[Reeses]

When Saddam invaded Kuwait, it was readily accepted that this was an act of war.

I'm not disagreeing with him but Bush Sr. wanted war and tricked Saddam into thinking he could have Kuwait. Before the invasion Bush had his diplomat tell Saddam that the dispute with Kuwait was considered a border dispute that the US had no interest in. The US reaction after Saddam's invasion was a complete surprise to him.

I remember when Bush Sr. pulled his punches and did not march into Iraq to get Saddam the Democrats let him have it, saying the military should have continued on and finished the job. If the president is a Republican then no matter what decision he makes the Democrats will take the opposing point of view. If GW Bush suddenly came out for nationalizing the health care industry the Democrats would suddenly be vehemently against it.

[Verginius Rufus]

I don't have any inside information about the first Bush administration, but I doubt Bush wanted war before the invasion of Kuwait--it took pressure from Margaret Thatcher after the fact to get him to take a firm line. Apparently the administration thought that Saddam might take a small area on the border and were surprised when he decided to swallow up the entire country.

It's worth remembering that a large part of the Democratic Party wanted to do nothing in response to that, except sanctions. The great Al Gore decided which side to support based on who could offer him a prime time speaking slot when the debate over using force was televised.