Clark Ramps it Down on Kerry

[Jerseycoa]

"We were both young officers in Vietnam. We just pursued different paths of public service," Clark said Wednesday.

"Clark reserved his criticism for Bush, reminding veterans at a VFW hall that Bush landed on an aircraft carrier last May to declare the end to major military operations in Iraq.

"When we dress up in military attire, we don't have to go out and rent a flight suit," he said.

"Clark accused Bush of "shortchanging our veterans and their families," including not supporting enough funds for veterans' health care or Veterans Administration hospitals."

AP-SF Gate


I'm glad to see this. I don't want a competition over military service between these two.

[jmaier]

1. Right tone

and focused on the 'enemy'. I really do like this candidate. :-)

[Jerseycoa]

2. Yeah

He knows when he's stepped out of line and how to step back in again. :)

[Melodybe]

8. Look the only three candidates that can win any southern states are

Dean, Edwards, and Clark.

Look southern republicans like Dean even after Iowa, I talked to 2 republicans yesterday that both for some reason think that Hilliary Clinton sabotaged Dean. Man they don't even know each and they both had heard that from somewhere. After Iowa they like Edwards the most and plenty still like Clark.

But Kerry is not going to sell down here no matter who his veep is. I hate it, it is wrong, but I am telling you now it is true.

[zulchzulu]

3. That is a good move

I talked with a few vets that were rather offended by Clark's initial statements about how Kerry was only a lowly lieutenent compared to his 4-star status... I'm sure many other vets (and others) saw this as a little over the edge.

[Jerseycoa]

10. It was a little over the edge, I agree nt

[Frederic Bastiat]

18. When put in context it didn't bother me one bit...

..and i'm a vet too. I can see how some may have misinterpreted Clarks answer to Dole.

[MoonRiver]

27. Kerry is dismissing Clark as someone who doesn't have experience

in government. Clark responded by pointing out his vastly greater level of experience and rank in the military. Is Clark not supposed to compare himself favorably with other candidates when doing so truthfully makes him look better? I think not.

[blm]

29. It goes both ways. If Clark's campaign wants to play up that

he is not a "Washington insider" to poke at Kerry, then expect Kerry to show that some in Washington are there doing their jobs for progressive values with legislation. This is fair play. Don't sweat it.

[Monte Carlo]

4. The military angle REALLY needs to be saved for Bush...

... because it will lose its sting if it is used among Democrats. Clark and Kerry, thankfully, seem to recognize a truce on this.

[JI7]

5. the problem is

that many see it as an attack on the other when they play up their service when that's not the case at all. there is nothing wrong with clark saying he stayed in the military and kerry saying he opposed nixon, reagan. differentiation is good. kerry was asked about clark after that comment about jr officer (which i don't consider an insult) and kerry said he is good friends with clark and likes him a lot. he doesn't take things personally.he understands it's politics.

good to see clark say this. in the end if clark is the nominee, kerry would be happy to support him.

[Jerseycoa]

9. It's a delicate line for sure

I still say Dole was the devil in the works, but Clark didn't have to take the bait. I'm glad he's quickly snapped out of it. I have no doubt Clark will support Kerry, as well, if he wins the nom.

[Leilani]

11. I Agree

Dole really steamed Clark, but he needs to focus on Bush, not Kerry.

[blm]

6. Clark didn't mean what he said before. He was just caught up in the

excitement of the campaign trail. Dole goaded him into the comment.

It happens. Kerry and Clark are friendly and I doubt this campaign will change that.

[maddezmom]

13. thanks blm

:)

[FredScuttle]

17. "excitement of the campaign trail"

gee...that sounds oddly familiar. When did see a candidate being raked over the coals for some "campaign trail excitement" here recently? Hmmmmmm.

[Democrats unite]

20. Thats really funny...

If your trying to make a connection between the two.

[FredScuttle]

26. connection? No!

The only connection is that I don't have a problem with either Clark's comments or Dean's rally appearance.

[lurk_no_more]

7. "rent a flight suit"

Superb!

Kick the living shit out of them General!


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[Jerseycoa]

15. The "we" of it smacks, too

Dem unity very correctly applied in relation to "Dim Son" -- somebody called Bush that here on DU, I love it. :evilgrin:

[hlthe2b]

12. Me either. While I understand his need to address Bob Dole

and his idiotic comments on that interview, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY don't want to see this military service competition. It diminishes both candidates' ability to use their service to their advantage against Bush. I think both Clark and Kerry are admirable and very honorable men.

[sandnsea]

14. There you go

That's the warrior I expected. I honestly hope Kerry follows suit and keeps this battle about issues and vision and leadership. Let the chips fall where they may.

[Jerseycoa]

16. Judy tries to catch Kerry on Clark

And falls on her face. I am proud of Wes Clark's service. It's about my record - I was a citizen soldier - great!!!!

I LOVE these guys!

:bounce:

[JI7]

19. fox news

some whore on fox news about a little over a week ago i believe mentioned general clark to kerry, but right after mentioning clark tried to suggest to kerry that he was the only one of the democratic candidates with battleground experience and kerry corrected the fool by saying how general clark has battleground experience also and was seriously wounded.

[maddezmom]

21. Faux loves all the party infighting

Don't think Kerry or Clark is going to let the media handle them, they are going to have differences on policy and should keep to the issues.

[Skwmom]

22. He never ramped it up.

What he said to Dole was spun as an attack against Kerry - hardly. Kerry is the one on the attack in NH.

[thalerd]

24. Correct, except ...

In this case, it was Bob Dole who was on the attack, not Kerry. Dole tried to make a snide comment about how John Kerry's showing in NH was had turned Clark "from a general into a colonel." Clark smiled and said, "I don't think it's that way at all. With all due respect, Senator, I'm the general and he's the lieutenant."

Clark's deflecting of Dole's criticism has been spun as a direct attack on Kerry, which was definitely not the intent.

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. Classy Clark!

Pure, unadulterated CLASS......with an "edge." "When we dress up in military attire, we don't have to go out and rent a flight suit," he said.
:7

Go, Wes!

[mot78]

25. I'm glad Clark and Kerry are being cordial

It's good to see the military comradery in them. Kerry and Edwards have become my second and third choices now because of Iowa.

[NNN0LHI]

28. Methinks the Clark and Kerry camps are working with one another

Just by keeping their military backgrounds in the news like this makes it tough for the others to get a word in edgewise. I think that this subject will be a central part of Thursday nights debate too. I don't think this is Roves favorite subject either. This is a real smart strategy.

Don