Daschle believes Iraq war justified (Big Daschle Backpedal)

Aberdeen American News (Daschle's home town paper) ^ | May 2, 2003 | Scott Waltman

[jwalburg]

The search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq should continue, but coalition forces don't need to find them to justify the war against Saddam Hussein.

That's the take of U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D.

"Regime change was a legitimate goal, it was accomplished and I think that's laudable in and of its own right,'' Daschle said Thursday.

''In 21 days we eliminated somebody who for 20 years has repressed and tortured his own people and posed a serious risk not only to his country, but to countries all over the world, including the United States,'' he added.

U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow, R-S.D., agreed.

"It's probably the grandest military success in the history of this country," Janklow said.

Janklow has always felt the war was justified. And as it progressed, he grew tired of those who doubted its outcome. He said Hussein supporters who went to Iraq to assist the dictator did coalition forces a favor. By doing so, they were easier to keep track of, he said.

On Wednesday, Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said the United States needs to enlist the help of the international community in rebuilding Iraq.

Iraq's oil production could be key to helping pay the costs, but oil-field equipment is in poor condition and there's no agreement on who owns the oil, Johnson said.

On Thursday, Daschle applauded the Bush administration's leadership during the war.

Just before the conflict started, Daschle criticized the president's failure to find a diplomatic alternative to war. Asked if he thought that would take a toll on his chances for re-election next year, he said, "I'll let that be decided by the voters of my state."

Daschle detractors: An outside group is trying to raise $800,000 to run ads against Daschle in the months to come in large part because of his pre-war comments.

Paul Erickson of Sioux Falls, a conservative political activist, is one of the men spearheading what's being called the Daschle Accountability Project. According to the Capitol Hill publication Roll Call, he said, "Everybody hates Daschle. His negatives are through the roof."

Erickson once represented John Wayne Bobbitt, whose then-wife Lorena cut off his penis in 1993, Roll Call reported.

In 1994, Erickson booked Bobbitt on what was called the "Love Hurts" tour. "No one who has come to instant celebrity will have systematically exploited as many avenues as John Wayne Bobbitt," Erickson said at the time.

Erickson said that Daschle doesn't represent South Dakota values. Asked by Roll Call whether the state's residents will think Bobbitt's former front man does, he said, "You're missing the point."

[jwalburg]

Asked if he thought that (His stupid comments about lack of diplomacy forcing us to war) would take a toll on his chances for re-election next year, he said, "I'll let that be decided by the voters of my state."

And the dead voters, too.

[JennysCool]

''In 21 days we eliminated somebody who for 20 years has repressed and tortured his own people..."

Err...ahh...What's this "we" stuff?

[sarasota]

This was reported in Daschel's hometown paper--think it will be picked up nationally?

[FryingPan101]

''In 21 days we eliminated somebody who for 20 years has repressed and tortured his own people and posed a serious risk not only to his country, but to countries all over the world, including the United States,''

Oh, Concerned One...what do you mean by "we?"

[abnegation]

Exactly, if Daschle had his way little kids would still be in prison, people would be executed and tortured and THE STUFF FROM THE MUSEUM WOULD BE SAFE.

[Tacis]

My bet is that Dashole has NOT changed his mind and is NOT backpeddling on anything. It is just that some one has paid his wife, the bag lady, a great deal of money for Tommie the Commie to do/say something else.

[wideawake]

I am deeply saddened that it took weeks for Daschle to realize how much he had damaged his career by his failed badmouthing of the President.

[jwalburg]

It will be carboned onto the AP wire in Pierre. Then the AP guys there will decide whether to send it on. If it goes to Washington, more AP guys will decide whether to distribute it nationally. Probably won't make it.

[M. Thatcher]

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I am really beginning to question the intelligence of the SD electorate. How can they stand by this man?

[jwalburg]

Farm subsidies.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Peter Jennings admitted last night that very few items of significant value were missing from the museum and that the really valuable ones had been stolen before the war started. It must have killed him to have to admit that.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

That chill I'm getting is Hell freezing over.

[VRWCmember]

"In 21 days we eliminated somebody who for 20 years has repressed and tortured his own people and posed a serious risk not only to his country, but to countries all over the world, including the United States," he added.

Even though you were "deeply saddened" when we began those 21 days, Tommy Tutu?

[RJL]

The search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq should continue, but coalition forces don't need to find them to justify the war against Saddam Hussein.

That's the take of U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D.

"Regime change was a legitimate goal, it was accomplished and I think that's laudable in and of its own right,'' Daschle said Thursday.

''In 21 days we eliminated somebody who for 20 years has repressed and tortured his own people and posed a serious risk not only to his country, but to countries all over the world, including the United States,'' he added.

We know Tom doesn’t really believe this. For Tom to put out this bullish pro-America statement...the polling numbers must be staggeringly good for President Bush.

[Uncle George]

FLASH--- Lightning strikes a little prick and he now "GETS IT".

[bandleader]

So now"Little Tommy DasHole"is"Little Tommy Johnny Came Lately DasHole"!!

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

My thoughts exactly. We - yeah right!

[IronJack]

Too little too late, Tommy. We've got you on tape. Time to call in a favor and see if you can line up a job selling second-hand farm implements. Your career is finished.

[Petronski]

"I am deeply
saddened that
I have to do this."