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Former NATO Head Clark Mulling Presidential Bid (Christina Ling, February 16, 2003, Reuters)

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark, the former NATO supreme commander, said on Sunday he had been asked to run for president in 2004 and was considering a challenge to President Bush.

"Sure I've thought about it and a lot of people have come to me and asked me to think about it," Clark told NBC's "Meet the Press" program, during which he criticized Bush's handling of the weapons inspections process in Iraq.

It was Clark's first public admission he was considering a run, although media and politicians have speculated for months he could become a Democratic Party candidate.

"I haven't declared a party, but it would be hard to conceive of running as a Republican only because the administration's policies are what is causing me to have these concerns," he said, adding he had no deadline for making a decision. [...]

Clark, 58, said Bush had failed to respect the reservations of key allies like France, Germany and Russia that are calling for the United States not to rush into war with Iraq over alleged weapons of mass destruction but allow United Nations inspectors more time to do their work.

"As long as the United States stands with Europe we can move the world," he said.

The concept of basing a campaign on the idea that your opponent hasn't been solicitous enough of France and Germany smacks of lunacy. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 17, 2003 9:30 PM