A General’s Campaign

The entry of Wesley Clark into the Democratic race was interesting. Here was a highly decorated general, running for president in time of war. War and peace has not been the Democrats’ strong suit, to put it mildly, since about JFK. Surely General Clark would have worthwhile things to say, operating in a party sorely in need of clearer thinking on the war—and clearer, more rational opposition to President Bush. Remarkably, the general has proved just about the most irresponsible candidate of the bunch. He has been flaky, extreme, and—although this is a heavy charge to make against such a man—short on honor.

His campaign began with a bang. He told an enthusiastic audience, “We are going to ask, ‘Why are we engaged in Iraq, Mr. President? Tell the truth! Why, Mr. President? Was it because Saddam Hussein was assisting the hijackers? Was it because Saddam Hussein had a nuclear weapon that might bring a nuclear cloud?’” Of course, Bush had stated many, many times his reasons for war. You might have scorned these reasons, but he undoubtedly had them. And as Clark was asking why we had entered Iraq, his audience shouted out, “Oil!” Then “Halliburton!” And the general responded, “We don’t know. And that’s the truth. And we have to ask that question.”

About the Author

Jay Nordlinger

Jay Nordlinger was a senior editor of National Review and a book fellow at National Review Institute.

Featured Tags

Manage following

Presidential Election

The entry of Wesley Clark into the Democratic race was interesting. Here was a highly decorated general, running for president in time of war. War and peace has not been the Democrats’ strong suit, to put it mildly, since about JFK. Surely General Clark would have worthwhile things to say, operating in a party sorely in need of clearer thinking on the war—and clearer, more rational opposition to President Bush. Remarkably, the general has proved just about the most irresponsible candidate of the bunch. He has been flaky, extreme, and—although this is a heavy charge to make against such a man—short on honor.

His campaign began with a bang. He told an enthusiastic audience, “We are going to ask, ‘Why are we engaged in Iraq, Mr. President? Tell the truth! Why, Mr. President? Was it because Saddam Hussein was assisting the hijackers? Was it because Saddam Hussein had a nuclear weapon that might bring a nuclear cloud?’” Of course, Bush had stated many, many times his reasons for war. You might have scorned these reasons, but he undoubtedly had them. And as Clark was asking why we had entered Iraq, his audience shouted out, “Oil!” Then “Halliburton!” And the general responded, “We don’t know. And that’s the truth. And we have to ask that question.”