The Scum at the Top
Commentary on the Rats in Washington
Former candidate Clark endorses Kerry
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
© February 13, 2004
Former candidate Gen. Wesley Clark endorsed Sen. John Kerry's bid
for the Democratic presidential nomination Friday, calling the
Massachusetts lawmaker "the kind of leader Americans need."
Clark announced the endorsement at a campaign rally with Kerry
in Madison, Wis.
"I ask you to join me in standing up for an American who has
given truly outstanding service to his country in peace and
in war," Clark said.
Clark said Kerry has the "right message and right character
to bring the nation forward."
The former general also said Kerry has the strength to
defeat President Bush and to "stand up to the Republican
attack dogs and send them home licking their wounds."
During Friday's rally, Clark, the former NATO supreme
allied commander, asked Kerry, a former Navy lieutenant, for
"permission to come aboard," as the audience laughed and
applauded. Both men were decorated for combat service in
Vietnam.
"Both John and I served in Vietnam -- and know what it is
to be tested on the battlefield, fighting for your country,"
Clark said. "John Kerry never quit fighting for his country."
For his part, Kerry lauded Clark's career and presidential
campaign before launching into an issue-by-issue critique
of President Bush's policies.
"General Clark is not going to stand behind me he's going
to stand beside me in this great battle to take America
back," Kerry said, inviting Clark to the front of the stage.
"I have true admiration for the extraordinary career Wes
Clark has led on behalf of his country," Kerry said.
Clark withdrew from the Democratic race on Wednesday,
following disappointing third-place finishes in Virginia
and Tennessee on Feb. 10. Clark won Oklahoma's Feb. 3
primary, but never seemed to gain broad support among
Democratic voters nationwide.
During his withdrawal speech, Clark praised both Kerry
and Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.
"They are good men, good Democrats and real patriots --
and they've run great campaigns," Clark said.
While Clark stood nearby, Kerry accused President Bush of
not providing proper funding for homeland security, while
overextending U.S. resources abroad.
"We should not be opening firehouses in Baghdad and shutting
them in the United States of America," Kerry said.
Kerry also criticized Republicans for using what he said
were negative advertisements and campaign tactics, telling
the crowd "they can't talk to you about issues."
Kerry then outlined his own platform, promising to provide
better health care and education for Americans by using
funds gleaned from a partial rollback of Republican tax
cuts.
Kerry further said he would reduce U.S. dependence on
foreign oil by supporting alternative energy research.
The Massachusetts senator also lambasted the president's
economic record, saying that the administration is only
interested in the stock market, not the finances of ordinary
Americans.
Kerry said he would work to create jobs and would penalize
companies that "outsource" jobs to overseas markets.
As Kerry campaigned with Clark on Friday, Edwards, who is
also attempting to woo Wisconsin voters, sought to dispel
notions that Kerry is assured victory in the race for the
Democratic nomination.
"First of all, the nomination process is going to go on for
a while, well into March," said Edwards, who spoke to voters
at a Milwaukee union hall on Friday.
Edwards also criticized the president over the outsourcing
of jobs and the relocation of companies overseas.
"These trade agreements have been absolutely devastating,"
he said. "I know what it means to you personally. The jobs
that supported middle-class families are disappearing."
Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, once considered the
front-runner in the race, earlier said if he did not win
Wisconsin he will withdraw. Dean later said that supporters
have asked him to remain in the race even if he is defeated
in the Dairy State.
On Friday Dean, campaigning in Durand, Wis., said, "There
are an enormous amount of people who do want to continue."
Dean said he believes he is gaining ground on Kerry, but his
campaign will "regroup" in Vermont after Tuesday's Wisconsin
primary.
Dean urged Wisconsin voters to think independently and vote
to "take back the White House for ordinary Americans."
-- Compiled from wire reports and other media sources
The Scum at the Top - Home
E-mail: dwagner2@isd.net
©2007 DJW
Last Modified:
January 15, 2007