Gen. Shelton shocks Celebrity Forum, says he won't support Clark for presi

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.losaltosonline.com/articles/2003/09/23/news/community/news01.txt

"What do you think of General Wesley Clark and would you support him as a presidential candidate," was the question put to him by moderator Dick Henning, assuming that all military men stood in support of each other. General Shelton took a drink of water and Henning said, "I noticed you took a drink on that one!"

"That question makes me wish it were vodka," said Shelton. "I've known Wes for a long time. I will tell you the reason he came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. I'm not going to say whether I'm a Republican or a Democrat. I'll just say Wes won't get my vote."

Shelton was on a 757 en route to Budapest for a conference when he learned that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Knowing that New York had perfect weather and there were no computer problems, he determined that it was a terrorist attack and immediately turned the plane around.

<snip>

Three days after Shelton took office as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, his commitment to the integrity of the military was tested. When U.S. planes in the Iraq no-fly zone were attacked, a member of Congress suggested that perhaps "we" could fly a U-2 spy plane so low over Iraq that it could easily get hit. Then we'd have a reason "to kick Saddam out of Iraq." After Shelton responded that he would order that "just as soon as you are qualified to fly (it)," he was not asked again to compromise his office.

"Sometimes people in a position of power lose perspective on right and wrong," Shelton said.

[lcordero]

1. hmmmmmm...

I guess it takes one to know one.

[SaintLouisBlues]

2. Oh well

We've lost the critical Army General vote. What will we do?

[Flying_Pig]

3. Hmmm... As a player in Bush & PNAC's war, I think I'll take

Shelton's comments with a grain of salt, and increase my "positive meter" on Clark a few degrees.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

4. HARDLY a Shock

Shelton and Clark were clearly and openly antagonistic toward each other while they were in the service. That Shelton -- a Republican despite his protestations of neutrality -- would not support Clark is akin to Anne Richards saying she would not support Bush.

DTH

[jonnyblitz]

7. I agree. Clark can do quite nicely without GOP endorsements

[Larkspur]

5. Now, here's a general who has pique my interest as Dean's VP

choice.

"Sometimes people in a position of power lose perspective on right and wrong," General Shelton said.

But still would prefer that he hold a civilian political office first.

[Catherine Vincent]

6. It wouldn't bother me.

I read somewhere that Shelton and Cohen does not like Clark. They probably had to work with him but no love lost.

[StephNW4Clark]

8. Shelton also thinks Bush is doing a good job

From the last paragraph in the same article

"In order to deal with the ongoing danger, the United States must "continue to go after terrorists," he said. "Bush has maintained the pressure and earned kudos in spite of the criticism."

Also, General Hugh Shelton was involved with the Pristina airport incident - an incident which Colonel Hackworth said he initially agreed with Sec. Cohen and Shelton's assessment BUT "Only years later did I discover from his book and other research that I was wrong – the blame should have been worn by British timidity and William Cohen, U.S. SecDef at the time."

[Cocoa]

9. Clark is reportedly unpopular in the Pentagon

I heard a dem strategist talking about how this is potentially a big problem for Clark, the combination of his unpopularity there combined with the Pentagon's fondness for leaking to reporters.

[StephNW4Clark]

10. B/c he plans on budget cuts there & is considered too smart

...Clark has said on record that he plans to look into reductions in defense spending. And also, according to 4 star General Barry McAffrey, "This is no insult to army culture ... but he was way too bright, way too articulate, way too good looking and perceived to be way too wired to fit in with our culture." (Washington Post)

[renie408]

12. Clark's problems with the Pentagon

started a long time ago. I remember reading an article, maybe the one you are talking about, that said that he was hard to get along with and tough on his staff.

[StephNW4Clark]

13. If you want to see how the soldiers who served under him felt...

...go to www.veteransforclark2004.com and read their posts. Some of them are especially proud of how he turned around a demoralized, war-fatigued group of soldiers and made them the best unit.

[leetrisck]

11. General Shalaskavili????

wanted Clark and he got him. I've always felt good about Shalaskavili. Those sound like rather strange words coming from Shelton's mouth but I suppose anything is possible.

[DoYouEverWonder]

14. Of cousre he's not going to vote for any dem

He's most likely going to vote for W again.