Wes Clark's Presidential election votes - historical precedents

[Screaming Lord Byron]

Obviously a fairly major criticism of General Clark is that he admits to having previous voted for Republicans in Presidential Elections. I am one of those people that has had doubts about Clark's position, but in the spirit of fairness, here's some historical precendents.

Pierre Trudeau - voted NDP (socialist) in 1963, was Liberal Prime Minister of Canada 1968-79, 80-84, considered perhaps Canada's greatest leader.

Winston Churchill - Tory MP, Liberal cabinet minister, Tory Prime Minister. Change parties twice!

Lucien Bouchard - Supported NDP then Liberals while at University, became Progressive Conservative Cabinet Minister, become Parti Quebecois Premier of Quebec. Supported four parties!

Tony Blair - Former Social Democratic MP, now neo-con PM of Britain (ok, joke - sort of)

Like I say, I'm not a Clark supporter (as a Canadian, I don't have a set favourite, but I like Kucinich, Kerry and Dean), but as you can see, Wes Clark is not unique as someone who has supported a party other than the one he's running for.

'Before us stands yesterday' - Ted Hughes

[joeybee12]

1. You're right--he's not unique--Ike comes to mind as someone who

never even voted before running for President, so there is that history as well.

That said, even though Clark is not unique, it does bother me, and it's my right to have it bother me. I think I would be leary of anyone with such a history.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

3. Yeah, this post is more for historical reference than anything else.

[LTR]

2. Historical perspective from the US

Ronald Reagan - Liberal democrat who became conservative Republican

Norm Coleman - Moderate Democrat who became Bush ass-kissing Repug.

Ben Nighthorse Campbell - Democrat, became moderate Repug.

Strom Thurmond - Piece of shit Democrat who became a piece of shit Repug.

Not sure where this is going, but then again, I'm not sure where your post was going either.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

4. No hidden subtext here, just historical reference of others who have

been in a similar position.

[Bread and Circus]

5. Hey, that's fine for Canada, but in 'Merika we like things simple...

We don't take kindly to folks voting across party lines.