A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics
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A Weblog of Centrist Voices in American Politics | |
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September 24, 2003Clark on American Patriotism"I'm promoting a New American Patriotism – because it is vital to the life and health of this country that we criticize our leaders fairly – but freely. Some ask: How can you criticize the President at a time of war? I answer: “How can you not?” Eighteen months ago, Mr. Bush said in his State of the Union Address: "My economic security plan can be summed up in one word: "jobs." We can now sum it up in one word: “failure.” We cannot afford failure. We can’t be forced to accept failure just because we’re at war. In fact, we cannot tolerate failure precisely because we are at war. I am not making a partisan comment. The chance to earn a living is not a partisan issue. Yet when we point out the facts, they will call us unpatriotic; or they will call us left-wing liberals – even though I have been non-partisan my whole professional life. I don’t oppose the President’s policies because they are Republican policies. I oppose them because they don’t work. If they worked, I wouldn’t be here. If he admitted they didn’t work and changed them, I wouldn’t be here. But the President won’t change his policies, so we have to change the President." Posted by Erasmus at September 24, 2003 05:55 PMComments
Wow. A helluva statement. I have to say during these early days of the Clark candidacy I find myself alternating between real hope and concern. I've definitely gotten the sense listening to his statements and interviews that he's "the real deal" -- one of those rare people with presidential stature. On the other hand, it looks to me like he's not yet on firm footing regarding his policies and positions on the issues. I wasn't that impressed with his economic policy speech, and he ran into real trouble even on his strong suit -- foreign policy. So I feel both of those things -- concern and hope. I think it's *very* important that we put someone new in the White House in 2004. And I suspect we *would* if only the Democrats offer a solid, credible alternative. It's seemed increasingly unlikely that they would do so. More than anything, Clark needs a *really* good, tough, seasoned advisor. Someone to help him develop a clear and consistent message. If he gets that, he could go all the way. Posted by: William Swann at September 25, 2003 09:43 AM |
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