These men understand. These men are willing to speak
truth to power. They deserve support. They will need
it. This territory is very dangerous.
Associated Press: "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."
Break the Bush Cabal's Strangehold on the "US
Mainstream News Media," Show Up for Democracy in 2004:
Defeat Bush (again!)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/01/17/politics1939EST0605.DTL
Clark suggests questions remain unanswered about Bush's military service
TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer Saturday, January
17, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(01-17) 16:39 PST PEMBROKE, N.H. (AP) --
Wesley Clark suggested Saturday that questions remain
about President Bush'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.
In New Hampshire, his ratings in polls were
increasing, putting him within striking distance of
former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EDITORS NOTE: Associated Press reporter J.M. Hirsch,
in Laconia, N.H., contributed to this report.