HOLLYWOOD, 20 September 2003 — Former NATO commander Wesley Clark has hit the campaign trail at a Kosher restaurant in Florida, one day after entering the race for the Democratic nomination for next year’s presidential election.
He was given a rousing welcome late Thursday, one day after his declaration, by about 200 people, many of them retirees, including decorated World War II veterans and regulars of the Deli Den in Hollywood, Florida.
Clark, standing on a chair in the middle of the overflowing restaurant, criticized President George W. Bush on the economy and Iraq and told supporters he needed money. “We’re the envy of the whole world but we are trapped in a jobless economy and an endless occupation and that is the problem we have to address,” Clark said.
“I’m running for president because this country needs leadership. It needs honest leadership, it needs visionary leadership, it needs leadership with experience,” he said.
He drew thunderous cheers when he told supporters “We’re going to ask why are we engaged in Iraq. Mr. President, tell us the truth”.
“Mr. President, what are you going to do now that we are there, what’s the strategy?” the retired four-star general, who is close to former President Bill Clinton, asked rhetorically.
The anti-Bush sentiment was also evident among his supporters, several of whom were finishing an early dinner as Clark showed up.
“Wesley Clark sounds like an intelligent man, not like this cowboy we have as a president, who shoots first and asks questions later,” said Irvin Block, 79, a World War II veteran.
Emily Friedman, 75, another Bush opponent, said she was “thrilled to death” that Clark decided to vie for the Democratic nomination.
“He sounds wonderful, his credentials are excellent,” she said as the 58-year-old Clark walked through the restaurant shaking hands with supporters, several of whom held up “draft Clark” banners.
One small group campaigned for Clark to team up with former first lady Senator Hillary Clinton. “That’s our dream team,” said Bob Kunst. “The whole world hates Bush and loves Clinton,” he said.
Supporters likened Clark to Dwight Eisenhower, the commanding general of US forces in Europe during World War II who later became head of NATO and then president (1953-1961.) Like Clark today, Eisenhower had not held elected office when he first hit the campaign trail.
Clark’s role as a former NATO supreme commander and his challenges to Bush’s policy on Iraq and national security, could make him a strong candidate.
But he has virtually no political experience and lacks the name recognition of most of the other nine Democrats who hope to take on Bush in November 2004.
Clark led NATO’s 1999 campaign in Kosovo and helped negotiate the Bosnian peace process. He left his NATO post three months early in May 2000 after a dispute with then Defense Secretary William Cohen over the Bosnia campaign.
Clark reminded the crowd of his ties with Florida. He was in charge of the Southern Command when its headquarters moved from Panama to the southeastern state.
Florida, which determined the outcome of the 2000 election after five weeks of uncertainty, could again play a key role in 2004.
