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Politics : WHO IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2004 -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Raymond Duray who wrote (4245)	8/24/2003 11:30:41 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 10965

Growing opposition to Bush re-election _______________________________________________ Julian Borger in Washington Monday August 25, 2003 The Guardian For the first time, more Americans say they would oppose President George Bush's re-election in 2004 than support a second term, according to a poll published yesterday that showed mounting pessimism over the US military presence in Iraq. As attacks on coalition forces continue to inflict casualties, a Newsweek poll found that the human and economic costs of occupation were eroding the president's support at an accelerating rate. Sixty-nine per cent of those asked were concerned that the US would be bogged down for many years in Iraq with little to show for it in improved security for Americans; 49% said they were very concerned. At the same time Mr Bush's approval rating dropped to 53%, down 18% since April, and his lowest rating since before the September 11 attacks turned him from the victor of a disputed election presiding over a worsening economy into a wartime leader. But the most jarring statistic for the White House looked forward to the 2004 election. Some 49% of Americans questioned in yesterday's poll said they did not want him re-elected, against only 44% prepared to give him a second term. The corresponding figures in April were 52% backing re-election with 38% opposed. The change over four months represents a serious haemorrhage in support, reflecting a combination of long-term but spreading disenchantment with the president's economic stewardship and new doubts over where he is taking the country in his open-ended "war on terror". In April, 74% of the country supported his handling of the situation in Iraq. Yesterday that figure was 54%. Americans are split between those who believe the administration's line that the invasion has undermined terrorist groups such as al-Qaida (45%) and those who think the opposite - that it has inspired a new generation of Islamist radicals to take up arms against America and its allies. Despite the increasing doubts over how US troops can be extricated, a significant majority of Americans, 61%, still believe the invasion of Iraq was justified, and a slightly smaller majority would support the maintenance of a significant occupation force for up to two years. The impact of the Iraq occupation on Mr Bush's standing has encouraged Democrats who, voters said yesterday, had the best approach to stimulating the economy and handling domestic issues such as health and education, a reversal since the beginning of the year. Nine presidential contenders have joined the Democratic primary contest, with a 10th likely soon - General Wesley Clark, a former Nato commander. guardian.co.uk

To: Raymond Duray who wrote (4245)	8/24/2003 11:42:17 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 10965

wesleyclarkweblog.com TV Alerts for Monday, August 25: 1. Draft Wesley Clark press conference regarding a Zogby Poll commissioned to explore a Clark candidacy at 1PM ET on C-SPAN. You know it has to be good news if they're throwing a press conference. 2. Buchanan and Press at 6PM ET on MSNBC.

To: Raymond Duray who wrote (4245)	8/24/2003 11:47:57 PM
From: stockman_scott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10965

Democrats eager to draft American war hero _____________________________________ NICHOLAS CHRISTIAN Sun 24 Aug 2003 scotlandonsunday.com A CAMPAIGN has been launched to persuade one of America’s top generals to take on President George W Bush in next year’s US elections. Wesley Clark, the former supreme commander of Nato who was awarded the Purple Heart medal for bravery in Vietnam, has said he will only stand as a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination if he is "drafted" by the American people. And yesterday his supporters were holding a "rally for America" in a bid to convince him. At the newly opened Draft Clark 2004 headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas, the phones ring non-stop with people calling to volunteer. So far 8,000 have joined up and more than £300,000 has been pledged to fund a campaign that has not even been officially declared. Clark has said he will make a decision soon, possibly on Labour Day, in time to take part in a debate between the current Democrat contenders on September 4. Analysts are confident he will run despite rumours that his wife is reluctant to become part of a political family. Clark recently gave up a lucrative contract as a military analyst for CNN, which is seen as a sure sign he is preparing a bid for office. The Little Rock rally is near the Clinton Presidential Library site and the Clark campaign has already attracted a number of ex-Clinton staffers, including Jeff Dailey. "General Clark has what it takes to ask Bush the tough questions, to really give Democrats a strong edge," said Dailey, who joined the Clark bandwagon after hearing him speak. "He is the kind of leader we need to deal with international and national issues. We are pushing forward and plan to present General Clark with the petitions." Dailey, the son of Little Rock’s mayor, created Arkansans for Clark, an online petition for Clark supporters that will aid in setting up committees in all 75 of the state’s counties. That group is working in tandem with the Draft Clark 2004 movement, which is now in 42 states with around 98 chapters. Born in Chicago, Clark grew up in Little Rock after his widowed mother returned to her home town. He lived in Arkansas until he graduated from high school and returned in 2001 after a glittering military career. Clark graduated first in his class at West Point. From there, he studied as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University and holds an Oxford master’s degree in philosophy, politics and economics. He has received numerous US and foreign military awards, including the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart from his days in Vietnam. He has received honorary Knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments and was made a commander of the French Legion of Honour. In 2000, Clark was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour. Despite the intense focus on Clark, he has not even declared which party he supports and is coy when asked. Most of his close associates insist he is a Democrat because he regularly criticises Bush. He recently said of Iraq: "We found a situation that wasn’t at all what was predicted. We’re in there now, we’re committed, we need to do our best. "But that’s a classic presidential-level misjudgment. And I think the voters have to be aware of that. And they have to appreciate it." Clark also backs pro-affirmative action for ethnic minorities and pro-choice on abortion. He is against drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge and sits on the board of Wavecrest Laboratories, a Virginia based technology company that has developed a breakthrough electric propulsion system that transforms electrical energy into mechanical motion. Since leaving Nato, Clark has appeared regularly as a military analyst on CNN, worked for Little Rock’s Stephens Inc, the largest stockbrokers in the US off Wall Street and travelled the world attending conferences and accepting awards. He also launched his own web site - www.leadershipforamerica.org - for Americans to talk about critical issues, which serves as the perfect outlet to create a platform and gain media exposure. Clark offers Democrats a rare chance to have more credibility on the military than the Republicans, even against a sitting president who has taken the country into two wars. The general’s critics say he should forgo the games about party affiliation and make a decision. They also say he should have jumped into the race months ago, and it is too late now. But supporters point to Clinton’s 1992 campaign when the then-Arkansas governor entered the race in October. In fact, some political insiders say that Clark could wait until then because of the intense media focus on the California recall race at the moment.