PRESIDENT CLINTON VIDEO, December 16, 1998 Sadaam has nuclear arms, poison gas/bio weapons.

PBS.org ^ | February 7, 2004 | the eagle has landed

[TheEaglehasLanded]

PRESIDENT CLINTON: Good evening. Earlier today, I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces. Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors.

Their purpose is to protect the national interest of the United States, and indeed the interests of people throughout the Middle East and around the world.

Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons.

I want to explain why I have decided, with the unanimous recommendation of my national security team, to use force in Iraq; why we have acted now; and what we aim to accomplish.

[TheEaglehasLanded]

I have called the White House, the RNC, and many Republicans and just asked them to play this in Committee hearings or when they have press conferences or TV appearances.

They must just be stupid, because you know any smart person would.

[rhombus]

Hey who's gonna trust what Clinton said about WMD, he's a known liar.

[TheEaglehasLanded]

Of course everyone believed Sadaam had WMD's, I still believe they are hidden somewhere. Plus it would stammer the Dems when you show the video of all there statements saying he had WMD's

[Michael.SF.]

Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs

The headline is misleading. "programs vs. Weapons" big difference.

Now, before anyone says something, I support Bush on this and believe what we did was 100% correct. But according to the above quote, Clinton did not say they had such weapons, but instead was taking action to prevent them from developing such weapons. This would be a "preemptive" attack.

I would suggest an alternative headline:

Clinton Launches Preemptive Strike in Iraq
Cites possibility of Iraq's development of WMD as threat to Security of America

[Huck]

Is this the best we've got? Clinton did it too? That's our best argument?

[votelife]

Clinton is a know liar, but airing the tapes would force the libs to say, Clinton was a liar, or he (and Bush) told the truth. Either way they'd hate it.

[Bonaparte]

What They Said Then

Stephen Rittenberg
The Iconoclast

October 1, 2003: And now a journey into America's murky political past for another episode of 'Hypocrites' Diary.' If you've watched the TV news in the last several weeks, you've seen and heard what leading Democrats now have to say about the "unnecessary," "irresponsible" Iraq War perpetuated by alleged liar and warmonger George W. Bush. However, please read on, to see what they had to say in the past about Iraq, Saddam, and Saddam's WMDs:
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998

"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998

"Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face."
--Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998

"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983."
--Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Letter to President Clinton, signed by:
-- Democratic Senators Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others, Oct. 9, 1998

"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
-Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies."
-- Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999

"There is no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies."
Letter to President Bush, Signed by:
-- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), and others, Dec 5, 2001

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and th! e means of delivering them."
-- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
-- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power."
-- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..."
-- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force -- if necessary -- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security."
-- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002

"He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do"
-- Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction."
-- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002

"[W]ithout question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..."
-- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003
So now the Democrats say President George W Bush lied, that there never were any WMDs, and Bush alone took America to war for his oil buddies?

[Quilla]

Ok, Clinton used the term "program" in this speech. If I recall correctly, he was just a co-president and rather busy with other affairs. Here's his other half's take on the subject:

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons." -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

[Quilla]

Man, you're fast!

[TheEaglehasLanded]

bttt

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The past is being researched:

Larry Elder: Were we misled? (about Iraq's WMD)

[the_Watchman]

There is an even more fundamental issue here. Clinton's actions were certainly without even the discussion of the U.N. The military strikes were much more unilateral in that there were far fewer allies involved.

The intelligence reports suggested to Bill Clinton that the weapons programs of Iraq represented a viable threat to the U.S. and Iraq's neighbors.

We know that Clinton even was clearly attempting to deflect domestic political heat from himself, personally. However, this case does not have to be made.

All of these issues should be waved in front of the liberal's faces.

[FairOpinion]

Excellent!

We need to keep pounding on this.

I agree -- I don't understand either why the Republicans aren't playing all the clips, of which there are many of Clinton, other Democrats and other foreign leaders expressing their conviction that Saddam has WMD.

[FairOpinion]

Excellent collection!

[eyespysomething]

No no no. The story now is Clintoon destroyed them when he did the bombing.

[eyespysomething]

Here's a quote from Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, October 10, 2002

There has also been some debate over how "imminent" a threat Iraq poses. I do believe that Iraq poses an imminent threat, but I also believe that after September 11, the question is increasingly outdated. It is in the nature of these weapons, and the way they are targeted against civilian populations, that documented capability and demonstrated intent may be the only warning we get. To insist on further evidence could put some of our fellow Americans at risk. Can we afford to take that chance? We cannot!

Statement of Senator Rockerfeller

[truth_seeker]

"They must just be stupid, because you know any smart person would."

Yeah. Right, W is stupid. Got his stupid ol' self elected President, of these here United States.

And smart ol' you, giving advice like you was a genius, sorta.

Hint: November is a long time from now. Pace yourself. Let the opponent play some cards, first.

[glorgau]

I don't understand either why the Republicans aren't playing all the clips,

They will be playing when they count - next October.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Hint: November is a long time from now. Pace yourself. Let the opponent play some cards, first.

Right, there was a thread here recently about GW as a decent poker player in college!

I think many of his tactics show that skill rather well!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks, captured that:

Statement of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV - On the Iraq Resolution - October 10, 2002