

What do you guys think?

Should winning the Vietnam issue be that important, as to select a VP for that reason alone?

Do you guys think he can beat the GOP smear machine without Clark on his ticket?

[H2O Man]

16. I'd go with Clark

although I think he offers a lot more than just the "Vietnam issue." Further, I don't think that Vietnam IS the issue here. This has much more to do with the dark side of the Nixon Administration coming back to do battle with the Constitution and democratic process. I think that people need to be writing letters to the editors of local papers,and redefining the issue for the public. Think how ridiculous it is for bush co. to attack Kerry on Vietnam? Look how many in this administration were part of the Nixon machine .... and then what is happening becomes clear.

[Scoopie]

27. Not only will it deflect this issue

But Clark debating Cheney would be a more interesting debate than the Kerry/Bush ones.
Can you just imagine Cheney questioning Clark on what HE would do in Iraq? Or Afghanistan? Or how Clark would have treated potential terrorism in the months leading up to 9/11? Clark's written position papers on all these issues and/or has testified to them in front of Congress. He's also written both military and diplomatic plans and knows there is a difference between the two - something the Shrubbies don't seem to "get."
Clark's positions on a woman's right to choose, fair trade, putting American's back to work while solidifying homeland security (he wants to train and hire more emergency service personnel - the first line of defense to terrorism), not to mention his good looks, honesty and Southern ties would do wonders for the Kerry campaign AND for the Kerry Administration.
If, God forbid, something were to happen to Kerry, there wouldn't be an American among us (neo-cons not included) who would be afraid of Clark stepping up to lead us.

[Paradise]

4. Thanks for the heads-up on Wes Clark's column. :) n/t

[xultar]

5. I STILL LOVE YOU WES CLARK!!!!! n/t

[BOSSHOG]

6. "Those who didn't serve, or DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR SERVICE"

should have the decency to respect those who did. Keep on kicking ass General. Surely, General Clark will wind up in President Kerry's administration somewhere.

[thedudeingeorgia]

9. Clark's position in a Kerry Administration

I think the General would make an excellent Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State, if he is not chosen to be Vice President...

[Renew Deal]

14. It will probably be state if not VP

He can't do Defense because of some rule about being out for 10 years. He could also be Ambassador to the UN, or just about anything he wants. He's got the education/skills.

[newyawker99]

22. Hi thedudeingeorgia!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[JI7]

13. i love that

we all know exactly who he is talking about.

[SEpatriot]

7. Eagerly awaiting the chickenhawk response

Who can the chickenhawk crowd find to smear Clark?? Keep the pressure on the chimp and his cronies as well as the press!

For an interesting look at exercises in chickenhawkery click here:

http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

[tandot]

8. Thanks for posting. I wish more would speak out about that

I especially like

"I believe those who didn't serve, or didn't show up for service, should have the decency to respect those who did serve — often under the most dangerous conditions, with bravery and, yes, with undeniable patriotism"

[DoveTurnedHawk]

10. WES CLARK ROCKS!!!

Goddamn, I love that man!

DTH

[freetobegay]

11. Wesley Clark I salute you!

[Renew Deal]

12. Clark is the highest ranking Dem in the party.

:) I hope he gets VP. I talk him up. Most people think it will be Edwards.

[freetobegay]

19. Most people are usually wrong.

eom

[Toucano]

15. Americans are so lucky

to have men like Wes Clark in public life.

A million thanks, Wes!

[havocmom]

17. Keep plucking the chicken hawks

so the voters can see the yellow tinge to their skin!

[Progressive420]

18. YEA!

GO WES!!

[Sparkly]

20. Yay, General!!

Kerry needs him on his team!

[Adelante]

21. Thank you, Wes

For standing up for us, but then you always do. :loveya:

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. A Wes Clark Smackdown!

I love you, Wesley Kanne Clark! :loveya: Bring It On, CHICKENHAWKS! I want to see him make the cable network rounds and HEAR him say these things. Go Wes!!!!! :bounce:

[cally]

24. Wes is using his reputation and years of service to help

Kerry. I thank him. :loveya: Wes.

[dolstein]

25. Unfortunately, this comes a few days too late

If the Kerry campaign knew what they were doing, they'd have made Wesley Clark their chief attack dog on the Vietnam War issue long ago, rather than forcing Kerry to get his hands dirty.

[JI7]

26. i think this was Clark's own decision

i think it's something Clark wanted to do on his own.

[Adelante]

28. Kerry's hands aren't dirty

He's handling this in a measured yet forceful way.