Clark Goes For Clinton

Retired General Wesley Clark, himself a presidential candidate in 2004, has announced his endorsement of Senator Hillary Clinton in 2008.

“The world has reached a critical point, and we need a leader in the White House with the courage, intelligence and humility to navigate through many troubling challenges to our security at home and abroad. I believe Senator Clinton is that leader, and I whole-heartedly endorse her for President of the United States,” General Clark said. “Our economic and national security has become more complicated than ever before, and we deserve a leader who draws on wisdom, compassion, intelligence and moral courage -- in short, we need Hillary Clinton. She is tough but fair, a rock-solid leader equal to the many weighty challenges ahead of us."

The Clinton campaign release goes on to note Clark's various achievements, both in the military and as an author, and includes a quote from Clinton enthusiastically accepting his support.

"I am deeply admiring of General Clark’s record of leadership for our country and his appreciation of the complexity of the world in which we live today,” Clinton said. “I’m looking forward to his involvement in my campaign and working together to bring the change this country needs.”

There was a moment earlier this year where it seemed Clark had made his endorsement a toxic one, especially to a more moderate Democrat like Clinton. In a [January interview](/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=9429994) with Arianna Huffington, Clark tacked to the far, far left and more than implied that it was the Jews that were driving President Bush's Iran policy, and that they were set to force us to war with that nation. Quote:

"You just have to read what's in the Israeli press. The Jewish community is divided but there is so much pressure being channeled from the New York money people to the office seekers."

Huffington's full report is [here]. The comment so shocked her that she felt it necessary to remind Clark that he was on the record, and he indicated that he understood.

Clark worked to apologize for the comments, and prominent Jewish leaders gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was not an anti-Semite, though Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League did call Clark's remarks "very, very unfortunate." More [here].

For more New York political coverage visit [City Hall News].