Wesley K. Clark
Remarks On Open Government And Launch Of Online Reading Room

Last week, I talked about the importance of an open, honest, accessible government - and about how the persistent pattern of secrecy in the Bush White House undermines it.

For three years, George W. Bush has stonewalled America. For three years, he's put the special interests above the national interests. He's sealed records, cut short investigations, invoked executive privilege, and shut the American people out of the government - creating one of the most secretive presidencies in our nation's history.

George W. Bush has created a government of the special interests, for the special interests, and by the special interests.

To address this problem, I announced my openness doctrine, which includes steps to reverse Mr. Bush's secrecy policies and creates standards to build the most open and honest government in American history. I'm going to create a government for the people, of the people, and by the people. I will reverse the elaborate web of closed-door governing that President Bush has spent three years spinning. And I will establish a strict openness doctrine that will apply to every person at every level of a Clark Administration.

I also announced last week the grand opening of the "Clark Reading Room" right here in Manchester, New Hampshire, where all of my personal and professional files are available to the public.

Today, I'm glad to announce that all of these papers are now available not just in New Hampshire, but anywhere there's an internet connection.

As of this afternoon, all of my personal and professional files are posted online at www.clark04.com/readingroom/. I invite - and I encourage - all Americans to log on.

The documents include:

• My personal financial records since I left the military and entered the business world, including my tax returns from the last five years, and the financial disclosure form that I submitted to the FEC
• A list of all my paid speaking engagements since I left the military
• Records from the one company I was registered to represent before the federal government
• And transcripts from some of my most recent congressional testimonies, specifically those focusing on the war in Iraq

I also want to reiterate my call on all the Democrats in this race to follow suit. I challenge all the Democrats to release their public and financial records immediately.

The American people shouldn't have to wait a day longer for openness and honesty from all the candidates.

To put it simply, presidents are public servants - they shouldn't be in government to serve themselves or narrow special interests.

They should be open, honest, and up front with the public about everything possible - and especially about their professional life, their business connections, lobbying records, and any potential conflicts of interest. Because, when it comes down to it, true leaders shouldn't have anything to hide from the people who elect them.

And as candidates, I think it's crucial that we practice what we preach.

As Democrats, we need to set an example for George W. Bush, and show him what an open and honest government is all about. We need to show the country that there are clear differences between Democrats and Republicans. We're the party of accountability and accessibility.

We need to give the government back to its rightful owners - the American people.

We need to bring a higher standard of leadership back to the White House. Leadership that puts America's values first: patriotism, faith, family, and inclusion.

Leadership that puts the nation's interests above the special interests, and principles above politics. Leadership that believes in open, honest government and demands accountability. And that's why I'm running for President.

I'm an outsider. I'm not a politician and I'm not from Washington, DC.

I'm from a humble home in Little Rock, Arkansas. My mom was a secretary.

We never had much, but we always managed to get by. And I understand how many families struggle to make ends meet. That's why we always need to put families first.

I've spent my life in executive positions - as a doer, not a debater. I went to West Point. I led an infantry company in Vietnam. I commanded an armored division, helped negotiate peace in Bosnia, and led the military forces of 19 nations in war and peacekeeping in the Balkans.

As a general, I was responsible for the lives of thousands of troops and their families - from fixing potholes on the base to providing schools and health care for their children.

As a retired general, I sat on boards, chaired a startup of a high tech company, and worked as an investment banker.

The bottom line: I'm a leader, not a politician. And I want what's best for our country, not what's best for the special interests. Because I believe the American people deserve better and the stakes are too high for anything less. Together, we can move America forward and give our government back to the people. Not just for this election, but for the next generation.

Thank you, and I'll be glad to take your questions.