Clark's Campaign Releases Glowing Accounts of His Military Career

[OKNancy]

The comments of his commander when he oversaw a tank battalion in Germany in 1977 were typical: "The most brilliant and gifted officer I've known." The commander, Col. Charles G. Prather IV, added: "I have never been more impressed with an officer's talent and dedication."

snip

In his evaluation, General Haig wrote: "Major Clark is an officer of impeccable character with a rare blend of personal qualities and professional attributes which uniquely qualify him as a soldier-scholar."

snip

"Every once in a while, one is privileged to encounter an officer so uniquely gifted that the overworked superlatives commonly utilized on evaluation reports are inadequate to effectively describe his duty performance," the commander wrote in 1981. "LTC Clark is that officer. A brilliant, dynamic and exceptionally innovative commander, his battalion has been characterized by superb esprit, discipline and professionalism."

snip

One recurring trait that appears in the evaluations is that General Clark always spoke his mind. The evaluations are replete with mentions that he "was not a yes-man," and "says what he thinks."


Edit: pressed "post" too soon

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/16/politics/campaigns/16CLAR.html

[dArKeR]

1. Next thing you know Fineman will be writing speeches for Clark.

More of Fineman's

'LIVING WHORESTORY'

[OKNancy]

2. Does not compute

What does Fineman have to do with a NY Times article? He works for Newsweek. Did you just want to get in a shot about a postive article? Nevermind...no need to respond.

[Kahuna]

4. Nah Nancy. I think it's because Fineman did a piece..

where he said that Clark was known to be a brown-nosing, yes-man.

[OKNancy]

6. Sometimes it's difficult

to figure things out on DU. Too many code words, I guess.

[truthisfreedom]

3. clark seems to be moving in a forward direction, with no bombshells in

sight. anyone know of anything that can keep this man down?

[mikehiggins]

5. Stop Clark

I'm certain that there are dozens of folks out there right now looking for problems with Clark that will stick. The difficulty is that the issues that could be discussed do not resonate with the average citizen.

During the Waco disaster, armored vehicles from a base commanded by Clark were supposedly used by the FBI to attack the Davidian complex. Somehow this was morphed into some sort of Clark involvment with the disaster that took place.

Most people, though, beleive what happened to the Davidians was at least partially their own fault. Moreover, most people understand that if you are in the Army, and the government authorises and directs you to loan equipment to the FBI, you do what you're told.

Similarly, he met with a man in the Baltics who is considered a war criminal. At the time Clark was trying to end the slaughter of untold numbers of Muslim men, women and children. People can easily understand that it might have been necessary to be cordial with a man who could help prevent that, even if he was morally corrupt.

And so on and so on...

Everything the anti-Clark folks have come up with suffers from the same weakness: a reasonable person can find reasonable explanations for everything he has been known to do over the thirty-plus years he served in the military. Ditto with his activities following his forced retirement. Its particulary difficult for the Bushies who want to point to how he was forced out because he argued with his superior officers. The guy who okayed his removal was Bill CLinton who, on the other hand, the Bushies claim is behind his run.

So, no. Unless there is something really damageing hidden away in some sealed cabinet somewhere, Clark appears to be an ideal candidate, a man for all seasons.

And he wore the uniform on the job, not on a photoshoot.

[CWebster]

7. "explanations for everything...

he has been known to do over the thirty-plus years he served in the military. Ditto with his activities following his forced retirement."

Man, if that isn't enough to raise the radar. The compartmentalising going on here is breathtaking - from good report cards from generals to rationalizations for why he did what he did when he did it....Because he spent a lifetime entrenched in the US war machine is reason enough to question his credentials as the ideal candidate for the party who has enough problems in standing up to the military's increasingly dominating influence. The entire thing makes me uneasy and I am highly skepical.

[union_maid]

8. Now that's taking a phrase and twisting it

A poster said "explanations for everything", not Clark. He probably thought he didn't have to craft every word the way a candidate does. What he might have said instead was "other side to each story" or the "full stories behind the smears". Clark is an exceptional person and that's going to become clearer and clearer to people as the country gets to know him.

[DemExpat]

10. Spending a lifetime entrenched in the US 'war machine'

while retaining his openness and his own views that he seemed to not repress, is an excellent reason for me to feel confident and hopeful that Clark will KNOW what he is dealing with, and will be able to handle and change it better than any other candidate!

:kick:

DemEx

[twilight]

20. yeah he knows how corrupt it is

bunch of ass lickers the lot of them. Clark: WHAT SIDE OF THE DAMN FENCE ARE YOU ON! :grr:

Signed: NOT A CLARK SUPPORTER (just another war monger that needs more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!)

[DoveTurnedHawk]

23. It's Obvious What Side of the Fence He's On

Obvious to anyone watching, who doesn't come to the table with a bunch of bogus, preconceived notions, anyway.

DTH

[Justice]

11. Talk About Raising Radar

.....when I see your name, I know you are offering some slap on clark. Please stick with the pro-candidate posts. Every time there is any piece on Clark, you lurk and throw up a vague post with charged words and phrases. We get that you don't like Clark. I would much rather hear about why you like your candidate, cuz these anti-Clark posts aren't working for ya.

[CWebster]

13. Listen carefully

It should be of grave concern to you, as a Democrat and an American witnessing the events of the past few years to weigh very heavily and study very carefully the credentials, background, previous history, associates, past political positions of potential future representitives of our party. I can not stress how serious this is--not only does the future of the party depend on it but the tone and direction of the country as well. It alarms me what suckers you are for a handsome face in a uniform, without knowing, and seemingly annoyed by the insistance of others to know on what foundations should we support this candidate other than he is a more attractive candidate for Republicans.

How does that in any way strengthen the Democratic party to believe they have to nominate a candidate who couldn't decide what his political afiliation was until a couple of weeks before he declared his candidacy?

And you think he shouldn't be required to answer hardball questions, and instead we should base our decisions on the commendations of generals?

Fey. I wouldn't be bullied by you.

[Rowdyboy]

17. Listen carefully...

We have listened, we have read, we have considered and we still support Clark. Obviously you disagree with our choice. So what? Hard as it may be to believe, you are not the sole source of wisdom in the world. You can waste as much time and energy as you choose attacking him, but it convinces no one here and simply makes you sound like a fanatic hater. There are 3 or 4 other names that show up everytime there is an opportunity to attack Clark and they always use the same tired rationale. None of you is open to reason so why should we bother to respond?

But if it makes you feel better, please continue attacking Democrats. Its certainly what you do best. Just don't anyone to be particularly impressed.

[CWebster]

19. Ach tung

[returnable]

24. Ah, the ol' Nazi reference

You're as predictable as an Ann Coulter tirade.

When challenged, you resort to "achtung" or "brownshirt bully boy" or "goose stepping" references.

It seems as if you are the one who is actually afraid of open dialogue.

Achtung, indeed.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

26. It's Getting To Where I Can Guess Which Poster

On my Ignore list is attacking Clark. ;-)

DTH

[Rowdyboy]

27. How can you bear to ignore them?

They're so much fun. Its like working with middle-school students.

[Rowdyboy]

9. A small response to the tons of jealous, hateful

remarks by those in the military who resented Clarks rise to the top. I can understand-small minded yes-men are frequently uneasy around the brilliant and capable.

[Devils Advocate NZ]

12. Sounds good, but...

Let's just say that Clark WAS a "yes-man", would his commanding officers criticise him for agreeing with everything they said, or would they praise him for his "billiance"?

I mean if he was a "yes-man" his "brilliance" would actually be THEIR "brilliance" would it not?

Still, if his peers and his superiors like him, then that is a good thing. Now about the people he commanded (which if he becomes President is what every American will essentially be), what do they have to say?

[OKNancy]

14. Veterans for Clark

Reads through some of the comments.

http://www.veteransforclark2004.us/page4.html

[OKNancy]

15. kick n/t

[Kool Kitty]

16. Thanks for posting that link,

Nancy. Great comments, shows what some of the military really thinks of the current misadministration. If I had a dollar for every time I saw the word "chickenhawk" used, I'd be okay. Guess they didn't like the "flight-suit" stunt, either. Great comments. Thanks again.

[Vis Numar]

18. Bill McBride

All over again.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

21. I think Dean is heir to that. nt

[Malikshah]

25. Oohh My goodness, thanks....

I soo needed a good belly laugh..Dean = McBride??

:7

Sorry-- Dean is closer to Reno-- hence the DNC-DLC inspired candidates ganging up on him.

[Donna Zen]

22. From one of his troops

I served in the 1st Cav when Clark commanded it. Clark really united the Division and quickly had it inspired. He was tough to work for, demanding, high standards--the kinds of things you would expect from someone of his background, but he pushed himself harder than he pushed anyone else. He also understood how to do things most people regarded as damn near impossible and had the confidence to demand that we do them.

I think he is in a good position to win in 2004 because of the errors the Administration has made. The caliber of people involved makes the performance we have seen almost unforgivable, which is probably why Clark is running and not trying to make some real money.

From the donkeyrising blog

[gulliver]

28. Cool. This came up at our Meet-Up in STL

Someone asked whether any people who had worked with Clark in the military had anything good to say about him. Looks like they do!

Thanks for the post.

[FrenchieCat]

29. Nice things Cohen had to say about Clark...before he started shilling for

For Bush:

Cohen and Ralston are just shilling for Bush. They believe that we will buy "1984" mode of rewriting history..........

That is why Clark is just the type of President that we need. He ain't no brown noser....and he always spoke his mind. I prefer a President who is not the a "yes man" to the Pantagon Brass....but knows their game well!


Ralston Assumes European Command; Clark Lauds His Troops
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service
STUTTGART, Germany, May 3, 2000 -- Pledging to maintain readiness and improve the quality of life of his troops and their families, Air Force Gen. Joseph W. Ralston assumed command of U.S. European Command here May 2.

Cohen saluted both generals in his address before EUCOM troops and guests. He said Ralston, who will guide the command in the dawn of the 21st century, possesses the same warrior strength and diplomatic skill of his predecessor.

"In Gen. Wes Clark," Cohen told the audience, "America found a scholar, a soldier and a statesman -- a scholar who understands the forces of history on our time, a soldier of unquestioned courage …, a statesman whose influence has been felt from the Americas where he helped to guide the fight against drug barons, to Dayton, where his counsel helped end the bloodletting in Bosnia."

Cohen praised Clark and the command for their part in NATO Operation Allied Force. He announced that he has proposed the creation of a Kosovo campaign medal. "No one should ever doubt either your service or your success," he said. "Faced with an adversary who manufactured a vicious, humanitarian nightmare, you responded with compassion and speed to relieve human suffering."

The secretary awarded Clark with his fifth award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. The award citation credited Clark with leading EUCOM through the entire spectrum of military operations from warfighting to peacekeeping to humanitarian relief.

Cohen also presented Clark's wife, Gertrude, with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Distinguished Public Service. The award cited her for more than 30 years of volunteer service to the men, women and family members of America's armed forces and those of the nation's allies.

http://www.dod.gov/news/May2000/n05032000_20005033.html