[saleman]

1. Because the left wing Times would say anything to embarrass Bush. Also I don't believe the Times has ever been shy about printing rumor and innuendo as long as there's not facts to prove them wrong.

2. It's very difficult to disprove a lie without sounding like your covering up or lying yourself. I believe Bush and Blair did talk about removing Saddam. At least I hope our president would have plans ahead of time (see North Korea).

[Canard]

The Times is not left wing. I don't read it all the time, but haven't personally observed that it was printing things just to embarrass Bush. The paper's ownership makes that unlikely I would have thought.