from the Clark Blog
http://clark04.com
Here's what leading Democrats have said about Wes Clark's ideas . . .
Here's what leading Democrats have said about Wes Clark's ideas . . .
On Jobs
"For as long as I've been in Congress, I've fought against the idea that the way to create jobs is to give large tax cuts to the rich. Democrats believe that you create jobs and opportunity by making the tax code fairer and investing in people. Democrats understand that a booming stock market and large corporate profits aren't good enough so long as working people can't find jobs. Wes Clark's Job Creation Plan--which calls for investments in homeland security, state fiscal, and tax credits targeted to job creation relief--is the right way to create opportunity for all. That's why I am working with Wes Clark to put Americans back to work."
- Charles Rangel
U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat, New York
"America's working families are bearing the brunt of President Bush's failed economic strategy. Too many families are feeling the strain. For the last three years, they've been working harder and getting less. Parents are working two and three jobs and longer hours than ever before, and still family incomes are down while bills and debt are up. We need a leader who will look out for working families, focus on job creation, and reform our tax system so that it is fair for all Americans. I believe that Wes Clark is that kind of leader. That's why I'm working with him on his job creation plan and that's why I'm supporting him to be the Democratic nominee for President."
- Charlie Gonzales
U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat, Texas
On the Economy
"Wes Clark's tax plan would ease the burden on hard working American families. The theme of the Bush tax code is different: With the help of their accountants and lawyers, the special interests win subsidies, shelters and loopholes, while middle-class families are buried under a crushing tax burden and piles of complicated IRS forms. Democrats need to become the party of tax reform and make President Bush own the cumbersome and regressive tax code he has created."
- Rahm Emanuel
U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat, Illinois
"President Clinton demonstrated that fiscal responsibility is a core Democratic value. A credible deficit reduction plan that restored fiscal responsibility was the foundation for the strong growth and healthy job creation the American economy enjoyed under President Clinton's democratic leadership. During the 1990s, a Democratic President supported by Democratic Congressional leaders proved that it is possible to invest in key Democratic priorities like education and health care while restoring balance to the federal budget. Was Clark's "Saving for America's Future" plan shows his serious commitment to this Democratic tradition--a tradition that is vital to the health of the American economy."
- Laura Tyson
White House National Economic Advisor, 1995-97
On Health Care
"Health care in this country is more expensive than ever. The number of uninsured Americans has steadily climbed since 2000. There are 12 million more uninsured today than 10 years ago. The situation is getting worse each day. The lack of health insurance in the United States not only reduces our nation's health but drains our economy. We need a leader who will make significant strides toward making health care more accessible and health insurance more affordable for everyone. That's why I support Wes Clark - I think he will bring real leadership to this issue and to Washington."
- David Pryor
U.S. Senate, Democrat, Arkansas, 1979-96
On Education
"Wes Clark understands that opportunity starts with education. It has been fifty years since the landmark Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education, and still far too many of our children are learning in schools that are under-funded and over-extended. Instead of helping under-funded school districts meet their needs, President Bush has pursued tax cuts and economic policies that hurt working families and add to the states' fiscal crunch. States facing fiscal crises have cut funding for schools and forced school districts to make difficult cuts, including staff, after-school and athletic programs, and school renovation and modernization. We need a leader who will follow through on the commitments we've made to our children. That's why I've worked with Wes Clark on developing these positions. We need a strong Democratic leader in the White House."
- Jim Hodges
Governor, South Carolina, 1999-2002
On Urban Issues
"Wes Clark understands that our cities and towns are the center of opportunity He understands that we must make choices with public funds that help cities flourish and address the state and local fiscal crisis that has forced local governments to make tough choices. Cities and towns are up to the challenge of providing opportunity but they need smart investments from the federal government to help. The good news is we know what works. We just need real leadership to do it. I think Wes Clark will be a leader for cities and towns and the people who live in them. He is the right choice for the Democratic nomination."
- Michael B. Coleman
Mayor, Columbus, Ohio, Democrat
On Rural Issues
"During the economic boom of the 1990s, many of America's rural communities didn't enjoy the same prosperity and growth as our cities and suburbs. And now, with the whole country enduring an economic downturn, the situation in rural areas has gotten even worse. Now is the time to turn the country-and the heartland-around. I am working with Wes Clark because I know he will fight for America's family farmers and ranchers, jumpstart the rural economy and provide access to quality healthcare and education to all Americans in rural communities."
- Senator Max Baucus
U.S. Senate, Democrat, Montana
On Poverty
"In the wealthiest country in the world, many of our families are struggling to make ends meet. As Democrats, the time for us to be timid or silent about this problem is over. Under President Bush 3 million Americans have slipped into poverty, including half a million children. As a result 12.1 percent of the population lives in poverty. That is unacceptable. We've got to pursue strategies to reduce poverty and create opportunity. Wes Clark will pursue those strategies. That's why I've worked with Wes Clark to create a strong anti-poverty agenda."
- Marion Berry
U.S. House of Representatives, Democrat, Arkansas
On the Environment
"I have been impressed by the passion Wes Clark has for America's natural resources - our air and water, seacoasts, mountains, wetlands, forests, prairies, and wilderness. Wes sincerely believes that our environment must be cherished and protected. Wes's priorities, like mine, stress the importance that a clean and safe environment is not an option, but a necessity. As with all true Democrats, Wes Clark will always hold to the principle that our environment is an indelible part of our future that should never be sacrificed for the short-term gain of special interests.
"I am proud to have worked with Wes to develop his progressive environmental policy. Be assured that Wes Clark will not only reverse the disgraceful Bush environmental record, but will bring a higher standard of leadership to addressing America's most pressing priorities."
- Gaylord Nelson
U.S. Senator, Wisconsin, 1963-1980
On National Security
"Wes Clark bases his foreign policy on the multilateral principles that have guided Democratic residents from Woodrow Wilson to Franklin Delano Roosevelt to John F .Kennedy to Bill Clinton. He recognizes that working with the rest of the world as a partner is the best way to defeat the threats of global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and to promote democracy, human rights and economic opportunity around the world. Wes Clark believes that the United States must lead by working together with its friends and allies. And he's done it - leading a coalition of 19 NATO allies to win the war in Kosovo, rescuing over a million Kosovars from ethnic cleansing without a single allied casualty. This is the type of principled leadership that Wes Clark will show as President."
- James P. Rubin
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 1997-2000
On Corporate Responsibility
"The corporate scandals of the last two years have shown us that we need to bring a new standard of openness to government and to business. I believe Wes Clark will play it straight with the American people. The Bush administration has put the fox in charge of the hen house time and again, placing former industry advocates in charge of the very government organizations that should be policing them. We have seen the results of such cronyism: the average working American loses, the average retiree loses, the environment loses, the average investor loses. We need a leader who will stand up for our interests and not the special interests. I think Wes Clark is that leader."
- Sherron Watkins
Enron Whistleblower
On Labor
"American men and women are working harder than ever, for less. We need a leader who will stand up for hard working Americans. I think Wes Clark has the conviction and the integrity to be that kind of leader. I know he will stick by working families. That's why I am working with him."
- George McGovern
U.S. Senator, Democrat, South Dakota, 1963-1980
On People with Disabilities
"Why do I support Wes Clark? I support Wes Clark because he understands that the independence and choices of Americans with disabilities are rights not privileges, that these advances have been bitterly opposed, and our common progress has been hard-won.
"As a man of action, I know that Wes Clark will not allow an activist judiciary to undo American history and undermine the federal government's power to preserve these protections.
"In every struggle for independence, there is a point of challenge. At every point of challenge, there must be a leader of conviction. We rely on our convictions to see us through to victory. I have seen the convictions that drive Wes Clark. That's why I am proud to support him."
- David Paterson
New York State Senator, Minority Leader, Democrat
On Civil Rights
"I am proud to have been a part of the struggle to get the right to vote. Now, as much as ever, we have to protect that right and other precious civil rights. We need a leader like Wes Clark. I've known many men of stature and many great leaders. I believe that Wes Clark is the kind of leader we need to lead us into the 21st century a safe and secure America. That's why I've worked with Wes Clark to create a strong civil rights agenda. We need a strong Democratic leader in the White House."
- Andrew Young
U.S. House of Representatives, Democat, Georgia, 1973-77; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, 1977-79; Mayor of Atlanta, 1981-1988
"I've never endorsed a presidential candidate before, but when I talk to General Clark, and when I listen to him, I can see him as a president for all Americans. We need a leader who will protect our most fundamental rights, especially our right to vote. The 2000 election exposed some of the serious problems with our voting systems - it is a shame that many of these problems haven't been fixed. We need real leadership to ensure that all votes are counted. That's why I'm working with Wes Clark to pass real election reform."
- Mary Francis Berry
Chair, U.S. Civil Rights Commission
"Wes Clark has a clear and consistent record of commitment to our community and he has the vision and plan to attain his progressive goals. His experience in the Armed Forces, where he fought hard to recruit and provide advancement opportunities for Hispanics proves that he is the leader we want in the White House. He worked closely with Hispanics throughout his thirty-four year career in the Army. He stood for the rights and benefits of Hispanic families in the armed forces by providing excellent health care, education and housing. He understands the sacrifices that have been made by our Hispanic men and women in the armed forces and he believes that we must acknowledge and honor them for their contributions to our country and our freedom. He lived in Latin America, learned Spanish and worked with key leaders in Latin America to improve US-Latin American relations. And he is the proud grandfather to Pablo Clark Oviedo-- The future of his family like the future of our nation is inextricably linked with the future of our community. Wes Clark's commitment to the Hispanic community is clear."
- Edward L. Romero
U.S. Ambassador to Spain, 19998-2000
"I believe the most important principle a President must have in their dealings with Indian tribes is the understanding and commitment to the sovereignty of the tribal nations and the culture of Indian people. From my conversations with General Clark, I know he fully understands the government-to-government relationship that exists and he deeply understands the critical needs in Indian Country for improved education, housing and health care. General Clark also knows the invaluable contributions and sacrifice by Indian people who have served so honorably in America's armed forces. I know a Clark Administration would work on a government-to-government basis to improve quality of life in Indian Country. That is why I am so proud and honored to endorse his candidacy for President.
- Dale E. Kildee
U.S. House of Representatives, Co-Chair and Founder, Congressional Native American Caucus, Democrat, Michigan
"Now, more than ever, we need a leader who will fight for real family values: jobs, education, health care, environment, and equality. Wes Clark strongly believes that all Americans should have full rights under the law."
- Jim Roth
County Commissioner, Democrat, Oklahoma County
"I support Wes Clark because he unequivocally supports women's full reproductive rights, including access to legal abortion without intervention. His clear position underlies his vision of public policy that acknowledges women's pivotal role in the stability and security of our families, economy and nation.
"For Wes Clark, equal pay and economic opportunity, tax fairness, and family leave are all initiatives designed to ensure that a democracy's institutions reflect how we value women. And when the path is cleared so women may make their best contribution at work and at home, they will become a powerful engine for economic development.
"Wes Clark knows that when women are safe; when women earn fair, family-supporting wages with expectations of a secure retirement; then families will be healthier, communities stronger and this nation will prosper. That's the vision I have for my granddaughters; that's why we must ensure that Wes Clark becomes the next president of the United States."
- Barbara Lawton
Lieutenant Governor, Democrat, Wisconsin