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Chris Matthews: 'There Was No Intelligence Saddam Had WMD. Never'
NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 05/15/2015 5:58:22 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest

It's easy for people--with the possible exception of Jeb Bush--to say that they would not have supported the invasion of Iraq knowing what we know now about WMD there.

But Chris Matthews took things a foolish step further on this evening's Hardball, actually claiming that "there was no intelligence they had a weapon. Never was." Really? So Hillary, Bill Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore, Ted Kennedy et al. were collective fabricators when they issued dire warnings, based on the intelligence they had seen, about Saddam's WMD?

View the video here.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: chrismatthews; georgewbush; iraqiwmd; iraqwar; leftwingnuts; moron; wmd
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Chrissy, booby, that's BRAVO SIERRA. Just what the hell do you think Saddam used to kill all those Kurds, AIR FRESHENER?

It's called SARIN GAS!!!!

Sounds like you may have missed another appointment at the clinic!

 photo MSNBCGANGcopy_zps87936970.jpg

21 posted on 05/15/2015 6:09:41 PM PDT by Dick Bachert (This entire "administration" has been a series of Reischstag Fires. We know how that turned out!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

How does he get away with making such obvious and provably false statements?

OK that was a rhetorical question. He is a liberal.


22 posted on 05/15/2015 6:09:55 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Hey Chris,

The following are in chronological order from various sources.

In 1982 under Ronald Reagan and during the Iran/Iraq war, the U.S. decided to help Iraq (and Saddam Hussein) win their war with Iran. So in the early 80's, Iraq was our friend. A few years later (late 80's), Saddam Hussein used weapons of mass destruction on his own Kurdish people.

From 1990 to 1991, a U.S. led coalition force of 34 nations (authorized by the U.N.) took on Iraqi forces to liberate Kuwait. This was termed the Gulf War.

From PBS:

At the end of the Gulf War, Saddam Hussein and his elite military units were still in power and in possession of huge stockpiles of deadly weapons. In April 1991, the U.N. Security Council created UNSCOM, a special commission to find and dismantle this arsenal. The U.N. imposed economic sanctions on Iraq that would be enforced until the country eliminated all nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons capability.

Two agencies were charged with the task. UNSCOM would uncover and destroy Iraq's biological- and chemical-weapons and ballistic-missile programs; the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was charged with uncovering and dismantling Iraq's clandestine nuclear program.

From 1991 to 1998 UNSCOM and IAEA carried out numerous inspections in Iraq, but with varying degrees of success.

For the first few years, Iraqi officials failed to disclose much of their special weapons programs to the inspectors. In 1995, Saddam Hussein's son-in-law Kamel Hussein defected. He had been in charge of the bioweapons program and revealed to UNSCOM that there was a vast arsenal of weapons they had failed to uncover, including biological weapons, and described how the Iraqis were hiding them. This was a breakthrough for the inspection teams, and they continued their work until 1998, when Iraq blocked further access and expelled UNSCOM.

There's more here.

One to two years before President George W. Bush won the 2000 election, prominent Democrats made some harsh comments about Iraq, Saddam Hussein and his 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 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 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 Sens. 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.

George W. Bush was elected President in 2000. Near the end of 2001, Adnan Ihsan Saeed al-Haideri fabricated a story about Saddams WMD and relayed this story to U.S. Officials. From 2000-2003, the following comments in regards to Saddam Hussein and his WMDs were made by leading Democrats.

"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 Joe Lieberman (D-CT), John McCain (Rino-AZ) 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 mandated of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the 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 Rockerfeller (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.

According to Fox News in 2006, approximately 500 munitions of sarin gas were found (2003-2006). The declassified report can be found here.

From the above article:

Santorum pointed out that during Wednesday's debate, several Senate Democrats said that no weapons of mass destruction had been found in Iraq, a claim, he said, that the declassified document proves is untrue. "This is an incredibly, in my mind, significant finding. The idea that, as my colleagues have repeatedly said in this debate on the other side of the aisle, that there are no weapons of mass destruction, is in fact false," he said.

With the Fox news article and the declassified report, it appears going to war with Iraq could be justified for humanitarian reasons alone, plus the fact that approximately 500 munitions were found in Iraq and some WMDs could have been moved.

Is it possible Saddam Hussein was fooled by scientists scared to death of him and the Baath Party? Did Saddam run one of military history's most successful deception operations? If he did the latter, why would he would risk the toppling of his regime, his death or capture, over non-existent WMDs? Considering everything above, one plausible explanation is that WMD stockpiles did in fact exist, but that some were hidden and/or moved to Syria.

Some have said the case for war was not that there were WMDs. Rather, they say the case for war was that Iraq was not complying with the inspections and Saddam might have had WMDs. Also, our colition force allies had a positive belief that Saddam did have WMDs. The fact that Saddam might have had them and was not complying with inspections is good enough reason for the war. Even if everybody knew Saddam had no WMDs, justifying the Iraq war for humanitarian reasons is understandable by some.

According to a 2005 Newsmax article, Moscow moved Iraqi WMD to Syria and Lebanon. From the above article:

Shaw's assertions match the information provided by U.S. military forces that satellite surveillance showed extensive large-vehicle traffic crossing the Syrian border prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Also: 500 Tons of Uranium Yellowcake Secretly Moved From Iraq to Canada
23 posted on 05/15/2015 6:11:21 PM PDT by scripter
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I have a question, if there were no WMD’s in Iraq, how the heck did Assad get hold of so many chemical weapons in Syria..gee, ask a liberal that question and look at their eyes bug out


24 posted on 05/15/2015 6:12:38 PM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

There were a lot of Democrats who said he did, but Chris is right, there would be no intelligence there.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/wmdquotes.asp


25 posted on 05/15/2015 6:13:01 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Islamophobia. A word created by fascists and used by cowards to manipulate morons. -- Andrew Cummins)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

“There was no intelligence. Never” That pretty much sums up my opinion on Chris Matthews.


26 posted on 05/15/2015 6:13:15 PM PDT by mbrfl (fightingmad)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Don’t rewrite History. At the time when president Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, he based his decision on the reports of the CIA and FBI whose directors were inherited from the Clinton administration. The intelligence services of England, French and Germany also maintained the possession by Saddam Hussein of WND. Most of the democratic leadership, including Hillary, supported the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.


27 posted on 05/15/2015 6:13:33 PM PDT by Dqban22 (h=white)
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To: golux

Hide and Seek: The Search for Truth in Iraq Hardcover – Bargain Price, February 3, 2009
Charles Duelfer

http://www.amazon.com/Hide-Seek-Search-Truth-Iraq/dp/B002DYJKL6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275710192&sr=1-1

Saddam’s Secrets Paperback – August 24, 2009
Georges Hormuz Sada
http://www.amazon.com/Saddams-Secrets-Georges-Hormuz-Sada/dp/1595553304/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275710159&sr=8-1

The pix themselves appear to be gonesville, but: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1673944/posts?q=1&;page=21


28 posted on 05/15/2015 6:15:16 PM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto!)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I don’t understand why we give this idiot so much press. Not just this article, but any. The man’s a fool, but then he’s a Democrat isn’t he.


29 posted on 05/15/2015 6:17:04 PM PDT by rockinqsranch ((Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will. They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.))
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To: lonestar

Ha!


30 posted on 05/15/2015 6:18:58 PM PDT by RushIsMyTeddyBear (The White House is now known as "Casa Blanca".)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

UN Says: WMDs Smuggled From Iraq; Canadian PM Says in Terrorist Hands {Re-posting}
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1159339/posts
Saddam’s Terror Training Camps
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1553358/posts
A Matter of Evidence A CNN Anchor Gets Iraq & Al Qaeda Wrong. Will The Network Issue A Correction?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1433888/posts
Gunsmoke - Why is the Bush administration silent on the new Pentagon report?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1986551/posts


31 posted on 05/15/2015 6:20:57 PM PDT by donna (It is time for Americans to repent.)
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To: golux

I’m not playing fair. By installing a computer with Windows 7 and a 1.5 mgb modem in my mother’s basement I have vastly better information gathering capabilities than the major American media corporations do. Thanks for not chastising me about that.


32 posted on 05/15/2015 6:22:42 PM PDT by TigersEye (STONE COLD ZOMBIE SCOURGE)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Wonder how much Chrissy "Der Tingle" Matthews gave the Obama Foundation?
33 posted on 05/15/2015 6:25:42 PM PDT by kiryandil (Egging the battleship USS Sarah Palin from their little Progressive rowboats...)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Flash for Chris Matthews: There’s no ratings, Chris! Never has been, ever.


34 posted on 05/15/2015 6:26:40 PM PDT by Cincinnatus.45-70 (What do DemocRats enjoy more than a truckload of dead babies? Unloading them with a pitchfork!)
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To: clintonh8r

“the absence of intelligence.”

This idiot is suffering from his own absence of intelligence.


35 posted on 05/15/2015 6:28:55 PM PDT by Old Grumpy
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
"But as Mr. Bush spoke about the rise of the Islamic State, and put blame on President Obama for removing troops from Iraq, Ms. Ziedrich found herself becoming furious. ISIS, she believed, was the product of George W. Bush’s bungled war in Iraq."

Ziedrich is just another 19-year-old who probably believes that electricity comes out of that plate on the wall.

Like magic.

36 posted on 05/15/2015 6:30:01 PM PDT by kiryandil (Egging the battleship USS Sarah Palin from their little Progressive rowboats...)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Why are you one of this guy’s 20 viewers in your town?

He did and he used them against IRAN and the Kurds. Matthews left reality long ago. The question never answered publicly is what happened to them.....no one serious can say they never existed.


37 posted on 05/15/2015 6:32:01 PM PDT by The Klingon
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Poor Chris.
Dementia is such a subtle thing in the early stages.


38 posted on 05/15/2015 6:32:16 PM PDT by JJ_Folderol (Diagonally parked in a parallel universe...)
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To: TigersEye
Wait. What? Windows 7? And... How many mgbs make this possible? mgb photo: 1 - 1975 MGB Roadster 12062006-1-1.jpg
39 posted on 05/15/2015 6:33:33 PM PDT by golux
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To: Old Grumpy

He really is stupid. The problem is that he does not realize it and it is hard to believe someone so dumb could make it to such a high position.

I saw him on “Jeopardy” and he was both arrogant and dumb. It is surprising that such a stupid person would go on that show. Obviously he thought he would do better than he did.

I will say that he didn’t do as bad as Wolf Blitzer.


40 posted on 05/15/2015 6:33:37 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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