Clark's war stance as early as 11/12/02

[xultar]

Follow this link to a clip of Clark discussing the possibility of a war with Iraq. The show was taped in NH for New Hampshire Outlook.

http://www.videos4clark.com/vidclips/NH_Outlook_11122002.WMV

In his own words....

[Democrats unite]

1. Wow in his own words!

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1. Blast OFF!

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. "Don't rush into this, do it as a last resort only"

A very clear presentation of Clark's views well over a year ago, well before the conflict started.

Too much to copy down and type for a slow typer like me. Here's a highlight:

"Everybody who's been in uniform, and everybody who has heard a shot fired in anger says, Don't rush into this, do it as a last resort only."

Clark also warned that the U.S. going militarily into a Middle Eastern country without International legitimacy, and the support of some other Arab nations, would breed resentment against the U.S. and provide recruitment opportunities to Al Quada. He also stressed that without detailed planning in advance, major combat would go quickly and well, but a host of complex problems would emerge in the aftermath.

It does anger me when so many people blindly insist on seizing on a poorly handled interview to prove that Clark was "pro-war" and in favor of the invasion when his entire record says otherwise. Especially if they will not even look at evidence like this. Howard Dean never said the U.S. should never send armed forces into Iraq under any circumstances. Neither did Clark. Yet both men, and Dennis Kucinich, were clearly strong voices in opposition to Bush's policy. They ALL deserve credit for that.

[sandnsea]

11. If don't rush is anti-war

Kerry is anti-war too. He said the exact same thing. All along, earlier than this in the summer of 2002. But Clark also went to Congress and testified about the danger of Saddam and the need to do something because sanctions were crumbling and the WMD, etc. You can't just take a few words here or there and come up with pro-war, anti-war. There is a UN process that every candidate supported, except Kucinich, and the only way to get that process going was with the IWR. It's a shame Clark won't admit it's true because his testimony to Congress proves he knows it was true.

[mikehiggins]

15. Mr. Perle doesn't see it that way

After Clark's testimony in Congress, Perle was very clear about what he had just heard.

Clark, he said, just didn't want to do it.

"So I think General Clark simply doesn't want to see us use military force and he has thrown out as many reasons as he can develop to that but the bottom line is he just doesn't want to take action. He wants to wait."

Now, if the architect of the goddamned war himself says Clark didn't want to do it, what is the question?

[xultar]

21. kick n/t

[xultar]

17. kick n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. This is too important a link to ignore.

Clark bashers won't post to this thread because that will only keep it kicked, and that is the LAST thing that they want.

[wyldwolf]

4. KICK!

[returnable]

5. Yep. Kick. We know they're reading...

...even if they're afraid to post :hi:

:kick:

[isbister]

6. Kerry's war stance from the Senate floor on October 9, 2002

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2002_1009.html

[DIBL]

7. kick

[MrSlayer]

8. I've been hearing from Right Wingers

that Clark supported the war and has all of a sudden made a turnaround, thanks for the vid.

[xultar]

14. kick n/t

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. See. They are STILL trying to claim that Clark supported Iraq invasion

It came up again in the debate. Trying to pull bits of Clark's words out of context. There is no potential news left in this tired routine. It is an orchestrated hit to separate Clark from potential left leaning support. If you are unsure of the truth, you owe it to yourself and the candidates who are fighting for you to at least try to look beyond the hits. The video link in the thread header couldn't be clearer about Clark's detailed position, well before the votes in Congress, the invasion, and the election campaign.

[Joe the Revelator]

10. Kick

:kick:

[sandnsea]

12. The vote was in October

I have a really hard time debating this with people who obviously have no clue of any of the facts whatsoever and only use a couple of words spoken one day to support their claims. Nobody was pro-war except Lieberman.

[mikehiggins]

16. That testimony the questioner referred to

After Clark's testimony in Congress, he was followed by Richard Perle, who had sat through all of Clark's comments. Perle was very clear about what he had just heard.

Clark, he said, just didn't want to do it.

"So I think General Clark simply doesn't want to see us use military force and he has thrown out as many reasons as he can develop to that but the bottom line is he just doesn't want to take action. He wants to wait."

Now, if the architect of the goddamned war himself says Clark didn't want to do it, what is the question?

[returnable]

13. Kick

[Clark Can WIN]

18. Clark needs to start citing this interview specifically

Take that! Smear mongers.

[truebrit71]

19. Excellent post..excellent link

Any questions?

Bueller? Bueller??

[Crewleader]

20. Excellent xultar

along with your support for Wesley Clark! :thumbsup:

[aquanut]

22. Bingo! Seems almost prescient, doesn't it? n/t