General Wesley Clark on The Young Turks and Air America

August 1, 2007
transcript by Reg NYC

Cenk Uygur: Young Turks, Cenk and Ben with you. Now joining us former Supreme Allied Commander and Presidential candidate, General Wesley Clark, former Presidential candidate (laughs), General Wesley Clark. General Clark, thanks for joining us again on The Young Turks.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: It's good to be with you.

Cenk Uygur: General Clark, we have breaking news that we'd like to share with you and get your reaction on. We just found out that the main Sunni block has quit the Iraqi government, and we know yesterday that Michael Mullen, the new Joint Chiefs of Staff nominee said that if there is no political progress - and so far that there is no political progress - that no amount of troops and no amount of time will make much of a difference. Is this Sunni block withdrawing a big blow to our efforts in Iraq?

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I think it's a tactical blow. This is all part of the game of each side gaining what it can from the current position. That's why I believe it's important that the United States take strong measures to initiate a pullback of troops, that we deal with the countries in the region, and then that we slowly proceed to withdraw these forces. Because as long as we're there, we're supporting these kinds of antics.

General Wesley Clark on WPHT(1210AM)'s The Big Talker Morning Show

July 30, 2007 | transcript by Reg NYC

"....our country's safety depends on the integrity of the men and women in uniform and their ability to tell the truth under adverse circumstances."

Dom Giordano: ...But we have reached General Wesley Clark. General Wesley Clark - 38 years in the military of course, Commander of NATO of course, MSNBC analyst and candidate for President - it's a thrill to welcome you here to the Big Talker 1210, General Wesley Clark. General, good morning. Thanks very much for joining us.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Good morning. Great to be with you.

Dom Giordano: Well, General, give me your overall sense, would you please, of what happened here. You believe in the Tillman investigation, and I want you to kind of analyze that based on your sources in the military and your sense of being in command at those levels.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well, my sense is that this was reported all the way up the chain of command to the Secretary of Defense and the White House and that people got scared because it looked like things that happened that were wrong.

General Wesley Clark on Countdown with Keith Olbermann

July 26, 2007
transcript by RegNYC

Keith Olbermann: Edward R. Murrow put it best and put it simply, "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty." True as it pertained to Senator Joseph McCarthy in 1954. True as it pertains to Undersecretary of Defense Eric Edelman in 2007. Our fourth story on the Countdown, Mr. Edelman's boss refutes Mr. Edelman over his answer to an inquiry from the Junior Senator from New York.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (on tape): In fact, I asked the Pentagon a simple question, "Have you prepared for withdrawing our troops?" In response, I got a letter accusing me of being unpatriotic, that I shouldn't be asking questions.

Keith Olbermann: Defense Secretary Gates having now replied to Senator Clinton's second letter, "I truly regret that this important discussion went astray and emphatically assure you that we do not claim, suggest or otherwise believe that Congressional oversight emboldens our enemies. I agree with you that planning concerning the future of U.S. Forces in Iraq - including the drawdown of those forces at the right time - is not only appropriate but essential." A spokesman for the Senator saying she's "disappointed that (Gates) did not repudiate (the) unacceptable political attack. There is absolutely no room," the statement continues, "for impugning the patriotism of those who rightfully engage in Congressional oversight." MSNBC analyst General Wesley Clark served for 38 years in the Army, including time as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. General Clark thanks again for some of your time tonight.

GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Thanks. Good to be with you, Keith.

Keith Olbermann: You know a little bit about this delicate balance between military and civilian power. Undersecretary Edelman said Mrs. Clinton's questions reinforced enemy propaganda. Mr. Gates disassociated himself from that statement today. Why does Mr. Edelman still have a job working for Mr. Gates?