9/9/2003 |
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Clark pledges again: Decision by end of next week |
By JAY HUGHES, Associated Press Writer |
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The news came late, and when it came it wasn't the news many had hoped for: Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark was pledging to decide by the end of next week whether to enter the presidential race next year, but he wasn't announcing that he would run.
Clark made the pledge - repeating one he made last week - in a recorded message provided to draft-Clark groups meeting around the state Monday evening. The message was delayed for some homestate backers by technical difficulties.
In the short webcast statement, Clark thanked the thousands across the country who have urged him to run - but made no promises while saying he appreciated their efforts.
"It's a tremendous inspiration to me, and it's been the encouragement to me to really give serious consideration to joining this race," he said.
A prominent Democrat pledged his support for Clark, less than a week after the general pronounced himself a member of that party. U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder was in the crowd at a downtown Little Rock restaurant waiting to hear Clark's recorded message.
"If he runs, I'll support him," said Snyder, who had to leave before the delayed message was played.
Clark, a Rhodes scholar who graduated first in his class at West Point, served as NATO commander during the 1999 campaign in Kosovo.
About 100 members of Arkansans for Clark gathered in downtown Little Rock to hear the webcast message. Before the meeting began, Clark backers stood in knots and speculated over the general's message, with many hoping he planned to formally announce.
The message was delayed for more than an hour by technical difficulties, but group organizer Jeff Dailey said it was well received when it was finally played.
"It was like a presidential moment in my mind. Everybody was silent as they listened to it, and captivated," Dailey said.
Other pro-Clark gatherings around the state broke up before hearing a copy of the message, Dailey said. About eight people showed up for a meeting in Jonesboro, about a dozen in Conway and 36 at Mountain Home.
At Bella Vista, more than 100 attended a gathering and finally heard Clark's message at the end of the evening.
Monday's recorded message was to be seen by Clark supporters at "MeetUps" around the country. Beth Brickell, another organizer of Arkansans for Clark, said there were about 20 gatherings in Arkansas.
Dailey told the Little Rock crowd he thinks Clark has noticed efforts like those of his group and the national organization Draft Clark 2004.
"I think, I believe, our efforts are paying off and we'll get a presidential candidate very soon," he said.
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