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Politics : Wesley Clark -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mephisto who wrote (540)	10/7/2003 3:15:59 PM
From: Hope Praytochange	Respond to of 1414

Iowa Democrats Take Wait - And - See View of Clark By REUTERS Filed at 2:51 p.m. ET FORT DODGE, Iowa (Reuters) - Democratic presidential hopeful Wesley Clark drew interest but few commitments on a two-day campaign swing through Iowa, where many political activists are taking a wait-and-see approach to his candidacy. Clark, a retired general and political newcomer who got in the race three weeks ago, shook some hands, answered some questions and kissed at least one baby during the trip through the state with the first key nominating contest next January. But Iowa Democrats, who have been courted by the party's other White House contenders for more than a year, say they still have plenty of questions for Clark and lots of time to choose between the nine rivals for the nomination. When Clark stopped by a Fort Dodge diner on Tuesday morning to shake hands with the early morning crowd, he was hit with a wave of skepticism along with questions on his stance on Iraq, energy policy and other issues. ``I'm running for president and I'd like your vote,'' he told a table of five retired local men, four of whom were military veterans. ``You'll get my consideration, but it's a little early to decide,'' replied Joe Jackson, a local Democrat and retired farmer who served 12 years as a military fighter pilot. ``Time will tell, won't it?'' was the response from Bruce Shimkat, a Fort Dodge auto dealer and registered Republican, when Clark asked for his support. During two visits to local restaurants to shake hands with diners -- in Fort Dodge on Tuesday and Des Moines on Monday -- and during a 90-minute town hall forum in Fort Dodge, Clark was pumped for specifics on domestic issues, which he has been slow to put forward so far. Clark has jumped into the top tier of candidates in national polls since entering the race, although he is still in back of the leaders in Iowa. After talking to Clark or hearing his presentation, many state Democrats said they would need a lot more information before making a final decision on him. JUST WANT TO BEAT BUSH Several said his background as a four-star general and former NATO commander made him intriguing given the conflict in Iraq and war on terror. Other probable caucus-goers said they were only interested in whether that would make him a stronger candidate against President Bush. ``His military background would be the last reason I'm interested in him,'' said Joe Ingvoldstad of Cedar Rapids, who took his 80-year-old Republican mother on a trip to get a closer look at Clark. ``I'm going to support whoever can beat Bush.'' Clark told Ingvoldstad's mother Helen he was ``not an ideologue'' and could look at both sides of an issue. She said she was impressed but would still probably vote for Bush. ``He's got a firm handshake,'' she said. Others said they liked his direct style and lack of political experience. ``He's not contaminated from being in Washington and Congress for 20 years,'' said Dennis Milefchik, who was undecided but leaning toward Clark after attending the forum in Fort Dodge. In Des Moines, Clark stumbled on a table of Democratic activists who were law students at nearby Drake University. Two said they would likely support Missouri Rep. Richard Gephardt, and student Brent Hinders said Clark's votes for Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon was ``a concern.'' Some Democrats said it would be hard for Clark to make up for his late start in Iowa, where winning campaigns are built on personal contact and organizations that can turn out supporters on a cold January night. ``Of course I'm late,'' Clark told reporters, but added: ``I think I'll win a lot of friends here in Iowa.''