Back on the fence? Hmmm ...

According to this AP article, Wesley Clark is going to add a fresh idea to the Democratic mix in a speech today at Hunter College:

Democrat Wesley Clark says if elected president, he would create a corps of civilians who could be called up for service in national emergencies much like the National Guard.

Every American age 18 or over could register for Clark's civilian reserve, listing skills that could aid the country in a disaster. Registration is voluntary and would involve a commitment to serve any time for five years.

In times of national emergency, such as floods, forest fires or terrorist attacks, the president would have the power to call to duty up to 5,000 civilian reservists. Tours would last as long as six months. Congress could authorize more to be mobilized.

Civilian reservists also could be sent overseas for jobs like reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Those who are called to duty would receive health care, a stipend, and the right to return to their jobs when their service is completed. Clark spokeswoman Kym Spell said the program would cost about $100 million a year and would be party of the Department of Homeland Security.

Now, I know I've already said that I'm supporting Dean (largely for pragmatic reasons, which I'll explain fully in a later post), but this is just the kind of call-to-service proposal that tends to warm the cockles of my [Warning: Oxymoron ahead -- ed.] DLC heart ...