Wesley K Clark

With rising poll numbers and growing crowds in New Hampshire, Democratic presidential contender Wesley K. Clark ventured out of the state Saturday but planned to sprint back today, canceling trips to California and other states over the next few days. With donations pouring in, according to aides, Clark's scheduling changes reflect the increasing importance his campaign attaches to New Hampshire, site of the nation's first primary on Jan. 27.

For a little while Tuesday it looked like Bill Richardson was back in one of his job-interview political ads, applying this time for a different opening -- vice president, say, or secretary of State. Richardson, the New Mexico governor and former Democratic presidential contender, was the keynote speaker at a symposium on rogue nations hosted by UCLA's Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations. The gathering also featured retired Gen. Wesley K.

A war lingers in Iraq; the economy falters at home. But since Sunday, the 2008 presidential race seems to have been consumed by what a retired general said on a television talk show. Retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation" and questioned whether famed war hero John McCain had the executive experience to be commander in chief.

RETIRED Gen. Wesley K. Clark, highly decorated and a Democrat, took Hollywood by storm four years ago when he ran for president. Now he's back, this time rallying the troops for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clark has spent so much time on the Westside in recent weeks, between trips to Iowa and New Hampshire, that industry politicos (the few who aren't on the picket lines or worrying about them) have started rumors: Clark could be Clinton's running mate. Or maybe secretary of state.

Wesley K. Clark, a former NATO commander and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, will join UCLA this fall as a senior fellow, university officials plan to announce today. Clark, who is expected to arrive on campus about Oct. 1, will teach occasional seminars, publish policy papers and organize and hold an annual conference on national security, officials said. He will be affiliated with the university's Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations.

Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark, speaking to UCLA faculty and students Monday, said that observing the Geneva Convention is crucial to America's interests and its ability to mobilize other countries for collective efforts.

Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark on Monday unveiled the most sweeping tax-reform plan of any of the Democratic presidential hopefuls, a plan he said would dramatically simplify tax returns and benefit 31 million families without increasing the budget deficit. Under Clark's proposal, a family of four making up to $50,000 a year would pay no federal income tax at all, and all families with children making up to $100,000 would see a reduction in their tax bill.

In a sign that Wesley K. Clark's presidential campaign may be gaining ground in New Hampshire, Howard Dean's staffers on Wednesday staked out Clark's campaign appearances, handing out fliers that called the retired Army general "pro-war" and questioned whether he was a "real" Democrat. In Peterborough, a man who identified himself as a Dean campaign staffer handed out the leaflets to people attending a Clark speech.

The 64-year-old minister walked out of a town meeting held by Democratic presidential hopeful Wesley K. Clark on Thursday and promptly swiped a "Clark for President" sign. "I'm lifting one," said the Rev. Margaret Seymour as she tugged the stakes out of the frozen ground. "He just sold me." Seymour's reaction is an increasingly common one in New Hampshire, as the Clark campaign shows signs of growing support less than three weeks before the state's crucial primary on Jan. 27.

When the call came on that summer night in 1999, Gen. Wesley K. Clark was dining with Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus at the leader's elegant estate in Vilnius. A fine cut of roast beef was on his plate, French wine filled his glass and Clark was in excellent spirits. A military aide whispered in Clark's ear: The Pentagon was on the line. "Excuse me, Mr. President," Clark said. "I'll have to take this call." On the phone was Gen.