Clark: Iraq in state of Civil War; Shrub is responsible for 9/11

[Clarkie1]

PORTSMOUTH -- Former presidential candidate Gen. Wesley Clark warned local Democrats Friday that America is a "nation in peril" because of the foreign policy agenda set by the Bush administration.

"We're on the precipice of a national security calamity of catastrophic proportions," the former NATO supreme allied commander said during the Portsmouth Democrats Banquet at the Sheraton Hotel.

Clark cited what he called failing military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran.
"Anyone want to quibble over whether (Iraq) is a civil war or not?" he said. "It is. What we're doing is losing traction and losing troops."

Clark said the race between North Korea and Iran to develop nuclear arms is because President Bush has threatened the countries by deeming them part of the "Axis of Evil" and emboldened their efforts by refusing negotiations.

"The whole point of negotiation is not with your friends, it's with your enemies," Clark said.

The former four-star general who worked under President Bill Clinton also criticized Bush's actions leading up to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. When Clinton left office, he warned Bush about Osama bin Laden, Clark said, and Bush continued to receive warnings through 2001.

Clark said he felt Bush could have been more proactive and tried to "connect the dots" about bin Laden and a possible terrorist attack on American soil. By virtue of Bush's lack of leadership, he said, the president "more or less caused it to happen."

"How does (Bush) think after that kind of record he could persuade the American people for a third time to trust him on national security?" Clark said, referring to the president's efforts to get Republicans elected in the November congressional elections.

He called out to the audience to talk with their independent and Republican friends and say "enough is enough."

The way for Democrats to take back the majority in Washington, he argued, is by emphasizing their foreign policy credentials. He said many American voters don't think of Democrats as being tough on national security and it's time to dispel that assumption.

"The battle this year must be won," he said. "Our country is at stake and only you can save it."

http://securingamerica.com/node/1757

[democrank]

1. "...losing traction and losing troops."

Very true words, Wes Clark.

[saltpoint]

2. Clark's attack on the Bush administration is blistering, and

properly so.

Good for him.

What I wouldn't give to hear a 1-on-1 debate between General Clark and Don Rumsfield.

Topic: The Iraq War.

[Donna Zen]

3. Meet the Press: Aug. 28th, 2005

Tim Russert had four generals on to discuss the war. When asked what they thought would be going on in Iraq a year in the future, only one general got the answer right:

Mr. Russert: What do you see a year from now?

Gen. Clark: Continuing political disagreements, strong insurgency, strong terrorist movement, a drawdown in U.S. forces, an administration that claims success, continuing concerns about the Islamization of the political process in Iraq, growing encroachments on Iraqi sovereignty from neighboring states and continuing efforts as the United States starts to pull out, other nations start to go in. Iraq's on the fault line between Shia and Sunni Islam. And we can't fix that. We've got to help fix it and we won't. I don't see this administration making the diplomatic effort required. So what I see is they're doing a minimalist job trying to put a papier-mache government together and use that with the training of forces and then try to pull out forces here in time for the 2006 elections. I think, you know, the question is five years and 10 years down the line. This would be a government that we won't be--it'll be a state that we won't necessarily be proud of having created.

transcript

Wes Clark has been trying to tell America the truth for a long time.

[FrenchieCat]

4. well, ya know.......he ain't "into" platitudes......

so of course, although everyone is taking notes to use as though it was their own words later......till then, Foes and friends alike to Wes for quite some time (included the know nothing pundits):

[wordpix2]

10. "papier=mache government:" Boy, he's got a way with words, doesn't he?

[dajoki]

5. Diebold n/t

[trillian]

6. Wes the truth teller.

It's what keeps me coming back.

[young_at_heart]

7. Wes for president.......he is the answer

I knew it the first time I heard him speak!

[kaycesf]

8. This is why we need Wes Clark:

Don’t Make Nice
By PAUL KRUGMAN

Published: October 23, 2006

Now that the Democrats are strongly favored to capture at least one house of Congress, they’re getting a lot of unsolicited advice, with many people urging them to walk and talk softly if they win.

I hope the Democrats don’t follow this advice — because it’s bad for their party and, more important, bad for the country. In the long run, it’s even bad for the cause of bipartisanship.

There are those who say that a confrontational stance will backfire politically on the Democrats. These are by and large the same people who told Democrats that attacking the Bush administration over Iraq would backfire in the midterm elections. Enough said.

Political considerations aside, American voters deserve to have their views represented in Congress. And according to opinion polls, most Americans are actually to the left of Congressional Democrats on issues such as health care.

In particular, the public wants politicians to stand up to corporate interests. This is clear from the latest Newsweek poll, which shows overwhelming public support for the agenda Nancy Pelosi has laid out for her first 100 hours if she becomes House speaker. The strongest support is for her plan to have Medicare negotiate with drug companies for lower prices, which is supported by 74 percent of Americans — and by 70 percent of Republicans!

READ ON.......

http://tinyurl.com/y5do3z

[kaycesf]

9. There is no doubt in my mind that ....

Wes Clark can stand up to the Republican slime machine and he has been standing up strongly for principles from the get-go. He believes in the common good, and he's not afraid to say what needs to be said about Bush! I have yet to see him back down, and his time on FOX has proven he has gravitas and will fight for all of us. We need Wes Clark!

[newyawker99]

14. Hi kaycesf!!

Welcome to DU!!

[kaycesf]

16. Oh! I've been making calls for Move-on and

just got your welcome! Thanks! Batcha and thanks! Cheers!

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

11. This is the sort of leadership this country needs

IMHO, Obama is too much of a neophyte to be considered presidential timber for 2008. Clark doesn't have a Congressional voting record for his political enemies to pick at in a campaign. I can't think of a negative for Clark being on the ticket.

[Pithy Cherub]

12. Now THAT is a Democrat who walks and talks

the same message! Wes Clark has not moderated his language to fit certain sensibilites and clearly would hold Bush and his cartel accountable for America's failures. Just absolutely love him!

[yellerpup]

13. K&R!

For an articulate, brilliant, compassionate man who has all the credentials he needs to run for President! Clark can win!

[IA_Seth]

18. Kickety n/t

[blm]

15. THANKYOU, Wes. It's CRUCIAL for Dems to say OPENLY that Iraq's in CIVIL WAR

..

[IA_Seth]

17. Tell it like it is!

Clark is strong and getting stronger...I can't wait to hear him say "I am Wesley Clark and I approve this message".