S.C. veterans watch Clark's candidacy

[onehandle]

GREENVILLE, South Carolina (AP) -- Wesley Clark's status as a former four-star Army general has piqued the interest of some military veterans in this key primary state, but that doesn't mean the Democratic presidential hopeful will automatically get their vote.

"It's a wide, wide open race. I like Clark fairly well, but I feel I don't know enough about him," said Terry Kelly, a Vietnam veteran who says he is an independent voter.

Clark has been spending more time in South Carolina and said he intends to pay more attention to intrigued voters such as Kelly one of 420,000 veterans in a state that holds the South's first Democratic presidential primary February 3.

During a recent campaign stop, Clark talked about his pride in being a veteran. "I'm going to reach out to veterans' organizations through local communities, through the media and with my hand outstretched to thank 'em," Clark said after addressing a standing-room-only crowd at the University of South Carolina's law school.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/11/11/elec04.prez.clark.veterans.ap/index.html

[GainesT1958]

1. Hope it doesn't sound stereotypical to say it, but...

I really do think that vets are going to be Gen. Clark's best way to spread the good word about him, especially face-to-face (though their work on-line is already paying off big-time, too!). They will, litterally, be his "foot-soldiers" in so many places (and for some, that'll be the second time around!:D ). Vets will be key to his success even in states that don't have large military installations, but especially in those that do--like S.C..

B-)

[Donna Zen]

2. May your thought come true.

Lately, I've been sensing that we are being given an opportunity to frog march bush back to Waco, and we are about to blow it. Big time! Running a candidate without national security credentials is political suicide.

Yesterday, an evangelical Christian who normally votes repub, stood up at a veterans forum with Clark and testified: Clark is the one.

[FrenchieCat]

4. That's what my husband said.

My husband is somewhat conservative (didn't know that when I married him). He said that if the Democrats didn't win considering what George Bush has done to this country, and the stellar opportunity that we have in a candidate like General Wes Clark....... then we will deserve what we get.

So sad, but true.

[davidinalameda]

3. and vets have ready made organizations

like the American Legion and the VFW--even though they traditionally support Repukes, I believe that Clark can make a dent in that support

much more than any of the other candidates