Reply #27: I'm inclined to think there are multiple reasons why Clinton let it go.

[davsand]

I agree totally that a part of it was not wanting to burn capitol or call in favors over a three month difference. Remember, at that point Clark was not viewed as a potential political candidate. Also, I think it WAS easier for Clinton to just let it play out and not murk up the waters with Shelton and the rest.

The underlying thing I've pulled from different articles and statements I've seen is that Clark was already on the outs with both Shelton and Cohen. His usefullness really WAS limited by then. Clark had done some end runs to get Kosovo put to rest, and they were pissed about that. They had the chance to "payback" and like any ambitious General would do, they took it and pulled a fast one to get Clark out early.

Clark was seen as having gone almost renegade because he'd used everything he could think of to get the job done. He ruffled some fethers and paid the price for it with an early retirement... Pretty much a non-issue to my way of thinking.

There is an article in today's Chicago Trib tempo section that really does do a great job of laying it out there:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0312300299dec30,1,6709895.story?coll=chi-homepagenews-utl

Laura