Clark Wants To Avoid '04 Mistake In '08

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP)  -- Wesley Clark said Tuesday he wants to avoid waiting too late to make a decision on whether to run for president -- a mistake he made in his failed 2004 bid.

"I think it was clear that I got in too late last time," the retired general and former NATO commander told The Associated Press in an interview.

Clark announced his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in September 2003, just four months before the first votes were cast. He dropped out of the race the following February, with his only victory in 14 caucuses and primaries coming in Oklahoma.

Clark is considering running again, but he said the late start was one of the mistakes he learned from his last attempt.

"(There was) an inability to create a staff in a timely fashion," Clark said. "I didn't have a campaign manager until the end of November. I had no money. I had no strategy when I started. It was my only faith-based initiative.... It's one of several mistakes that if I were to run that I would hope I wouldn't repeat."

Clark said one factor that has changed is the number of candidates who have announced their intentions or have formed exploratory campaigns for president this early.

"There's no doubt it's moved earlier," Clark said. "Some people have never stopped running.... It's just a factor that has to be considered."

Clark says he believes his military background has special resonance during this campaign because of the national security issues that face the country, including the war in Iraq.

"I think that it's more clear than ever before that the country is an era of profound national security challenges," Clark said.

Clark said Iraq will be a focus of the 2008 campaign. He disagreed with suggestions by some members of Congress that more U.S. troops should be sent to help stabilize Iraq. Neither would he begin reducing U.S. forces in Iraq within the next six months, as others have suggested.

"It's not a matter of fiddling with troop levels," Clark said. "It's a matter of politics inside Iraq and diplomacy in the region. ... You can lose what's going on militarily inside Iraq, but you can't win it militarily, either by putting more forces in or by pulling them out."

Clark was a popular surrogate on the campaign trail during the midterm elections and has visited New Hampshire in the past month.

He said he hasn't set a deadline for making a decision on the presidential race.

"I don't deal with timelines," Clark said. "For me, it's talking to people and working separate related issues."

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Comments

Where I Stand For '08 (drmontoya - 11/28/2006 8:30:48 PM)

Clark in 08 (vadem - 11/28/2006 8:54:38 PM)

Wes Clark is nothing if not a quick study (and of course, he's so much more than that!).  He has taken the last two years to work for Democrats, beginning with Kerry, then 86 other Dems during this mid-term campaign.  He's ready for this campaign. 

He needs money, lots of money (Catzmaw - 11/28/2006 9:26:18 PM)

He gave away more money than any other potential Presidential candidate.  He needs to announce soon because he's at a serious disadvantage financially.

Clark gave a lot away (drmontoya - 11/28/2006 9:37:22 PM)

But that makes him better, he just didn't talk about 2006 being important like other '08 contenders. He put all his energy in winning a Democratic majority.

Clark = Character

That's the kind of President I want.

Agree completely (Catzmaw - 11/28/2006 10:25:12 PM)

Clark's actions for Webb and other candidates were unselfish.  I was very much impressed by his willingness to give until it hurt so the Blue takeover of Congress and the Senate could happen.  This tells me he sees the big picture, knows what needs to be done, and is willing to sacrifice to achieve it.  That's a very disciplined and unpolitical approach.  Clark intrigues me the way Webb intrigued me, and I look forward to learning more about him and his possible candidacy.  He's articulate, intelligent, and a real potential sleeper candidate. 

Hoping Virginia Is Clark Country (drmontoya - 11/28/2006 10:27:56 PM)

Especially now that Mark Warner is out. Damn you Mark!

Do one with Clark / Warner (totallynext - 12/1/2006 10:58:00 AM)

Webb for Senate = Clark for President (cycle12 - 11/28/2006 9:45:48 PM)

Back in the early days of the Jim Webb campaign, it was Wes Clark's endorsement of Webb in late March that tipped the balance for me and resulted in my public support and written endorsement of Webb only three days later.

I have been an enthusiastic supporter of Jim Webb ever since, and that same enthusiasm would easily transfer to again supporting Wes Clark for President in 2008, just as I did in 2004.

Is there a "Draft Clark for President in 2008" movement currently in effect?  If so, where do I sign up?

Thanks!

Steve

Clark/Webb (drmontoya - 11/28/2006 9:58:07 PM)

Yes, I wouldn't be surprised either to see Jim Webb endorse a fellow 1968 Academy Grad (different schools) Wes Clark.

for more info on Clark, visit Securing America PAC

He'll declare. It won't be a draft. (vadem - 11/29/2006 12:39:21 AM)

Clark did the Draft thing last time.  If he decides to run for President in 2008, it will be a full fledged, declared candidacy.  So, while there is an online petition running around on the internet, if you're interested or think you will be, just sign up by emailing dburroughs@securingamerica.com.  I'll be sure to sign you up for the Virginia for Clark group.

Will do! (cycle12 - 11/29/2006 9:05:09 AM)

Thanks!

Steve

Done before he started (demo925 - 11/29/2006 5:35:22 PM)

Clark was a huge help out on the campaign trail for Dems all over the country.  He certainly gives great credibility to our Party and we should thank him greatly for his service.  I'll say thought that his chances of success for a presidential run as next to no chance of winning.

Hmmmm...those are almost the identical odds... (cycle12 - 11/30/2006 2:10:36 AM)

...given to Jim Webb by Steve Jarding in December of last year.

Clark for President '08!

Steve

Clark was on C-Span this morning (Catzmaw - 11/30/2006 9:22:50 AM)

talking about Iraq and his analysis of the situation and taking calls.

C-Span usually reruns these things later in the day and at night.  He's very articulate.

DRMontoya, Clark's not yet committed to running (Catzmaw - 11/30/2006 9:31:51 AM)

I just heard General Clark say he hasn't made up his mind about running for President.  He says he enjoyed the campaign last time, but his focus right now is on Iraq and trying to do something about that.  He sounds unsure about whether or not he should run. One thing's for sure; he'd make a hell of a Secretary of State if he doesn't do the Presidential thing.

Thanks, "DRMontoya" and "Catzmaw"... (cycle12 - 11/30/2006 9:58:36 AM)

We'll be watching!

Steve