Posted on 03/28/2006 3:15:56 PM PST by Shermy
PHILADELPHIA - Republicans urged the Clinton administration to invade Iraq as early as eight years ago, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said Monday at a political fundraiser.
"I remember when we were in office, starting in 1998, various Republicans were coming to us wanting a ground invasion," Albright said.
She did not name the people she said made those requests nor say what prompted them. But 1998 was when the Iraqi government defied a United Nations-imposed "no-fly" zone and began firing on planes attempting to enforce it.
Albright's remarks came in response to a question about an article in Monday's editions of The New York Times. The story said the Bush administration had decided to go to war two months before doing so "even if international arms inspectors failed to find unconventional weapons."
Albright spoke briefly to reporters outside a fundraiser for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey that his campaign said was expected to raise $100,000.
She reiterated her earlier statements on the war in Iraq: "This was a war of choice, not of necessity." Albright has also said that now that the war is in progress, it is critical to win it.
Casey, who is trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., said he was disturbed by the newspaper account.
"A lot of Americans understand now that we were misled on a lot of things about the war in Iraq. And that's why we have elections," he said.
What we are doing," replied Albright, "is so that you all can sleep at night."
"She was interrupted by sustained applause, and continued to say that this "is a very different kind of world" and that an example of the use of biological weapons occurred a few years ago when hundreds of Japanese on a subway were sickened by a biological agent.
"We need to put a stop to dictators who have weapons of destruction," she said. "I am very proud of what we are doing. We are the greatest nation in the world ..."
Albright stopped again, while the audience rose and applauded.
"... and what we are doing," she resumed, "is being the indispensable nation, willing to make the world safe for our children and grandchildren, and for nations who follow the rules."
The adoring press coverage for the Clintonites was a little different then compared to now for Bush.
"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.
"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.
"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.
I don't think that one of those people in that link you posted was in Congress and in fact, Woolsey was Clinton's CIA Director. When Albright says Republicans, she wants people to think Congressmen.
As to your thinking that the Iraq was was sheer idiocy, we'll have to disagree on that one. I knew after 9/11 we'd end up in Iraq and I still think it was the right thing to do. And even more so as the Saddam documents are translated. But some people think it's okay he was paying terrorists, training them, and housing those who attacked the WTC in 1993.
Sadly, we're mostly preaching to the choir here. But it is interesting that the NYT and Boston Globe have signed up with screen names on FR. They contacted freeper jveritas via freepmail and interviewed him regarding his translation of the Saddam documents.
And she wonders why we nickname her "Not so Bright"
That old nut case needs to find a retirement home and shut up.
No, Maddie Halfbright wants people to think "Rumsfeld".
Transcript: President Clinton explains Iraq strike
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.
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1998/12/16/transcripts/clinton.html
So do I - and 800,000 Rwandans were hacked to death - for starters.
you can tell the difference?
zactly
MS Notatallbright, busily covering her own and her master's fanny. If there had never been a Clinton Administration, there may very well have never been a 9/11. And we would not have the MSM force forcing these scumbags lame excuses and blame everyone but them BS down our throats.
It's enough to make a dung beetle puke.
she knows the facts - libs tell lies knowing that if it's in print or on the air, half the sheeple will swallow it
except with the military which they stripped to the bone - planes grounded because they had to strip them of parts just to keep a few flying - pilots and other personnel leaving in droves - no re-upping under him. They hated his guts and had a secret signal, when in his presence, to show their disdain.
They love "W"
Yes, and thanks for making the clarification.....
Semper Fi
Mad Maddy was/is one of the worst performers as Secretary of State in our history. Every time she opens her foul mouth I get ill. Hearing from her about Iraq (Oil-for-Food scandals developed on her watch) is like hearing Jimmuh Carter discuss how to make peace with the Mullahs.
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