General Wesley Clark has made up his mind. He's joining the Democratic race for President. The official announcement is expected tomorrow.

We like Clark, a lot. We think he is more liberal than Dean on criminal justice issues. We reported on his known positions here.

Daily Kos, who now supports and works for Dean, had this to say about Clark back in April:

"He's solid on national security, well-spoken, presidential, pro-choice, pro-gun, pro-affirmative action, anti-PATRIOT Act, and believes strongly that the government should provide for the less fortunate amongst us."

To get up to speed on Wesley Clark and his views, here are some links:

An Army of One written by Clark in the September 2002 Washington Monthly.

On Clark's background (scroll down until you get to Clark):

A West Point graduate and former Rhodes Scholar, Clark saw combat in the Vietnam War as commander of a mechanized infantry company. He won the Silver Star, the Bronze Star (twice), the Purple Heart and other decorations for his heroism in combat. Clark served as Commander-in-Chief of US Southern Command ("SOUTHCOM") in 1996-97 and NATO Supreme Allied Commander in 1997-2000 (during the NATO bombing campaign against Serbia). He retired from the Army in 2000 and subsequently wrote a book on military-foreign policy entitled Waging Modern War (2001). Clark currently resides in DC, but considers Arkansas to be his home.

Wesley Clark Unplugged, a Salon Interview from March, 2003:

One of the things about the war on terror that I am disturbed about is that we've essentially suspended habeas corpus. Which is something that's only been done once in American history and then only for a very brief period.

When I go back and think about the atmosphere in which the PATRIOT Act was passed, it begs for a reconsideration and review. And it should be done. Law enforcement agencies will always chafe at any restriction whatsoever when they're in the business of trying to get their job done. But in practice we've always balanced the need for law enforcement with our own protection of our constitutional rights and that's a balance that will need to be reviewed.

This just might be our candidate. We're going to learn more and report it all here, so check back often.