Wes Clark on Clinton-Gates: "Who wanted such a quarrel?"

[Adelante]

Keith Olbermann: You know a little bit about this delicate balance between military and civilian power. Undersecretary Edelman said Mrs. Clinton's questions reinforced enemy propaganda. Mr. Gates disassociated himself from that statement today. Why does Mr. Edelman still have a job working for Mr. Gates?


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: It's a very good question, because it was very bad judgement what he sent forward. I imagine that that letter was approved. It was probably coordinated through the Pentagon with the White House because of Senator Clinton's profile. So, I would suspect that this is all a political game by Karl Rove and, and the establishment in the White House as to how to handle the, the Democrats' approach.

Keith Olbermann: The Defense Secretary says he is planning a drawdown, but he's still not giving up any information until General Petraeus makes his report in September. From a military point of view, is that actually good policy contained in there.


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well, the policy is what he's doing inside the Pentagon. If, if I were Secretary Gates, I'd be consulting with the Congress. I'd be trying to work with the Congress instead of making enemies of the Congress regardless of whether they were my party or, or the other party. And my experience in the Pentagon when I was on active duty is that's what we did. Whether the Congressmen and Senators were Republicans or Democrats, it didn't matter. We wanted support and understanding. I don't understand why Senator Clinton's questions weren't answered in the first place. Why wasn't she invited over for breakfast with Secretary Gates. That's the way it's normally done. They discuss these things privately. There's an understanding that you don't reveal the sensitive data. Senator Clinton could've said, 'Of course the Pentagon's doing its proper planning looking ahead.' Everything could've been okay. So, you have to ask yourself, well, this is a political quarrel. Who wanted such a quarrel? Only the White House.

http://securingamerica.com/node/2577

[Tom Rinaldo]

1. He always cuts to the chase and pins accountability at the top of the chain

"Only the White House."

The thing is, when Clark makes a charge like this one, he always presents the logic to back up the claim, it's not a drive by hit, he lays it all out. I will never stop appreciating that quality in General Clark, he brings the public up to speed and fills in the background that we need to know:

"And my experience in the Pentagon when I was on active duty is that's what we did. Whether the Congressmen and Senators were Republicans or Democrats, it didn't matter. We wanted support and understanding. I don't understand why Senator Clinton's questions weren't answered in the first place. Why wasn't she invited over for breakfast with Secretary Gates. That's the way it's normally done."

[Adelante]

2. "all a political game by Karl Rove"

Yeppers.

[Sparkly]

3. He's been outspoken in showing how a range of outrages go to the top

From Abu Ghraib to the Pat Tillman questions to things like this... He's never afraid to lay responsibility at the highest levels where it applies, and explain precisely WHY it does.

I am still hoping with all my heart he decides to run again. :patriot:

[Auntie Bush]

5. Same here. There is no one like him.

Clark is the very best out there to run this war and country.
He's the best one to get bipartisan support
Can anyone think of a better person?

[Sparkly]

6. There is no one like him -- that is SO true.

Nobody explains what's going on with the depth he does. Actual explanations, detail, knowledge, insight... (Another sign he's "not a politician" -- which is fine with me!)

[rndmprsn]

4. smells like karl rove to me...

[snowbear]

7. Ewww.. the smell of Karl Rove...

... that can't be pleasant!

On the bright side though.. General Clark is going to make someone an EXCELLENT Vice President!


(Since it sure doesn't look like he's jumping in.. )