General Wesley K. Clark
Remarks On "What's At Stake"

Thank you for that rousing New Hampshire hello - and for coming out today. And thank you for all your hard work. Without you, I wouldn't be standing here this morning. And I want to thank the citizens of New Hampshire for making me and my family feel so welcome. I've enjoyed every minute that I've spent getting to know you better. And I'm looking forward to spending even more time with you this week.

Seven days from now, as the sun rises on New Hampshire, the voters will go to the polls to fulfill the ultimate responsibility of citizenship.

Seven days from now, the men and women of New Hampshire will cast their ballots -- and let their voices be heard -- in our nation's first Democratic primary.

And the stakes in this election couldn't be higher - for both our Party and our country.

Today, nine million Americans are out of work - and three million lost their jobs since George W. Bush took office.

And millions more are struggling with declining wages, increasing costs, and rising interest rates.

Today, 35 million people and 12 million children are living in poverty - half a million more children since George Bush went to Washington.

And tens of thousands of Americans can't afford the rising cost of college education.

Today, 44 million Americans are without health care - 4 million more since George W. Bush went to Washington.

And five hundred of our servicemen and women have perished in Iraq. Thousands more lie in hospital beds.

The bottom line: The stakes for America's families - for America's future -- couldn't be higher. And we simply cannot afford to roll the dice. Our children can't afford it. Our seniors can't afford it. And America's working families can't afford it.

The choices in this election are very clear.

Will we continue down the road we're on for another four years, or will we stand up for the values we believe in?

Will we continue down the path of fear and isolation, pursuing America's interests at the expense of others? Or will we reach out to find common ground on which to build a safer world?

Will we continue down the path of tax cuts for the very rich? Or will we bring all Americans into the circle of opportunity?

We will we continue to cut deals for the special interests, with secret, closed-door meetings? Or will we pry open the doors of our nation's government?

In the America I believe in, the answers to these questions are clear.

First, we need to clean up the mess in Iraq. I have a success strategy to get our soldiers home with Iraq and America standing strong - so we can focus on the war on terrorism and the real enemy: Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda network. And we must rebuild our alliances and restore America's historic role as a leader around the world.

Second, we need to give the government back to its rightful owners -- the American people. Because it's time we created an open, honest, and accessible government. George W. Bush has built a government of the special interests, for the special interests, and by the special interests. I'm going to create a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

Third, we need to put our families first again. The Republicans are always talking about family values. But it's time we started valuing families. My Families First Tax Reform plan does that. It eliminates income taxes for families of four making up to $50,000 and cuts taxes for families making up to $100,000. The typical working family will get a tax cut of $1,500 - money for groceries, prescription drugs, and utility bills. I didn't have much growing up, so I can tell you, $100 a month would have gone a long way.

My Job Creation Plan will take back President Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans - those earning more than $200,000 -- and use that money to jumpstart the economy and create jobs.

And my health care plan will extend coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans - including every single American child.

Fourth, because there's so much at stake, we need a candidate who can take on George W. Bush in November - and win. We need a candidate who can stand up for Democratic values - for faith, family, patriotism, and inclusion. We need a candidate who, in a time of war, can stand toe-to-toe with the president on national security. We need a candidate who, in a time of need, can stand up to George Bush on the issues of tax reform, education, and health care. We need a candidate who can win not just in New Hampshire, but in every state of the union, especially down South.

Taking the White House isn't going to be easy. But it's within our reach. We're going to have to stand on principle, fight for what's right, and see things through to the finish. It's going to take real strength ... real experience ... real leadership.

That's what I brought to the Army during my thirty-four years of service, where I was responsible for the welfare and security of tens of thousands of men, women and children. Where I built coalitions and fought for peace.

And that's why I'm running for president. Because I will bring a higher standard of leadership back to the White House. Leadership that puts the nation's interests above the special interests - and puts principles above politics. Leadership that believes in open, honest government and demands accountability. Leadership in the Democratic tradition of Roosevelt and Truman, Kennedy and Clinton. Leadership that looks to the next generation -- not just the next election.

In the days before another historic election, Franklin Roosevelt said of the American people, "We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction, that there is a better life, a better world beyond the horizon." I, too, believe America's best days lie ahead of us - out there beyond the horizon. And that's why I'm running for president - to build a better future, not just for the next four years, or the next eight, but for the next generation. And it starts here in New Hampshire.

This election, the stakes couldn't be higher. The choices we make today will affect us for years to come. Together, we can take America back. And it starts here.

Now let's get to work. Thank you.