First Person Account: General Clark at Bethany College
September 12, 2006
By Gordon Suber | Clark Community Network
Founded in 1840, Bethany College, a four-year private liberal arts school affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has a long tradition of bringing people from the highest levels of American political discourse to their campus, Sam Vuchenich, the affable campus leader, and head of student activities, told me.
On September 11, 2006, General Wesley K. Clark delivered a lecture to more than 300 students, faculty, and townspeople in Bethany, West Virginia.
Vuchenich related that student organizations wanted to bring someone to campus who could put meaning into the fifth anniversary of 9/11.
It seemed appropriate that Clark, a presidential candidate in 2004, and a retired four-star Army general who served as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, come to Bethany.
After all, John F. Kennedy stood in the same Commencement Hall at Old Main on campus where Clark spoke, as did Richard M. Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, and James Garfield, before they became President of the United States.
After Clark completed his talk, Bethany College President G.T. “Buck” Smith explained to Clark and the audience that Kennedy, Nixon, Johnson and Ford had all visited the campus within two years of their becoming president.
He mentioned that bronze plaques were in the foyer of the hall, commemorating each of their appearances. "We will put one up for you," if the occasion arises, Smith said to enthusiastic applause.
General Clark began his talk with an explanation of why the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in late 1979, and withdrew some 10 years later.
He went on to explain that when the Soviet Union disintegrated in the late 1980s, America lost its foreign policy strategy. The Cold War that began at the end of World War II was finally over.
He recalled experiences during his days at the Pentagon in the 1990s when America was developing its new international strategy. “We knew Osama bin Laden was our number one threat.”
Looking to the future, "I fear for the worst in Afghanistan," Clark said. He suggested that Iraq had been opened for a free-for-all and that the current war on terrorism "is not a replay of World War II."
He concluded with his plan to win the war in Iraq, before telling the students that China would be America's real challenge "in your lifetimes."
After the lecture came questions and answers. I guess people across America will not let the matter of the presidency rest, even though The General made it clear in his opening remarks that the political state of our Union was not a matter for discussion on this occasion.
"Are you going to run for president in 2008," a senior citizen asked. "I am for you! The audience erupted in sustained applause.
Clark explained that he was concerned with the elections of 2006. However, that did not seem to interest the audience as much as his potential political career.
"I got into the political process, even though I did not intend to. Most people who run for high political office either have a lot of (personal) money or hold political office, which allows them to raise money.” Clark said he had neither.
"Why don't you run for governor of Arkansas and then for president?" another asked.
Clark answered that he had been approached to be a candidate for governor of Arkansas in 2002. He explained that his interest is in international affairs, the military, national security, and dealing with the big picture.
“Think of me as a doctor of (military) strategy,” he opined.
The formal part of the evening was over. Clark's commitment completed. But not so fast.
Vuchenich and his cadre of student leaders invited everyone to a reception. Trays of scrumptious desserts, ample fresh fruit, and non-alcoholic punch were elegantly displayed. For another hour and a quarter, Wes Clark talked with the students about democracy, liberty and the state of the American experience. It was a history and civics lesson wrapped around the personal experiences of one of America’s preeminent foreign affairs experts.
And yes, the presidency seemed ever present.
Standing afar, I heard Clark say, "Every president wants more power.”
With that, the five-man Bethany Police Department escort walked The General to his car.
