Last week, Gen. Wesley Kanne Clark came out as surrogate-general on behalf of presumptive Democrat nominee Barack Hussein Obama.

The retired general has been firing his verbal musket for months with little notice by the main stream media. But, after meeting privately on June 18 with BHO and separately with campaign staff, Clark took some deep breaths to reload and — this time with the media alerted — fired another verbal assault at American war hero John Sidney McCain.

According to Surrogate-General Clark, “McCain had not held executive responsibility and had not commanded troops in wartime … I don’t think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president … He hasn’t been there and ordered the bombs to fall as a wartime commander.”

Yes, Clark’s absurd broadside sounds like sour grapes; but, in fact, it provides insight into Clark, whose own judgment during and after his military career can and should be questioned.

A review of the record does not reveal precisely when Clark may have caught the virus of wanting to be the center of attention, and much more. However, it’s unlikely it happened in Vietnam, where Clark served a grueling six months, which I believe, rightly deserves the thanks and appreciation of all of us.

Could blind ambition be contaminating Clark’s own judgment? Apparently, Clark caught the virus somewhere along the line; perhaps, upon entering a room, when a subordinate called a group to snap to attention. Or, could it have been during his command tour at Fort Hood, Texas, when in early 1993, special military equipment — including two M-1 heavy tanks — were provided for the federal assault on Waco.

Given that Clark’s quiet and willing compliance to the new administration garnered him a committed patron in the new president, William Jefferson Clinton. This surmise is based on subsequent interventions by WJC and further review of Clark’s military assignments, the public record and comments of contemporaries. Reasonable people will clearly see a pattern of posturing for media attention and self-centered interest, perhaps, based on an enlarging personal political ambition and future plans. Here are a few for you:

In 1994, “Clark met with Bosnian military leader Ratko Mladic´, who later was accused of war crimes and genocide. Clark was photographed exchanging hats with Mladic´. The photo drew controversy; and a Washington Post story claimed Clark had made the visit despite a warning from the U.S. ambassador. Some Clinton administration members privately said the incident was “like cavorting with Hermann Göring.” Clark later said he “regretted the exchange …” and “it was his first experience in the rough and tumble of high visibility … and a painful few days.” The issue was ultimately resolved as President Clinton sent a letter defending Clark to the Congress.”

In another situation, then U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright tried to force Yugoslavia into allowing separation of Kosovo with the Rambouillet Agreement. General Clark was at the talks and tried to convince Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic´ by telling him, “there’s an activation order. And if they tell me to bomb you, I’m going to bomb you good,” which Clark later said “caused the Yugoslavian president Milosevic´ to launch into an emotional tirade …” Still, the controversy percolated. Clark claimed, “this was a complete misunderstanding of my statement and of the facts.” And, once again, President Clinton intervened “agreeing Clark’s remarks had been misconstrued.”

Regardless, Clark received a call the following evening from Gen. Hugh Shelton, who said he “had been told by Secretary Cohen to deliver a piece of guidance verbatim. “Get your xxxxing face off the TV. No more briefings, period. That’s it.”

Clark received another call from General Shelton nine years ago this month, in which he was told that “Secretary Cohen wanted Clark to leave his command in April 2000.” Clark was surprised by this, saying “this explanation didn’t wash” because he believed the legalities could have been sorted out to let him serve a full 3 years.” This time WJC didn’t intervene, and without a new command to take, Clark was forced into retirement on May 2, 2000.

So, Clark’s attacks on John Sidney McCain should surprise no one, especially after Clark’s history of seeking the limelight and follow-on excuses. And, it is likely, Gen. Wesley Kanne Clark still pants for the presidency. We saw him announce during the fall of 2003 but, after some short-lived media fascination, he bowed out in February 2004, and endorsed John Kerry, the eventual Democrat standard bearer.

This cycle, Clark endorsed Hillary Rodham Clinton; then at the end, immediately endorsed her arch-rival, the presumptive nominee, Barack Hussein Obama. Why the quick switch?

One does not need to be a political insider to discern Clark’s calculus in both endorsements. HRC’s domestic focus and her general election candidacy,had she prevailed in the primaries, might have been strengthened with a military man on the ticket. BHO and campaign insiders might conclude the same, given his Iraq withdrawal promises,which make many Americans nervous given his postcard-size resume and zero military experience.

BHO needs others to say things about JSM that he should not. A man with the perception of gravitas — a military background — might be preferred by BHO and his advisors as the delivery man. The candidate actors for that role include Clark, Sen. James Webb and others. Surrogate-General Clark knows this, and is likely, at least, to be following suggestions. Of course, suggestions, stratagems and other verbalized ideas are heard as orders by a man now aiming not just at John Sidney McCain but for the VP nod from BHO.

Richard Olivastro is a professional member of the National Speakers Association, president of People Dynamics,an executive leadership development company, and founder of Citizens For Change. He can be reached at Rich@Olivastro.net or 877-RichSpeaks.