Posted on 03/18/2003 7:15:47 AM PST by sureshot
Daschle Then (1998) During the Clinton Administration, Senator Tom Daschle - now the Senate Minority Leader --lobbied for a Congressional resolution to take "all necessary measures" to respond to the Iraqi threat. At the time, a large number of U.S. allies opposed any U.S. military action. Daschle responded to questions about the need for action this way: "Look, we have exhausted, virtually, our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply with their own agreements and with international law. Given that, what other option is there but to force them to do so?"
Daschle Now (2003) Monday afternoon Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle abandoned any pretense of unity in a time of war, as he charged that President Bush "failed so miserably at diplomacy that we're now forced to war" and suggested Bush should be blamed for the deaths of U.S. soldiers as asserted he's "saddened that we have to give up one life because this President couldn't create the kind of diplomatic effort that was so critical for our country,"
In 1998, the Senate was so alarmed at the looming menace of Saddam that it passed Concurrent Resolution 71 urging the president "to take all necessary and appropriate actions to respond to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." The resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy, Robert Byrd, Christopher Dodd, John Kerry and Tom Daschle, all vocal critics of President Bush's policy on Iraq.
Daschle described how the resolution would "send as clear a message as possible that we are going to force, one way or another, diplomatically or militarily, Iraq to comply with their own agreements and with international law." "[W]e have exhausted virtually all our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply," Daschle said. "We have got to force them to comply militarily."
"The U.S. should strike, strike hard and strike decisively. In this instance, the administration needs to act sooner rather than later," Sen. Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia Democrat, said on Nov. 14, 1998.
From: Donald Lambro, Washington Times 9/16/02
Democrat Bill Clinton: "If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow. Some day, some way, I guarantee you, he'll use the arsenal."
Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia: "The U.S. should strike, strike hard and strike decisively. In this instance, the administration needs to act sooner rather than later."
Democrat Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware: "The only way we're going to get rid of Saddam Hussein is we're going to end up having to start it alone - start it alone - and it's going to require guys...in uniform to be back on foot in the desert taking Saddam down."
Democrat Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts: "Saddam Hussein has already used these weapons and made it clear that he has the intent to try, by duplicity and secrecy to continue to do so. That is a threat to the stability of the Middle East. It is a threat with respect to the potential terrorist activities on a global basis."
Democrat Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota: "Look, we have exhausted virtually our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply with their own agreements and with international law. Given that, what other option is there but to force them to do so? We have got to force them to comply, and we are doing so militarily."
Anthony Zinni:
Asked whether Saddam Hussein is capable of using chemical and biological warfare, Zinni replied, "I spent seven months in northern Iraq. I went into the Kurdish villages that were gassed. I went into villages where no stone stood upon stone, and the villagers told me that five times the villages were destroyed. We still detected traces of the chemicals in those areas and couldn't let the Kurds go back into those villages.
"He used it in the Iran-Iraq war. He's used it against the marsh Arabs. So he's used it against brother Arabs. He used it against brother Muslims." If, indeed, Saddam Hussein possesses those weapons, Zinni said, "it's clear" he will use them.
Calling Saddam Hussein "dangerous," Zinni said, "I would not want to predict his intentions. I purely look at his capabilities; those exist. As I said, he's still in violation of some of the sanctions that are in place to support the resolutions, and until he is fully compliant, I think we have to be ready to take military action and to respond because he still poses a threat."
The likelihood of a military confrontation is unpredictable, Zinni said, adding, "I think we have to fully expect that it could be a possibility that this would occur. I am not sure how desperate (Saddam Hussein) is. He is a man that doesn't act rationally. I have seen the results of his handiwork, firsthand. It's sickening. And it seems to me he has little value for human life. And if it's a question of being in power, I think he'd resort to any act."
I have quotes from Al Gore as well, has he surfaced with comments lately?
Classic W. rope a dope/Dim.
Even if we give first priority to the destruction of terrorist networks, and even if we succeed, there are still governments that could bring us great harm. And there is a clear case that one of these governments in particular represents a virulent threat in a class by itself: Iraq. As far as I am concerned, a final reckoning with that government should be on the table."
-Al Gore, in Feb. 12, 2002 speech to Council on Foreign Relations.
Full Transcript of Feb 12, 2002 speech
On May 23,2000 vice president and presidential candidate Al Gore made the following remarks about Iraq:
"We have made it clear that it is our policy to see Saddam Hussein gone. We have sought coalitions of opponents to challenge his power from within or without. I have met with the Iraqi resistance, and I have invited them to meet with me again next month – when I will encourage them to further unite in their efforts against Saddam. We have maintained sanctions in the face of rising criticism, while improving the oil-to-food program to help the Iraqi people directly. We have used force when necessary. And we will not let up in our efforts to free Iraq from Saddam's rule. Should he think of challenging us, I would strongly advise against it. As a Senator, I voted for the use of force. As Vice President, I supported the use of force. And if entrusted with the Presidency, my resolve will never waver. "
But then again, we have the story about Gore selling his 1991 war vote as recounted by Senator Alan Simpson ....
Al Gore's new campaign ad is running across the country now and says he is "fighting for us." But the true story of his Gulf War vote in January 1991 says he is usually fighting for Al. Here is the inside story of what happened.
The Gulf War vote was pretty serious business. I can't think of anyone who didn't have a lump in his or her throat while weighing the situation: 500,000 Americans troops already deployed; Saddam Hussein promising the "mother of all battles"; most "experts" predicting heavy American losses.
The choice was not an easy one. Senators with combat experience on both sides of the aisle were on both sides of the issue. Some Democrats openly supported the measure; some Republicans openly opposed it. And vice versa.
The seriousness of the situation called for open, honest debate. No deal-making. No cajoling. No politics. Just an honest discussion, followed by an honest vote of conscience by each senator. As Republican whip, I worked with the Republican leader, Bob Dole, and the Democratic leaders, George Mitchell and Sam Nunn, to schedule the debate. As Republicans, Bob and I were responsible for scheduling time to speak for senators who supported the war. As Democrats, George and Sam were responsible for scheduling time to speak for those who opposed the war.
The night before this monumental debate, I sat in the Republican cloakroom with Sen. Dole. The mood was somber. The tension was palpable. We were on the verge of sending troops to war. Our national credibility was on the line. Would America stand up to tyranny and aggression in the Middle East? This was not some issue to be taken lightly.
As Bob and I discussed the debate schedule for the next day, a senator walked into our cloakroom and asked to speak to us. The senator's appearance and request surprised Bob and me. It surprised us because the senator was a Democrat, coming to ask for a favor.
Who was that man? It was Tennessee Senator Al Gore, Jr. Senator Gore got right to the point: "How much time will you give me if I support the President?" In layman's terms, Gore was asking how much debate time we would be willing to give him to speak on the floor if he voted with us. "How much time will the Democrats give you?" Senator Dole asked in response.
"Seven minutes," was the droning response. I'll give you 15 minutes," Senator Dole said. "And I'll give you five of mine, so you can have 20 minutes," I offered.
Gore seemed pleased, but made no final commitment, promising only to think it over. Senator Gore played hard to get. He had received his time. But now he wanted prime time. And Senator Dole and I knew it.
After Senator Gore left, Senator Dole asked Howard Greene, the Republican Senate secretary, to call Gore's office and promise that he would try to schedule Gore's 20 minutes during prime time, thus ensuring plenty of coverage in the news cycle. Later that night, Senator Gore called Greene and asked if Senator Dole had scheduled him for a prime-time speaking slot.
When Greene said nothing had been finalized yet, Gore erupted, "Damnit, Howard! If I don't get 20 minutes tomorrow I'm going to vote the other way."
The following day, Gore arrived on the Senate floor with, I always thought, two speeches in hand. Gore was still waiting to see which side, Republicans or Democrats, would offer him the most and the best speaking time.
Senator Dole immediately asked the Senate to increase the amount of speaking time for both sides. I believe only then, after Gore realized we were asking for more time to make room for him on our side, that he finally decided to support the resolution authorizing the use of force to drive Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait.
It brings me no joy to recount the events leading up to the Gulf War vote. It isn't something I wanted to do. But it is something I have to do. I was there. I have to set the record straight because the Gore campaign is now running an ad proclaiming that Gore "broke with his own party to support the Gulf War." In reality, It's much closer to the truth to say he broke for the cameras to support the Gulf War.
"Gore's Gulf War Vote Hinged on Key TV Slot" by Senator Alan Simpson
Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert responded to the above comments of Senator Daschle today:
"I was disappointed to see Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle's comments regarding the upcoming military action in Iraq. Those comments may not undermine the President as he leads us into war, and they may not give comfort to our adversaries, but they come mighty close.
"Senator Daschle has spent more time criticizing the leadership of President Bush than he has spent criticizing the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Mr. Hussein is the reason we are at this moment in history. Saddam Hussein has a long history of brutality, a long track record of harboring weapons of mass destruction and supporting terrorists and terrorist organizations. He has terrorized his neighbors and his own citizens. He has made a mockery out of the United Nations for twelve years now, and because the United Nations will not act to protect its integrity, we will act for it."
"Make no mistake. Saddam Hussein is to blame for this war. This war is only necessary because Saddam Hussein refuses to disarm, refuses to leave power, and refuses to stop his brutal ways. I would hope that at this time of crisis, we will all work together to support our troops and our President as we move forward to remove Saddam Hussein from power."
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