September 25, 2003
VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE ... ER, I'LL GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT
Jay Ambrose spots a minor flaw in Wesley Clark’s presidential plans:
Wesley Clark doesn't seem to have much of an idea of what he thinks about health care, jobs, education or any other domestic issue, and there's therefore a major question about his presidential candidacy. Why is he running?
Beats me. All I know is, at a time of international crisis, with manifold threats circling the globe like so many bloody-clawed jackals, what the US really needs is a President who knows when to yell: ”Mary, help!”
UPDATE. Reader KevinV in comments alerts us to a remarkable quote from Retired General H. Hugh Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/11:
Posted by Tim Blair at September 25, 2003 01:52 AM"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."
I just read something on Clark that had my jaw drop in utter disbelief. Check this out:
"Some tough words for Wesley Clark, courtesy of this story in the Los Altos Times on former JCS chairman Hugh Shelton: "'What do you think of General Wesley Clark and would you support him as a presidential candidate,' was the question put to [Shelton] 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.'" Ouch."
And don't forget, retired Gen. Shelton is a North Carolina boy! There ARE folks with sense south of the Mason-Dixon! Native Southerners!
Posted by: Steve at September 25, 2003 at 03:58 AMOn a lighter note I'm thrilled that GEN Shelton is recovering nicely from his fall.
"Integrity and Character issues" sounds like he he was screwing someone on his staff and lying about it.
Clark always struck me as a guy who would sacrifice as many subordinates as it took to get another promotion.
Posted by: monkeyboy at September 25, 2003 at 04:11 AMExactly, monkeyboy. He was always a political general and a butt-boy of the Clintons, which is how he got command in Kosovo and later became SACEUR.
Can you say "stalking horse"?
Posted by: mojo at September 25, 2003 at 05:17 AM"Integrity and Character issues" sounds like he he was screwing someone on his staff and lying about it.
Because that sort of thing just was not tolerated by the Clinton Administration.
Posted by: scott h. at September 25, 2003 at 05:26 AMWell, its not tolerated by the military. It still seems like codewords to me. It could also be Sheltons nice way of saying "He was an SOB to the troops, a suck-up to me and I couldn't trust a word he said."
Posted by: Monkeyboy at September 25, 2003 at 05:33 AMOr, it could simply be he was cozy with mass-murderers, was a constant diplomatic threat, and was unstable enough to risk broadening the conflict by attacking Russian troops...
Posted by: E.A. at September 25, 2003 at 05:52 AMfunny, there's no mention at all of shelton's comments on cnn's site...go figure
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at September 25, 2003 at 06:01 AMI served with Gen. Shelton in the 25th Inf. Div., earlier in his career. Whatever he says about Welsey Clark, bank on it.
Posted by: wallace at September 25, 2003 at 07:12 AMI don't like Clark. However, so far the feeling is mostly visceral. So, I need something to back it up and Shelton's comments are too vague. If he has serious reservations about the character of someone running for president I, for one, sure wish he would elaborate on it; especially since Clark supporters can, at this point, dismiss it at sour grapes for someone who didn't kiss his [Shelton's] ass sufficiently.
So, come on, Hugh! Spill the beans!
Wallace writes:
"I served with Gen. Shelton in the 25th Inf. Div., earlier in his career. Whatever he says about Welsey Clark, bank on it."
Every man I know who had the privilege of serving with General Shelton has said the same thing.
On the other hand, everyone I know who served under Gen. Clark says something very different about Clark.
On the details, I wish Hugh would spill the beans, too. I do remember that at least one of the major reviews for Clark's book on the Kosovo campaign went into detail as to why he was relieved by Clinton. Anyone with more time care to Google that up for us?
A pearl, Clark is Bill's kinda guy.The Dems a dribbling communisto tossers.
Abe.Lincoln had a dim view of tosser generals which is why he put the Union's version of Patton in charge.
Posted by: d at September 25, 2003 at 10:15 AM