(Washington, DC) – DraftWesleyClark.com today announced that it has officially opened its national headquarters in Washington DC – just one block from the White House. The step marks a significant “ramping up” of the grassroots effort to draft Wesley Clark to run for President, and follows hot on the heels of the group’s success in collecting pledges for a Clark candidacy, running radio ads, and building a national network of local Clark chapters in dozens of cities.

“For us, choosing the national headquarters was all about location, location, location,” said John Hlinko, a leader of the effort. “Being one block from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue means that on Election night, after the party, General Clark will have a short walk to his new home. We can actually see the White House roof from our conference room. Oh, and there’s also a Starbucks nearby, but that wasn’t quite as important.”

The new headquarters will greatly facilitate the group’s effort to coordinate its national grassroots campaign, and to assist a string of local Clark ’04 chapters forming around the nation. It is located at:

727 15th St., NW
Washington, DC 20005

The group also announced that it has reached its goal of $100,000 in pledges from Clark supporters for a Clark candidacy – in less than two weeks.

“We’ve asked people to put their money where their modem is, and to make a commitment to support a Clark candidacy if the General chooses to run,” said Josh Margulies, one of the leaders of DraftWesleyClark.com. “With just a simple link and an email to some supporters, we have already generated over $100,000 in pledges. If anyone doubts the ability of General Clark to raise funds, they need only look at what this grassroots, volunteer effort has already done – and what it will do in the days and weeks to come.”

Those wishing to pledge their support for a Clark candidacy are invited to go to www.DraftWesleyClark.com and make a pledge online. The campaign is not actually processing the donations, but is collecting contact information, and making it clear that this is a real commitment. If General Clark chooses to run, DraftWesleyClark.com will contact all those who pledge, and tell them how they can complete their donations (with the official Clark campaign).ftWesleyClark.com” Meetings Happening Across America on July 7th

The campaign continues to prepare for its July 7th “MeetUps” in dozens of cities across America (beginning at 7pm, local time).

The MeetUps this month will be capped by a nationwide “Draft” toast to celebrate the success of the effort thus far. At 8:04 (“20:04” in military/international time), supporters will be invited to raise a glass of their favorite draft beer, root beer, or beverage of their choice.

The group has already grown to become one of the largest MeetUp group of all the candidates – even though it does not have a candidate.

Locations will include:

 - Washington DC: Luna Books & coffeehouse, 1633 P Street NW.

 - New York, Opia (Habitat Hotel) 130 E. 57th Street

(see http://clark2004.meetup.com/ for other locations, or contact DraftWesleyClark.com).


About DraftWesleyClark.com
Launched only weeks ago, DraftWesleyClark.com has collected thousands of letters urging General Clark to run, gained national and international media coverage in print, online, and on TV, and built a network of volunteers, ready to serve – if General Clark chooses to lead.

DraftWesleyClark.com is the largest effort to draft the General. It is not affiliated with General Clark, but is motivated by high regard for his solid record of leadership and achievement: Former supreme commander of NATO; First in his class at West Point; Vietnam combat veteran; A Rhodes Scholar; A necessary voice of common sense and moderation on the foreign policy front. The effort is led by a diverse team, including John Hlinko, a veteran of a number of grassroots and political efforts. For more information, please see www.DraftWesleyClark.com.