Posted on 01/15/2004 4:07:15 PM PST by Shermy
HUDSON - Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark vowed last night to work on preserving software jobs from going overseas to lower-wage countries such as India.
“We will retain the software industry in this country, it’s that simple,’’ Clark told more than 300 people jammed into the Alvirne High School cafeteria.
Clark said he would pursue changes in the tax code to punish companies that outsource skilled jobs and encourage firms that expand employment here.
The retired Army general said he would also extend a “Buy America’’ initiative to include intellectual property and block the U.S. sale of software that has national security implications.
“It’s probably the most important issue we are going to face at home,’’ Clark reassured one questioner.
Politically, this had become a ticklish issue for Clark since he said during a recent debate that the United States would be able to replace software jobs lost that get exported elsewhere.
Earlier Wednesday, Democratic front-runner Howard Dean told a Derry Opera House audience that Clark’s view is wrong-headed.
“Wes Clark said it was OK to move software jobs to India. Do you know how many out-of-work software engineers there are in New Hampshire because they are outsourcing to countries like India. We can do better than this,’’ Dean said.
During his hour-long appearance here, Clark corrected one Nashua woman who asked him to explain why he switched from a Republican to become a Democrat just after declaring his presidential bid four months ago.
“It sure seems like a conversion, doesn’t it. Actually, I wasn’t a Republican a year ago. I was never a Republican,’’ Clark said, explaining he was an independent voter throughout his years in the military and in the first three years after his retirement.
“When I got out of the military, I was courted by both parties.’’
Clark said his support for working-class soldiers and concern about education, health care and the environment convinced him to become a Democrat.
“There is only one party in America for me. That’s why I am a Democrat and I’m proud to be one.’’
The Nashua woman asking the question said she was not fully satisfied with the answer.
“He didn’t bother to mention he spoke at a Republican Party fund-raiser and praised Bush. I’m still undecided and he’s in the running but this remains a concern,’’ said the woman, who did not want to give her name.
Clark gave more explanation than at past public speeches into why he was forced to retire his NATO command in Kosovo three months early.
Clark said he insisted on aggressive action against dictator Slobodan Milosovic because he was leading a genocide against Albanians.
“Some of the boys in the Pentagon didn’t like that too much, especially those who made deals with Republicans in Congress,’’ Clark explained.
“I saved 1.5 million people and they got even. I think it was a good trade.’’
Clark also explained his service as a lobbyist for Axicom Inc., a company that developed a security software product marketed to federal homeland security officials.
After leaving the Army as a four-star general, Clark said Gertrude, his wife, only insisted he not sell weapon systems.
Clark said he didn’t want to work for defense companies but became an investment banker and admitted it was a “struggle for money.’’
“They (company executives) said, ‘We know you don’t want to do this but we need your help,’ ’’ Clark said.
Clark said he arranged meetings between company officials and top Bush leaders that helped the firm get federal contracts.
“It turned out for me to help them I had to register as a lobbyist,’’ Clark said.
Clark defended the business of lobbying.
“People do that, it’s a legitimate function. I am proud of what I did. I helped make America safe,’’ Clark said.
Earlier this week, key supporters of Democratic rival John Kerry’s campaign criticized Clark for selling his access to private industry, lumping Clark in with Vice President Dick Cheney who made a fortune running Halliburton Corp., which has since won hundreds of millions in contracts to assist the U.S. military in post-Iraq
By KEVIN LANDRIGAN, Telegraph Staff landrigank@telegraph-nh.com Published: Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004
Because Bush believes in capitalism, not socialism like Wesley Clark.
Haha. Is your homepage a joke?
Besides, capitalism is only for the in-crowd (ie other Americans). Screw the Indians/Chinese.
So do you support completely free immigration to the US. That would be pure capitalism. H1Bs at least move a little closer to that.
BTW, I'm no Clark operative. It just irritates me when pols and pundits of any party misrepresent the statements of others for political purposes. Such tactics place us in the same slime pit as the Dems.
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