DATE=09/17/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S POL-CLARK (S)

NUMBER=2-307616

BYLINE=JIM MALONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Retired U-S Army General Wesley Clark is taking on a new battle, joining the fight for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. National Correspondent Jim Malone has a report.

TEXT: General Clark returned home to Little Rock, Arkansas, to announce that he will be the tenth Democrat to join the race for the White House next year.

/// CLARK ACT ///

Forward, with a new vision. Forward, to bring our children and grandchildren into a future brightened by hope, courage and our determination that we can do better. We will do better and we will do it together! (cheers and applause).

/// END ACT ///

General Clark says he wants to restore the nearly three-million jobs lost during the Bush administration and wants to improve the U-S image abroad.

General Clark is counting on his strong military resume as a selling point with voters in a time of war. But his lack of political experience and his late start in the campaign could put the former NATO commander at a disadvantage when the presidential primary season begins in mid-January. (SIGNED)

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