General Wes Clark announced Friday he will lead a "True Grits Tour" through the South, starting Monday, December 29th. To demonstrate his strength in the region, Clark will travel to states across the South, discussing our nation's safety and security.

"Wes Clark has the true grit to take on George W. Bush in the South," said National Press Secretary Bill Buck.

Departing after a morning grits send-off from Little Rock, General Clark will begin his eight-state, barnstorming blitz in Jackson, Mississippi. He will continue on to Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Birmingham, Pensacola, and end the day in Memphis.

In Birmingham, he will emphasize the importance of voting rights.

Tuesday, December 30th, General Clark will hit three states, traveling from Memphis, to Nashville and Savannah, and ending the day in Charleston.

Grits will be served throughout the trip.

Former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges said, "Wes Clark fits like a nice little shoe with Southern voters."

Clark will also discuss his "Turn Around Plan for America" - to increase family income, lift children out of poverty, increase the number of Americans covered by health insurance, send more kids to college, and reduce the number of premature deaths caused by environmental pollution.

"Clark's domestic agenda is strong," Hodges said. "His education plan is the best I've seen from any candidate."

"Democrats cannot turn America around until they turn around the results of recent election cycles," said Buck. "Democrats need victories to bring change to people's lives. Democrats need a candidate at the top of the ticket who can campaign across the country, in all 50 states and especially the South. It's now more clear than ever -- Democrats need Wes Clark at the top of the ticket in November."

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