Clark appeals to party elite

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Wesley Clark made his first direct appeal to hard-core Democrats yesterday, hoping to prove his party credentials, even though he's still a registered independent.

The first thing Mr. Clark told the crowd at the Marriott Hotel near Adams Morgan in Washington was: "I'm pro-choice, I'm pro-affirmative action, I'm pro-environment, pro-education, pro-health care and pro-labor. And if that ain't a Democrat, then I must be in the wrong meeting," he said to thunderous applause from his supporters.

In the three weeks since he joined the race, Mr. Clark has raised some eyebrows in the party over his past affiliations with the Republican Party. The retired Army four-star general has spoken glowingly of President Bush and his administration, acknowledged voting for former Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, and -- it was revealed this week -- still hasn't registered as an actual Democrat in his home state of Arkansas.

Nevertheless, Mr. Clark told his new partymates yesterday: "I've campaigned for Democrats, given money to Democrats, and voted for Democrats, including Al Gore in 2000. And I'm proud that his campaign was a winning campaign."

Sen. John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, also spoke at yesterday's meeting of the Democratic National Committee. Although he never uttered Mr. Clark's name, Mr. Kerry took several clear jabs at the retired general for his late conversion to the party.

"This is not a commitment that I made in the last few weeks," Mr. Kerry said. "This is not a commitment that I've made in the last year or that I stumbled across in the course of this campaign. This has been a cause with me for a lifetime."

And, even more pointedly, he added: "My friends, I am proud that I stood against Richard Nixon, not with him." The audience cheered, screamed and blew on little whistles they'd brought in.

It was a crowd of the Democratic Party's truest believers, gathered this weekend to hear each of the 10 candidates running for their party's nomination to oppose Mr. Bush in next year's election. Tables were set up for each candidate to sell hats and bumper stickers.

Andrea Ronhovde, a lifelong Democrat from Washington, surveyed the candidates and said, "I don't think we see any clear winner."