Clark is running for president on a leadership platform. According to the transcripts from an MSNBC interview, his idea of international leadership seems to consist of asking the Europeans for permission to do anything. Funny, I thought we'd grown past the "Mother, May I?" stage. We were attacked. Do we really want France and Germany determining what if anything we do about it?

(Emphasis added)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: However, if you were in Bush’s shoes right now, what would you be doing differently to rebuild those international bridges you believe have been compromised?

CLARK: Well, if I were president right now, I would be doing things that George Bush can’t do right now, because he’s already compromised those international bridges. I would go to Europe and I would build a new Atlantic charter. I would say to the Europeans, you know, we’ve had our differences over the years, but we need you. The real foundation for peace and stability in the world is the transatlantic alliance. And I would say to the Europeans, I pledge to you as the American president that we’ll consult with you first. You get the right of first refusal on the security concerns that we have. We’ll bring you in.

I'm sure he would get wide support from Chirac and company for this idea. We all know how well they want to look our for our security concerns and interests. Somehow, I doubt the next part of his proposal would fly very well.

And in return, we want the same right on your security concerns. And that would reinvigorate NATO. We then put the foundation in place to have a real transatlantic agreement.

After all, giving the US the "right of first refusal" for European security concerns would be seen as caving in to the Americans. We all know that just won't do.