Clark Takes Spotlight at New York Debate

Thursday, September 25, 2003

(4:28 PM ET)

By Ron Fournier

Associated Press Writer

Clark took his place alongside the other nine contenders scarcely a week after joining the race -- and rival Howard Dean passed up an opportunity to criticize the former general's recent political conversion. “It's up to the voters in the Democratic Party to determine.”

Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark and wife Gert (C) laugh at a sign held by a supporter at a rally in the Bowling Green in New York, September 25, 2003. Clark was en route to a debate with other candidates at Pace University in lower Manhattan. REUTERS/Jeff Zelevansky;Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark and wife Gert laugh at a sign held by a supporter at a rally in the Bowling Green in New York, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2003. Clark was en route to a debate with other candidates at Pace University in lower Manhattan.

Image Credit: Jeff Zelevansky -- Reuters

NEW YORK -- AP
Retired Gen. Wesley Clark emphatically presented his credentials as a Democrat on Thursday and attacked President Bush in campaign debate as “a man who recklessly cut taxes, who recklessly took us into war in Iraq.”

Asked in the debate's opening moments about favorable comments he made about Bush as recently as 2001, Clark did not disavow them.

Instead, he said he is pro-choice, pro-affirmative action, pro-environment and pro-health, adding “that's why I am proud to be a Democrat.”

In a further slap at Bush's Iraq policy, the former supreme NATO commander said the United States should “engage with allies, be a good player in the international community, should use force only as a last resort.”
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2003 © The Associated Press.

Dan