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There was, however, a strong implication that a revolution against the Saddam regime would be supported -- and it wasn't. It should have made clear that it wouldn't be, or else it should have been supported.

People can argue about what was implied or what wasn't. The President obviously hoped the Iraqi people would rise up against Hussein. So did I. And I expected, after he had served his military up for lunch, that many of his troops would turn on him. Tragically I was wrong.

If GHWB intentionally misled those poor people with no plans to help them, then he would indeed be wrong. But I don't believe he did that. I think given Iraq's poor showing in Kuwait he expected the coup/revolution to succeed. I bet in hindsight he does regret publicly calling for an overthrow.

People can argue about what was implied or what wasn't. The President obviously hoped the Iraqi people would rise up against Hussein.

I think you need to follow the money to predict who will rebel against Saddam. Sadly, the most prosperous also owe the most to the current government. Not to mention the army.

When we look back at the fighting in a few months and ask whether it was worth it, we need to ask whether the oppressed benefitted -- not the upper middle class.

He also regrets our reading his lips. I know he blames Congress for that but the fact is he could have and should have stayed strong on that point by exposing demos' pork. By compromising in such a fundamental position, he ironically helped Willie and fostered cynicism.