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Dear General Wesley Clark:  I hear you want to lead a nation? I’m sure you woke up one morning, and decided this can’t be much harder than leading a war, right? And, the fact is, the two seem to be alarmingly parallel duties, these days. General, you’re a smart man. You must know that you will need more than your four stars, and stellar career, to be elected president of the United States. You will need something a lot more important these days…political razz-matazz. I hope you’ve got it tucked somewhere up your sleeve. The fact that you are a “Johnny come lately,” could hurt a bit; as the fact that you bear no truckload of political experience. The latter, come to think of it, might actually boost your chances - given the voters’ growing dismay with the direction of American politics. General Clark, people like me find you refreshing. You think and act outside the box, and surprise us with your common sense. In fact, your candidacy has already succeeded in doing one thing quite well: Offering a dash of excitement to this mostly unexciting round-up of democratic presidential aspirants. Not that we don’t have a long list of good and smart people asking for our votes…just nothing new and fresh and, possibly different from what we’ve known. Most importantly… no one to scare the pants off the Republicans before November, 2004. You might actually do that. Because the world now views America as a rogue warmonger, and because it doesn’t seem as if we’ll be out of the Iraqi war any time soon; you, General Clark, may be just the man. Certainly, you would be the smartest choice the Democrats could make, for this particular election. We need someone who understands the intricacies of war, yet someone who knows that sending our sons and daughters to no-man’s land in the face of untold danger, isn’t always the answer. Mr. Clark, you offer authenticity in the one area that George Bush, before 9-11, had no experience and, certainly no authenticity. I can’t imagine George Bush coming out ahead of any debate with you, regarding the war. Even if you were mimicking the rest of the democratic slate, you can say it with such authority. And the American people, God bless our souls, still stand up and pay attention to real authority. Unlike our awe-struck Congressional leaders who remained either silent, or acquiescent on the Iraqi war when we most needed to hear dissenting voices; you, General Clark - for the most part – was wary, from the beginning; and, thank goodness your lone voice said volumes. A four-star general becoming an anti-war spokesman…well, just say I’m duly impressed. You, unlike a large majority of Americans, understand that when we engage in a war that is neither condoned, nor perceived as necessary by the rest of the world; we lose, even when we declare victory. It is important to America, that a man who had led military wars, and dunned a military uniform half of his life, speak with common sense about war – that, sending our children into harm’s way should be the last resort in resolving international conflicts, and protecting us from terrorism…not the first. You have a few other things going for you, Sir, including the fact that you value women’s lives and, their ability to make wise choices about their own bodies and the lives of their unborn children. You understand that part of America’s greatness, is it’s ability to face its past…and, affirmative action is a step toward that. You understand the injustice of a Bush tax-cut policy that continues to reward the rich and punish the poor. And, you see America as a leader in this world of nations – yet, certainly not the only player. Finally, General, the thing I find most refreshing about you is this: You are the first white American over 40, NOT running away from the “L” word. When you announced your candidacy for the presidency on the Bill Maher show, he asked if you, like Governor Dean, sought to ignore or “run away” from the liberal tag. You answered without hesitation, that you were not. Specifically, you pointed out, “America was founded as a liberal democracy.” For a white male, in America today; that takes Guts – something the Democratic party is in dire need of, right about now. Nothing in this presidential race could be more effective than a four-star general in the American army, unraveling the cloak of patriotism
that is smothering this great nation. Reminding the American people that patriotism and liberalism are not inconsistent. They both played important roles in this country’s hard-fought freedom…and, for the people who reside here.
General, you have known battles, and this one will surely be one of your toughest. But, with the right road map, and your keen focus on a better America…there just might be light at the end of this tunnel. Janis F. Kearney is a Chicago writer, former journalist and diarist to President Bill Clinton. A Harvard W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow, she is currently completing William Jefferson Clinton: from Hope to Harlem; and a personal memoir, Cotton Field of Dreams. Kearney Communications 5138 S. Kenwood Ave.#2 Chicago, IL 60615 (773) 493-2007 --ph (773) 493-5747 --fax janisfk@aol.com |
