Bush voters like Clark's message

The Knox News Sentinel ^ | 2/6/04 | Bryan Mitchell

[GailA]

Bush voters like Clark's message By BRYAN MITCHELL, mitchellb@knews.com February 6, 2004

Jade Rose, 22, works at Goody's Family Clothing corporate office in West Knoxville.

Darrell Hickman, 45, is the deputy director of engineering and public works for Knox County.

Both said they voted for President Bush in the 2000 election.

But on Thursday night they were two of more than 100 people who packed a banquet room at Calhoun's on the River to hear Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark.

"I like the fact that he's not a career politician," Rose said. "I stand behind the issues that he is advocating, especially health care and education."

The retired general, who made his third visit to Knoxville on Thursday night, is spinning his inexperience in politics as a positive, reminding the crowd he is not "a professional politician."

The former professional soldier and NATO Supreme Allied Commander spoke for about 15 minutes after arriving late at the function. He then attended the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball game versus Connecticut.

Last September he and fellow presidential candidate the Rev. Al Sharpton shared the stage at the annual Truman Day Dinner and on Dec. 12 he held a brief rally at the Knoxville Expo Center.

Clark's appearance in Knoxville came on the heels of his first political victory. On Tuesday night he clinched the Oklahoma primary by a close margin.

Surging from that win, Clark sought to distinguish himself from the competition ahead of Tennessee's primary on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

His stated goal to import prescription drugs drew the loudest applause. "By executive order I am going to allow Americans to buy prescription drugs at half price from Canada," the former Rhodes Scholar said.

Hickman, a Republican who also voted for Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, said Bush's handling of the war in Iraq and the ballooning deficit pushed him away from the president.

"I like the things that I have heard on (Clark's) radio and TV ads," he said. "I want to see if he means it."

Hickman, still undecided, said Bush's "open checkbook" and the awarding of no-bid contracts to Halliburton Co., Vice President Dick Cheney's former employer, have both drawn red flags.

"I have to put a bid out on every (county) contract we award. That's the way it's done," Hickman said.

Clark plans to attend a roundtable discussion at 3 p.m. today in Knoxville with community leaders and clergy. Details about the function's location were unavailable Thursday night.

On Thursday, East Tennessee voters hungry for a candidate who can topple Bush in November soaked up Clark's high-energy rhetoric.

"I think we can do better than George W. Bush," Clark said to a roar of approval.

[GailA]

fyi

[anniegetyourgun]

"Both said they voted for President Bush in the 2000 election."

And the so-called journalist bought it.

[Moby Grape]

They like his stands on the issues.....WHAT? Clark makes no sense on ANYTHING...These people are eating lead paint chips....What STANDS on issues?....the ONLY thing that Clark has been clear about is his belief that a woman has the right to kill her baby up to the moment of birth....

[Coop]

Tee hee hee.

The media's assault continues...

[Always Right]

They like his stands on the issues.....WHAT? Clark makes no sense on ANYTHING...These people are eating lead paint chips....What STANDS on issues?....

What has Clark really said about education and how in the world is a president gonna impact education? Some people are clueless.

[alwaysconservative]

Oh goodie, yet another "I voted for Bush in 2000 but never again" story from the media that hates President Bush. The tip-off that this is a total fabrication is the guy who said that he was bugged by the Halliburton contract award. Only Democrats used Halliburton as an epithet; real people understand about bidder requirements. Did ANYONE in this "packed" crowd of 100 ask him what the JohnKerry he was doing when he tried to start WWIII? Or about his pancake-flipping stance on abortion? Or just how he was planning to expand the government treat bag?

[alwaysconservative]

In my ranting, I forgot to tell you thanks for finding and posting this revealing look into the darkness of the other side.

[GailA]

You are welcome...weasley clinton..another one who thinks they can rule by EO's.

[tbpiper]

"I like the fact that he's not a career politician,"

Really? They ought to look at his 'military' career.

[Carolinamom]

It must have been a pretty small room if 100 people "packed" it.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Oh yeah sure they voted for Bush in 2000. They probably voted by absentee ballot from Mars.

The Gen’ral

I‘d say that you’re invalid,
Even though you served.
The Clintons really like you,
That’s why I am unnerved.
You seem to be a sissy,
Too light in your old loafers.
I’d say it seems for Bill and Hill,
You’re just one of their gofers.
Retired your stars and that is best,
For you’ve not got a clue.
I’d vote for Sharpton, Gen’ral Clark,
Before I’d vote for you.

Conspiracy Guy 12/17/03

[dixierat22]

reminding the crowd he is not "a professional politician."

He must have served in a different Army than the one I did.

[MizSterious]

Some of them might actually have been Bush supporters, but likely luke-warm if so. When Clark was in Oklahoma, he was very slick. I didn't attend any of his speeches, but they played (and replayed and replayed...!!) soundbites. Those, plus his commercials, might have changed some minds among those who don't bother to do their research. However, it should be noted that not one of the ads or soundbites ever took a definite stand on much of anything--just platitudes that sound real nice. In the case of the ads, very well-done vague platitudes.

[SquirrelKing]

Clark: Blah Blah Blah Blah

America: Zzzzzzz.

[OpusatFR]

100 people? That doesn't even qualify as a campaign event. I can get 100 people to show up when we cook B-B-Q. And I'm not even running....

[bioprof]

100 people? Heck, here in Jersey you get 100 people to watch a guy change his tire.....

[GailA]

He and Breck Girl had 125/150 when they showed their butts in Memphis. Those are die hard party leaders.