Jaime Rubin, former member of Clinton?s State Department, came to the University of Wisconsin Wednesday to speak on behalf of Democratic candidate Wesley Clark. Rubin, who currently works as Clark?s international policy advisor, talked to students and community members at the Memorial Union in part to drum up more supporters for the general?s race to become the Democratic nominee for the presidential election in 2004.
Though Rubin criticized President Bush?s foreign policies throughout his discussion, he also offered positive images of what Clark could do if elected president. Rubin focused on Clark?s non-political experience, separating him from the rest of the Democratic candidates that offer backgrounds with ?many ties.?
?He?s a leader, not a politician,? Rubin said of Clark.
Rubin took questions from the audience during his visit, discussing ?loaded? foreign-policy issues such as terrorism, the Palestinian and Israeli conflict and the current situation in North Korea.
In a phone interview, Rubin stressed the importance of college-student voters and said they are proving to be an integral voting demographic during the primaries. Although Rubin?s main focus is foreign policy, he did weigh in on Clark?s appeal to college students. Rubin pointed out Clark?s West Point education, stating that Clark ?appreciated? higher-learning experiences and gave the example of Clark?s policy to make education in the Balkans a priority during the 1990s.
Attendee Bob Reuschlein seconded this sentiment. Reuschlein, a former professor at the University of Oregon, said Clark?s experience as a rogue scholar at Oxford and his multiple undergraduate degrees show he has a credible commitment to students.
?He?s a real thinker,? Reuschlein said and added that Clark?s policies are ?not compulsive,? but well-planned.
Rubin also said Clark was the best candidate for veterans and students currently in the armed forces.
?Who?s a better candidate (for veterans) than a man who has been in the military for more than 30 years?? Rubin said, adding that Clark has experience as a leader of military personnel in addition to having fought in Vietnam and serving as a four-star general.
During his visit, Rubin focused mainly on foreign policy. He admonished Bush for ?dropping the ball? on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by not following up on his original vows to bring peace to the region. Rubin said Clark?s experience in diplomacy would bring the parties involved to the table and work out a long-lasting peace agreement.
?Security of Israel can only be achieved through diplomacy,? Rubin said, adding that Israel should reserve the right to defend itself, and different levels of diplomatic relations should be established.
Rubin also was quick to point out the differences in leadership tactics between Israel and Palestine. Rubin used as evidence on this point Israel?s friendship to the United States vs. some factions of Palestine using the murder of innocent citizens as a political bargaining tool.
Dan Murphy, a UW sophomore majoring in social welfare, agreed with Clark?s plan to bring peace to the Middle East and his plan to move U.S. troops out of Iraq over time and replace them with foreign peacekeepers.
?As far as talking in the Middle East, he has a plan of what he wants to do,? said Murphy, a longtime supporter of Clark.
Murphy added that Clark differs from other candidates, because he does not just attack Bush without offering solutions.
?Rather than being a straight criticism, he has a direct answer and a direct policy of what he would want to do,? he said.
Other issues Rubin touched on were Clark?s vision of multilateral approaches to world order, open trade and the defense of Clark?s Democratic credentials.
Adam Diederich, co-coordinator of Clark?s Madison-based campaign group ?Badgers for Clark,? was optimistic following the event.
?I saw a lot of new faces,? Diederich said, adding that getting the word out about Clark and his policies was the reasoning behind Rubin?s visit to UW.
