Clark Hints at Bush's Military Service

story.news.yahoo.com ^ | 01/17/2004 | TOM RAUM/AP

[KQQL]

PEMBROKE, N.H. - Wesley Clark (news - web sites) suggested Saturday that questions remain about President Bush (news - web sites)'s Vietnam-era service in the Texas Air National Guard, but the retired general stopped short of endorsing a comment by actor-director Michael Moore that Bush was "a deserter."

Moore, a Clark supporter, introduced the Democratic presidential nominee at a campaign rally here by saying he looked forward to debates between Clark, if he wins the Democratic nomination, and Bush.

"I want to see that debate: the general versus the deserter," Moore said to enthusiastic applause at a packed rally in a high-school gymnasium, reiterating a line he uses frequently.

Clark, asked later by reporters if he agreed with Moore's characterization of Bush as a "deserter," said: "I've heard those charges. I don't know whether they're established or not. He was never prosecuted for it. The question in this election is can we bring a higher standard of leadership to America."

The exchange recalled a controversy that was an element of the 2000 presidential campaign.

Bush served as a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard from May 1968 to October 1973, mostly flying F-102 fighter interceptors. He did not go to Vietnam.

Bush spent most of his time in the Guard based near Houston, but in May 1972 he received a three-month assignment in Alabama with the 187th Tactical Recon Unit in Montgomery while he worked on a political campaign in the state.

Retired Gen. William Turnipseed, a commander at the Alabama base, said during the 2000 presidential campaign that he never saw Bush appear for duty for that unit's drills. Bush maintains he was there, but records have never been produced to document that Bush was there.

At a news conference after the rally, Clark insisted, "I'm not going to get into the issues of what George W. Bush did or didn't do in the past."

But he also declined to criticize Moore's "deserter" remarks.

"I'm delighted with Michael Moore, I really appreciate his support, he's a fantastic leader. I thank him tremendously for being here."

Clark was the only Democratic presidential candidate campaigning in New Hampshire on Saturday. Most of his rivals were in Iowa. Clark, a late entry, decided to skip Iowa.

Clark, who has presented himself as a military man who opposed the war in Iraq (news - web sites), was to be endorsed on Sunday by 1972 Democratic presidential nominee George McGovern.

McGovern, a staunch opponent of the Vietnam war, was to campaign on Sunday with Clark in New Hampshire, Clark aides said.

In New Hampshire, his ratings in polls were increasing, putting him within striking distance of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (news - web sites), who remained the front-runner here.

Earlier, in Laconia, in the lake region of central New Hampshire, Clark said that one reason New Hampshire property taxes are high is the state has no income or general sales tax.

"Some of the responsibility for your high property taxes is a function of your state government and leadership in the state," Clark said in response to a question at a campaign stop.

High property taxes are a perennial political issue in New Hampshire, which holds the first presidential primary Jan. 27. Iowa's contest on Monday involves caucuses, rather than a primary.

In a brief interview after his appearance in Laconia, Clark said he did not intend his remarks as criticism of New Hampshire's tax system, which he said is the responsibility of the state's lawmakers and voters.

"I'm not passing judgment on it one way or another," he said.

Clark was responding to a teacher who complained that underfunding of the federal No Child Left Behind Act was driving up local property taxes. Clark said he would fully fund the act and reform it, reducing the financial burden on communities.

"To be honest with you, in New Hampshire you don't have a sales tax for most of your purchases, and you don't have an income tax as most states do," he said to a large round of applause.

Only New Hampshire and Alaska have neither general sales nor income taxes, and Alaska has substantial oil revenues.

___

[SkyPilot]

Sen. James Inhofe, a Republican member of the Armed Services Committee, told me that Mr. Clark was known as "Clinton's general" during his time as NATO commander and constantly ran decisions about the Kosovo war directly by the White House. One general who served with him called him "brilliant" but added that his "need to win, right down to the core of his fiber," makes him "highly manipulative." Another general told the Washington Post "There are an awful lot of people who believe Wes will tell anybody what they want to hear and tell somebody the exact opposite five minutes later." Sounds like another Arkansas politician we know--but can Mr. Clark do it as well as Bill Clinton? One of the challenges Mr. Clark will face will be his closeness to the Clintons. It is no secret that they are suspicious of Dr. Dean, the current front-runner, whom they fear would be trounced so badly against President Bush that he could hurt Hillary's prospects in 2008.

Source: Why Wesley Clark is Dangerous

[TheSpottedOwl]

Hey Wesley? After you land a jet on a carrier, let me know about Bush's non military record. F*cking idiot....

[adam_az]

Theres slightly more to it than that. A year of his records are missing, which is quite common for old military records. He moved to work on someones senate campaign, and went off active flight status. Then his transfer was rejected, he missed a couple weekends of duty, and made them up later. The entire basis for Moore calling him a deserter is that he missed a couple weekends of service and made them up later, and that he was honorably dischaged.

The worst you can say is that he had a spotty attendance record his last year of service, and then made up 36 days all at once.

If I recall, there is no statute of limitations for desertion. Bring on the charges, mikey!

anyone have a link to one of the old threads with all the specifics?

[adam_az]

That's Mladic Ratko in the photo... and the case against Slobo isn't as cut and dry as you might have been led to believe.

[adam_az]

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son!

[hershey]

Since Bush senior is a decorated WWII veteran and a man of considerable honor and integrity , it's highly unlikely that GW, his eldest son, would try to slide out of military duty...or that his father would allow it. Doesn't make sense. But then liberals enjoy telling lies, the bigger, the better.

[OldSmaj]

I really appreciate his support, he's a fantastic leader.

This is an outrage.

A 4-star general saying that a fat-ass, nasty-looking, lying POS is a fantastic leader?

I have left Clark alone out of respect for his rank, but this strips the gloves off.

Hey, Clark, I'm stating it publicly now: You are a politicking, back-stabbing, ring-knocking, blow-dried excuse for a warrior.

I question your integrity and your honesty.

I question your decision making ability under pressure and I question your ability to make perceptive assessments of those persons that surround you.

I will take every opportunity to denigrate you and your "service".

You piece of shit.

I wouldn't follow you across the street, much less into combat.

[Atlantian]

Yes, H.W.Bush was a war hero. Wasn't he the youngest Navy pilot in WWII? The best seller, "Fly Boys", is about the group of pilots H.W. Bush flew with. I marvel at all of H.W. Bush's accomplishments.

[mystery-ak]

SgMajor...what took you so long?

I can't believe he had 4 stars!

..and I loved to see the former JC's rip him apart, but we all know there is a silent code of never to speak ill of another soldier....

[Indiana Girl]

I bet Clark had never even heard of Michael Moore until recently. What a couple of chumps.

[hershey]

You're absolutely right. Bush the elder was one humdinger war hero! Which is why no one in his right mind would think he'd countenance his eldest son being a 'deserter', not for one minute!

[OldFriend]

The real question is.......just who is buying Moore's books? I suspect they are purchased in bulk and are lying in some warehouse, never to be read.

[chiller]

Correct. The Alabama guard, iirc, had no planes with which to train. The honorable discharge says everything anyone needs to know. It's bulls*it.

[Lazamataz]

Part of Bush's military service also includes his role as Commander in Chief.

And Weasely Clerk ain't got s**t he can say about that....

[Patriot1998]

It sure would be nice hear from the press why Clark was relieved from duty as NATO Commander. I wonder when this little bombshell will explode?

[ChadGore]

[Democratshavenobrains]

If Moore was a real hater of the Iraq War, he would be backing Kucinich. He's just a phony who likes publicity.

[bushfamfan]

Notice how the press and Demonrats try to latch onto how President Bush was supposedly AWOL and they continue to get away with it because no one from the Bush camp puts it to rest. It's time they hit back because they continue with their slander. And who are Michael Moore and Weasley Clark to talk when they are big Clintoon supporters? Clark will continue to be linked to Clintoon and he so deserves it. Clark isn't fit for office.

[alloysteel]

George Soros (plus a number of other "patrons") is pouring a small part of his not inconsiderable wealth into propping up the numbers on the sales of certain books that appear on the "New York Times Bestsellers Lists". Oddly enough, all of them have a common theme, written by activists who have a brief for blaming America first. Perhaps a sale of 40-50,000 a week for a couple weeks is enough to get on "best-seller" status, and from that point, the buyers who base their book purchases on these lists, manage to keep up the momentum for a while.

[OldFriend]

The revelations about Clark will explode when they matter. For now, it's best to sit back and watch the show.