Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark was in New Hampshire Friday and Saturday.
It was Clark's first visit to the Granite State since announcing his candidacy nearly two weeks ago.
During visits to Manchester, Henniker, and Dover, Clark's mission was to woo new supporters.
But as NHPR's Brian McWilliams reports, the 58-year-old former general was also here to thank the Granite state residents who played a key role in convincing him to run ...
Outside City Hall in Dover at noon Saturday, Wesley Clark addressed a noisy crowd of about three hundred.
["We want Clark! We want Clark! We want Clark!"]
Many were members of New Hampshire's Draft Clark campaign.
Organizers of the movement latched onto Clark about six months ago -- largely for his anti-war stand and FOR what they considered his electability.
Eventually, the Internet-based effort cajoled Clark into becoming a candidate...
"Thank you so much. Thank each and every one of you who's part of this movement. You said you wanted me, well, you've got me! [00:11 clark-you'vegotme.wav]
CLARK SPOKE without notes or a teleprompter.
HE SAID he's seeing a RESURGENCE of patriotism in America.
BUT HE SAYS it's a patriotism based on a commitment to public service and to helping others ...
"And it's a new kind of patriotism that recognizes that in a democracy, we're founded on dialogue, discussion, and even dissension. And it's not wrong to speak out and let your voices be heard all across this land, and that's what we're going to do ..." [00:22 clark-dissent.wav]
[background sounds -- clarkworkscrowd.wav]
After his 15-minute speech, Clark worked the crowd.
Dressed in a blue suit with a red tie, the white-haired Clark was swarmed by supporters.
He shook hands, signed autographs, and even kissed a baby.
But not everyone was there to cheer Clark on.
One man confronted the former general, saying his criticism of the war against Iraq was harmful to the troops.
Clark quickly shot back.
"This administration can't use the troops as an excuse so that people can't comment on a mistaken policy.
"It's not a mistaken policy..."
"Well, that's where we differ." [00:13, clark-mistakenpolicy.wav]
[fade out music, clark-greenwood.wav]]
Another question may hound Clark for a bit longer in his young campaign.
WHY did he suddenly become a Democrat?
[fade in house party background tape, clark-hp-background.wav]
At a Saturday afternoon house party attended by about 50 people at JOHN AND MARY RAUH?S Newcastle home, Clark was asked about his recent conversion to the Democratic party.
The Arkansas native has previously said he voted for Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr.
Clark's answer lasted nearly six minutes.
He said he had been a Republican in the past because the party was synonymous with a strong national defense.
But according to Clark, things changed in the early 1990s.
"The Republican party had lost its way. It was for isolationsim, smashing the alliances in Europe ... I was stunned, because this was something else, it was a party of isolationism and anger at those abroad." [00:21 clark-gop-lostitsway.wav]
Clark said Republicans courted him to run for congress after he retired from the military a couple years back.
But he said his views on affirmative action, abortion, labor unions, the environment, and public education, also made him realize he was a Democrat after all.
"I would have been the loneliest Republican in history if I had joined that party. For me, there was no choice about parties, and I'm a very proud Democrat." [00:09 clark-prouddemocrat.wav]
Clark's answer satisfied Newcastle resident and long-time Democrat Mil Duncan.
"I had been disturbed when I heard he had voted for Reagan. But I think that's a reasonable explanation. I think people change. And I love the way he talked about the issues." [00:11 milduncan1.wav]
Undecided Democrats and Independents will have plenty of other chances to form an opinion of Clark.
People in his campaign say they consider New Hampshire a key state.
AND THEY PROMISE Clark will return several times before the January primary.
For NHPR News, I'm Brian McWilliams.
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