Clark Wants Bush Iraq Action Investigated

AP ^ | January 15, 2004

[Shermy]

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark said Thursday it was up to Congress to determine whether President Bush (news - web sites)'s march to war in Iraq amounted to a criminal offense.

Asked if it was criminal to mislead the nation in going to war, Clark told reporters, "I think that's a question Congress needs to ask. I think this Congress needs to investigate precisely" how the United States wound up in a war "that wasn't connected to the threat of al-Qaida."

The retired four-star general defended his recent comments against the war after both his Democratic rivals and top Republicans complained that the statements were inconsistent with past remarks by Clark, including testimony to Congress in October 2002.

Clark has called for a full congressional probe into why the United States went to war in Iraq, but his comments Thursday marked the first time he had hinted at possible criminal wrongdoing.

Asked by a reporter if he thought Bush might have committed an impeachable offense, Clark said, "Let's have that investigation done."

Clark renewed his criticism that Bush misled the nation on Iraq. "This was an elective war," he said. "He forced us to go to war."

Clark denied that he had changed his position on the war, renewing his assertion that he had opposed it all along. Earlier in the day, Ed Gillespie, the RNC chairman, had traveled to Arkansas — Clark's home state — and criticized the Democratic candidates, singling out Clark and arguing that he had changed his position on the war for political gain.

The RNC also released a transcript of Clark's testimony in September 2002 to the House Armed Services Committee in which he called Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein a clear threat and said military action could not be postponed indefinitely.

Responding to criticism from Gillespie, Clark told reporters that it was a sign that his campaign was succeeding.

"It looks like they've finally figured out that I'm George Bush's greatest threat," he said, blaming it on White House political adviser Karl Rove.

[JusPasenThru]

John Kerry, the haughty, French-looking senator from Mass. (did you know he served in Viet Nam?) was just quoted as saying: "Wes Clark? What a stupid little effer".

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I want Clark's sanity investigated.

I don't know whether to applaud those Democrats who back Clark or to chastise them for being so gullible.

It's obvious to most anyone that Clark is a Republican disguised as a Democrat.

I welcome the Democrats who support him to come over to the Bush camp and vote for a real Republican.

[BurtS188]

Why does a CANIDATE that is holding no office whatsoever get to call for an investigation of anything? Why are his ramblings respected as noteworthy? Shouldn't he just say what he's going to do when he gets in and not try and be a lobbyist/congressman/senator/representative until he actually gets elected to something???

[BigWaveBetty]

I want Wesley Clark investigated for this ensemble.

[mplsconservative]

Welcome to Free Republic chris2004. James Madison must be a favorite of yours because you sure post this quote a lot.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

"Willie hears ya, Clark. Willie don't care."

[Howlin]

I want Clark's sanity investigated.

No need for that.

[Howlin]

OMG, Weejuns with no socks! How utterly early 60's!

[Carolinamom]

Why don't we investigate why our troops are still in those places Clark supposedly liberated? And what about that Chineese embassy bombing?

[Delta 21]

Clark wants to be President too, but that aint gonna happen either!

[oyez]

OMG, Weejuns with no socks.

I remember we had a battle royal with our school about that. After seeing that picture, I'm now convinced the school was right.

Looks like the General is reliving his high school days. tacky tacky tacky

[Howlin]

Most of us have grown up now.

[F16Fighter]

"Clark read Hillary, wants Bush Iraq Action investigated.

Ladyinred wants Clinton's inaction re: terrorist attacks against the USS Cole, and the World Trade Center investigated."

Heh!

[F16Fighter]

"I want Wesley Clark investigated for this ensemble."

If only Clark went with black mules instead of the brown loafers, the outfit may have worked -- especially with the metrosexual crowd...

[Jorge]

Amazing. One year ago Clark was testifying before Congress about Saddam's WMDs and what a threat he was, and why war was justified to remove him.
And now he wants Bush impeached for doing what he suggested?
What is wrong with Clark?

[Peach]

Good points. AND, Clark and Clinton said those troops would be home by Christmas.

[Carolinamom]

Did he say WHICH Christmas? Our guys are stuck there while Bubba goes merrily on his way. There's GOT to be consequences for him somewhere somehow someday. I hope I live long enough to witness it.