Clark blasts Bush on secrecy

[bicentennial_baby]

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Retired General Wesley K. Clark called the Bush administration "a threat to democracy itself" yesterday in some of his most pointed criticisms thus far.

Clark campaigned in Oklahoma and Arizona yesterday, key states for his hopes of lasting much past tomorrow's seven primaries.

Appearing before an overflow crowd of between 200 and 300, including 10 to 20 veterans, at an American Legion post here, Clark repeatedly attacked the Bush administration but did not criticize any of his Democratic rivals by name.

Drawing loud cheers, Clark called the Bush White House the "most closed, secretive, nasty administration" he knew of. "I think they're a threat to democracy itself with its control of the media."

Answering a question from the audience earlier, Clark said that because of increasing consolidation of media conglomerates, "the media's shutting out voices of dissent in this country."

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/02/02/clark_blasts_bush_on_secrecy/

[Jerseycoa]

1. "a threat to democracy itself"

Yesssss!! The point of it all, the reason he is in this race.

:toast:

[maddezmom]

2. excellent statement ~

"the media's shutting out voices of dissent in this country."

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. "I think they're a threat to democracy itself with

its control of the media." HEAR! HEAR, Wes! Tell it like it is.....SOMEONE has to. Our man has GUTS!

Go Wes!

[charlie]

4. It's shit like this I live for

Someone, anyone with the fortitude to raise hell over the Republican crap that's always been standing out there IN PLAIN SIGHT. It's what I appreciate the most from the likes of McDermott, Durbin, Frank, Stark, and my man Kucinich. Good on ya, General, good on ya.

[bicentennial_baby]

5. Kick

:kick:

[DIBL]

6. Clark: "the media's shutting out voices of dissent in this country."

I suggest that you make that the title of your post ;)

Media consolidation and bias are a HUGE problem for our democracy. I'm glad that Clark has become more outspoken about this. He's already getting the "ignore" treatment from the media, so I guess it wouldn't hurt his chances to criticize them. I hope he makes this a regular part of his stump speech.

[Dark Star]

7. Good post!

I especially like the part about the '...drawing large cheers...' for telling the truth about the Bush White House.

Go, Wes, Go!

[kentuck]

8. This is why it's important the General stay in the race...

He is the ONLY candidate saying these things about Bush...with a seriousness that is believable.

[BootinUp]

9. hey kentuck that avatar

looks good on ya! :)

[kentuck]

13. I still like Kerry...

But after long consideration, I came to the conclusion that Clark is the best man for our Party and for our country at this time. I think he will draw enough Independents and moderate Republicans to guarantee a win in November. If they accuse him of being a "liberal", which he is, we can always say, "but he voted for Reagan..." :)

[TacticalPeek]

15. LOL!

Good one.

[buckeye1]

10. I get to vote for him tomorrow.

It feels very good. Hit him harder Wes!

[mikehiggins]

12. At least until Kerry sees how people are reacting to it.

Then it will become part of his repertoire.

"If you can do good, you should."

Wonder where you first heard that in this campaign?

[DIBL]

16. Are you serious??

Is Kerry using Clark's "If you can do good, you should" line now?

If that's the case, I'll have a hard time believing anything that comes out of this man's mouth from now on.

[slinkerwink]

11. good for clark----the media is after him as well after dean,

the only two outsiders in this race.

[ajacobson]

14. IMHO back on target

I think the Clark campaign's major error was shifting off the New American Patriotism theme. If the campaign can bring those elements back front and center, that would appeal greatly to independents and libertarians, as well as progressives.

[Toucano]

17. Clark's got Shrub's number!

"...nasty administration..."

Bingo!

[bain_sidhe]

18. Clark says "media's shutting out voices of dissent"...

And the media says,

"Kerry, Kerry, Kerry. Oh, look Edwards. In other news, Kerry, Kerry, Kerry. And, oh dear, poor Dean. This just in, Kerry, Kerry, Kerry. Now to our reporter in Oklahoma...

Ms Thang: Kerry, Kerry, Kerry. That's about it from Oklahoma... Back to you Bob.

**edited cause I left out a word or two**

[Qutzupalotl]

19. This is why we like the man.

Who else can credibly criticize Bush on national security, gays in the military, regressive taxation, media consolidation, or open government? And like a good leader, he starts with himself, opening all his records to the public.

[knight_of_the_star]

20. Nice!

He calls it like it is in a way that no other candidate can! I feel that he is going to win it bigger than expected tomorrow!

[bain_sidhe]

21. Kick because HELLO! Threat to democracy and all!!

:kick: