Clark says Bush ruining military
Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark said Sunday that the Bush administration's foreign policy is undermining the nation's support for its military.
Clark, who was a candidate for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, said the president's use of the armed forces has hurt recruitment efforts and eroded public support for the military.
"We have to make our legislators and president understand we believe in a volunteer force, and we expect him to have the leadership to guide our country in the right way in foreign affairs without wrecking the military institutions that keep us safe," Clark said while attending a fundraiser for Manchester Democrats.
He also accused the administration of committing soldiers in Iraq without proper planning and support.
"(Bush) used fear, the fear of the American people to take us into a war that was purely elective," Clark said.
Clark also voiced strong support for Democratic National Committee head Howard Dean, who has been criticized for comments attacking Republicans.
"We've got to protect our freedom and our liberty," Clark said. "I'm proud of Howard Dean. I'm proud of the Democratic party. And we're going to stand together as a party."
Clark has not said whether he will make another run for the White House in 2008, but he has said he has not ruled it out.
