"The Oklahoman" (page 15A)
October 12, 2005
by Ryan McNeill Capitol Bureau

STILLWATER -- Former presidential hopeful and retired Gen. Wesley Clark told Payne County Democrats on Thursday their party needs a makeover after 20 years of "negative imaging" by Republicans.

"Democrats have values," he said. "Democrats have faith. Democrats love and serve this country."

At one point in his speech, Clark walked away from the podium and held up a nearby American flag, saying, "This is our flag."

"It does not belong to the Republican Party," he said.

The retired four-star Army general, who served as NATO's supreme allied commander, spoke at Brayfest, an annual Democratic celebration in Payne County.

The Little Rock, Ark., native ran for president in 2004. He won Oklahoma in the presidential primary election.

Clark criticized Repulbicans as "selfish" and said Democrats are the party seeking to promote "the right kind of values."

"We stand for jobs and health care," he said. "Without those, you can't have a family."

Clark often criticized President Bush, saying Bush moves from crisis to crisis with no real plan. Clark said the president has made America disliked abroad and has weakened the nation through the Iraq war.

"Our fighting in Iraq has actually made the terrorist problem worse," he said.

America failed to listen to its allies and has alienated them, Clark said.

"The terrible thing about allies is if you have them, you have to listen to what they say." Clark said. "And if they're democracies, which is what we say we want, you have to listen to the public opinion. You can't just point your finger at them and tell them to get in line or else."