“Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike?
If this threat is permitted to fully and suddenly emerge, all actions, all words and all recriminations would come too late. Trusting in the sanity and restraint of Saddam Hussein is not a strategy, and it is not an option.”
Some people forget these words.
Ted Kennedy, among others, has managed to turn this phrase on its head. In this interview, he famously claimed that "There was no imminent threat. This was made up in Texas, announced in January to the Republican leadership that war was going to take place and was going to be good politically. This whole thing was a fraud."
So, the hero of Chappaquiddick used the following logical syllogism:
1. Bush said that we shouldn't wait until there is an imminent threat.
2. There was no imminent threat.
3. Therefore, Bush lied.