Wesley Clark Drops Out Of Race

Wesley Clark is out of the race for the White House. The retired four-star general bowed out today after being unable to command significant support as a first-time presidential candidate. Clark told supporters in Little Rock this afternoon that "This is the end of the campaign for the presidency." Clark had praise for the remaining rivals in the race for the Democratic Party presidential nomination. He described John Kerry, John Edwards and Howard Dean as "good men, good Democrats and good patriots." In his 20-minute address, Clark criticized George Bush, saying the president was pursuing a "fatally flawed" foreign policy. ------ Clark entered the race last fall, hoping to use his military experience as an asset that could carry him to the presidency. He showed significant fund-raising ability, and for a time topped national preference polls. However, in 14 state primaries and caucuses, Clark finished first only once, in a narrow victory in Oklahoma. He didn`t enter the Iowa caucuses, and some say that cost him because his absence might have helped Kerry pick up the veterans` vote. Kerry won Iowa, which propelled him to victories in 11 other states. ------ Clark said he will support the eventual Democratic nominee in the fall.