Dems challenge Clark to participate in debate next week

[quinnox]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired Gen. Wesley Clark's day-old presidential bid is already drawing criticism from Democratic rivals who say he should not skip a party-sponsored debate next week.

Clark is scheduled to give a paid speech next Thursday, the day the nine other candidates are scheduled to participate in a debate on economic issues in New York City that will be broadcast live on CNBC. Clark has not yet said which event he will miss.

Jim Jordan, campaign manager for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, said, "I think all Democrats will be disappointed if General Clark passes on an opportunity on national television to lay out his policies for making the American economy stronger and fairer."

In Little Rock, Mary Jacoby, Clark's press secretary, said, "We haven't made a decision on the debate."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-09-18-clark-debate_x.htm


I think Clark should attend, it would be a blunder in my opinion to skip it.