Democrat Edwards Criticizes Clark's Past Comments

Mon October 6, 2003 06:57 PM ET
By Greg Frost

NASHUA, N.H. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Monday criticized newcomer Wesley Clark's past praise of President Bush and shrugged off concerns about the retired general's White House bid.

Edwards joined several Democratic rivals, including former Gov. Howard Dean of Vermont and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, in calling attention to Clark's praise of Bush at a Republican fund-raiser in Arkansas in 2001.

<snip>

Edwards, a former trial lawyer, brushed aside suggestions he had fallen behind the retired general in the race for votes and for cash.

"Let me know when he's raised $15 million. He's a little ways away from that," the senator chuckled, adding he was leading Clark in other early battleground states.

"I'm 10 points ahead of him in South Carolina and beating him in Iowa," Edwards said. "My campaign is not changed. It's focused on a message about empowering working people and giving them the chances they're supposed to have.

http://asia.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=3566638

DEMOCRATIC candidates. ;-)

i hope so since i never understood why you didn't. he is a very good man.

He lost my vote in May 2002.

Edwards and Clark are in most direct competition tactically in the Democratic nomination race. I think this is a smart move for Edwards. He's doing OK.

So I won't even point out that he voted
for the Iraq war, which was tantamount to
the ultimate praise and support of the illegitimate
Resident and his illegal war.

:evilgrin:

anyway

I think it would be a clear winner.

This is the guy who wrote up the draft for the Patriot Act, now he questions the loyalty of other democrats. Stupid.

It doesn't make me more likely to vote for someone.

I'm a little surprised a freshman dem senator would have such a major role in drafting such major legislation.

What exactly was Edwards's role in that?

Edwards has been one of the more vocal critics of the Patriot Act, among the candidates, and I've never heard a reporter or rival ask him about that seeming contradiction, why do you think this is?

Edwards questioned Clark's work at Acxiom. Why doesn't Clark respond by asking Edwards about his drafting the Patriot Act?

He had a minor role in one little section..can't even remember what it was.

I thought Bushes BOYZ drafted it

What a maroon. Clark's former praising of Republicans is a GOOD thing. It shows he's disenchanted, and not a mere partisan hack. He can honestly say "Like many of you, I once supported Bush and felt he would do great things for this nation. And, like many of you, I have been thoroughly betrayed."

The General public is already becoming defensive of Clark. They want to protect him from this Democratic Eliticism! The majority of those in the Democratic party will circle their wagons around the General. They understand what their party is about; inclusiveness, open mindness and reasonability.

Edward just jumped on the bandwagon...cause these guys are getting their news a little too late...kinda like sticking their finger to the air...to see which way the wind is blowing.....Too bad they don't yet know that the wind has already started blowing back the other way.

That's the problem with career politicians. Their followers, not leaders.

He would have been elevated in my mind to remain classy and above the Fray! I liked Edwards...used to be my #3 choice.....

And he needed some visibility and tagging Clark helps... it's POLITICS! :)

Edwards supporters, if you read this... it'd be great to see more press releases from his campaign.

There's alot of stuff from there Dean and Clark and Kerry supporters but maybe not so much from Edward's fans.

From their very beginnings of upstaging his announcement and in all mentioning of him, the Clark campaign has been very combative with Edwards; he's returning fire.

He is also diametrically opposed on many key issues, like vouchers, and has every right to speak out. This is hardly untoward.

Edwards is MUCH more to the left and for the working folk, and he's easily electable. It's this fear of the booga-booga Bushman that drives most support for Clark, and it's as tiresome as it is completely unnecessary; we don't have to go that far to the right.

Clark seems to think he can stand up and say that Junior deceived us by claiming to be something "acceptable" like a "compassionate conservative". That doesn't wash. Even if there was such a thing as compassionate conservative (vegetarian predator?) it's still not acceptable. We had the third way with Clinton and that was plenty; it didn't "save" the party.

The standard response to any criticism by Edwards from Clark's camp has been a uniform "ha ha ha, he's a loser" refrain that smacks of conservative bullying. His supporters and his staff are often indistinguishable from right-wing screamers, and that just won't do. It doesn't talk like a duck recently, but it walks like one and something just doesn't smell right.

Since when does Edwards have a monopoly on announcement days? Clark was sandwiched between Edwards and the hurricane, that Wednesday was the only viable day.

Clark hasn't gone negative on Edwards once. Edwards has sent a few negative volleys Clark's way. Clark's responses have been above-the-fray and appropriate.

At least Edwards isn't telling outright lies about Clark's record, like Dean has. I'll give Edwards credit for that.

DTH

and Clark helped raise funds for rethuglycans

gimme a break

when you're talking about clark. Either that, or expediency.

Thats about all we hear of him. Unfortunate - he seems to have a good message. Gee, all my theories of who would be Clark's running mate are eliminating themselves.

Afew weeks ago everyone had their sights on Dean. Now that Clark is in the lead, everyone want a peice of him. Notice that none of the candidates are attacking Edwards. There is a reason for that.

Biased Clark stories in an effort to go "negative" on Clark.

Unlike certain supporters of other candidates, however, I feel this is legitimate news. Thanks for posting the story, Pruner.

DTH

It's in style. B-)