Wesley Clark's speech on Thursday at the Democratic convention was understandably overshadowed by John Kerry's. But it was a good speech, and I think it's worth quoting a few passages.
Clark began by offering applause and a moment of silence for American servicepeople. Then he focused on the realities of war and proceeded to challenge the partisan brand of patriotism that Bush and Cheney and the Republicans promote:
War. War. I've been there. So has John Kerry. I've heard the thump of enemy mortars. I've seen the tracers fly. Bled on the battlefield. Recovered in hospitals. Received and obeyed orders. Sent men and women into battle. Awarded medals, comforted families, attended funerals.
And this soldier has news for you tonight. Anyone who tells you that one political party has a monopoly on the best defense of our nation is committing a fraud on the American people.
Franklin Roosevelt said it best. Franklin Roosevelt said: "Repetition does not transform a lie into the truth."
This hall, this Democratic Party are filled with veterans who have served under the American flag. And this is our flag. Right there, that flag, we saluted this flag. We rose up in the morning and stood reveille to this flag. We fought for that flag. We've seen brave men and women buried under that flag. That flag is ours, and nobody, nobody will take it away from us.
Clark reminded the delegates and the viewers that there are serious problems in the national security strategy of Bush and Cheney:
The safety of our country demands urgent and innovative measures to strengthen our armed forces. The safety of our country demands credible intelligence. The safety of our country demands cooperation with our allies. The safety of our country demands making more friends and fewer enemies.
The safety of our country demands an end to the doctrinaire, ineffective policies that currently grip Washington.
Enough is enough.
Clark, also a Vietnam War veteran, recalled Kerry's wartime career and postwar protests:
John Kerry fought a war, and I respect him for that. And he came home to fight a peace. And I respect him for that, too. ...
John Kerry is a man who in time of war can lead us as a warrior, but in times of peace, he will heed the call of scripture to lead us in beating swords into plowshares.
Clark's use of the Bible is not a rhetorical flourish. Clark grew up as a Protestant Christian but converted to Catholicism. Like Kerry, Clark doesn't wear his religion on his sleeve. But it sounds like he takes his religious faith very seriously.
6 comments:
I haven't seen all of Wesley Clark's speech yet (I'll have to watch it online) but from all reporst, he was awesome! My husband (who is out of town on business this week) tells me that he wanted to vote for Clark after seeing him speak. Barring that, maybe we're looking at the next Sec of Defense?
There ought to be more like Gen. Clark who can display their religion without slamming someone upside the head with it. If you know where I can catch his speech online, please pass it my way!
Here's a place you can watch
http://www.c-span.org/videoarchives.asp?CatCodePairs=Special_Topic,DEMS&ArchiveDays=100
(Second link from the bottom of the page)
Clark is an intelligent man. Nice to have him on our side. I'm sure there's a cabinet position awaiting him after the elections. :) Sec of Defense mayhaps??
Secretary of Defense would be an excellent role for Clark. I hope we see that come next January. - Bruce
I thought Clark was the best of the Democratic nominiees, and I think he would have made the strongest running mate for John Kerry. Now I think that even more after seeing his convention speech.
Post a Comment