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Iraq war will cost Bush his presidency
Thestar ^ | 03/21/04 | Senator Ted Kennedy

Posted on 03/20/2004 11:18:59 PM PST by Pikamax

Iraq war will cost Bush his presidency America went to war in a dishonest way that alienated key allies, divided and weakened the U.N., outraged the world community, m

A year ago, the United States went to war in Iraq because President George W. Bush and his administration convinced Congress and the country that Saddam Hussein was an urgent threat that required immediate military action.

The nation has paid a high price for that decision ever since.

The case for war was based on two key claims: that Saddam was on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons, and that he had close ties to the Al Qaeda terrorists responsible for the atrocities of Sept. 11. Both claims proved to be demonstrably false. We can only speculate about the real reasons we went to war.

What is known, however, is that, at the time the decision was being made in the summer of 2002, Osama bin Laden was still at large, the war against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan had entered a troubled phase, our economy was reeling from recession, the president's approval rating in the Gallup Poll had declined from its peak of 90 per cent after Sept. 11 to 63 per cent by Labour Day 2002, and control of the Senate and House was at stake in the critical congressional elections in November that year.

Karl Rove, the president's political adviser, made it clear early on that the war on terrorism could be used politically.

At a Republican National Committee meeting on Jan. 19, 2002, he said, "We can go to the country on this issue, because they trust the Republican party to do a better job of protecting and strengthening America's military might and thereby protecting America."

The decision on Iraq was made in August, but the administration announced it in September. As White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. explained on Sept. 7, "From a marketing point of view, you don't introduce new products in August."

For maximum political impact, the administration insisted that Congress vote to authorize the war before adjourning that year for the November elections.

The president, as principal cheerleader for war, said on Sept. 25, 2002, "You can't distinguish between Al Qaeda and Saddam when you talk about the war on terror." On Oct. 2, he said the issue "is a threat of unique urgency."

On Oct. 7, he said, "facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof — the smoking gun — that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud."

On Oct. 10, the House approved the war resolution 296 to 133; the Senate approved it 77 to 23 the next day. Republicans voted overwhelmingly to authorize the war; the Democrats were deeply divided. A mushroom cloud. A threat of unique urgency. No distinction between Hussein and Al Qaeda. These were the administration's reasons, and none of them was true.

The Republicans prevailed in the 2002 elections and regained control of Congress, but it was a hollow victory. Presumably, the administration felt it could not persuade Congress to authorize the war on the basis of chemical and biological weapons alone, since Saddam's arsenal had been successfully contained for years.

The case for war depended on hyping the nuclear threat and ties to Al Qaeda. In fact, the intelligence community had poured cold water on both the nuclear threat and the Al Qaeda link before the war began.

CIA Director George Tenet stated in a speech last month that the agency told the administration before the war, "Saddam did not have a nuclear weapon, and probably would have been unable to make one until 2007 to 2009."

The ties to Al Qaeda were just as dubious. Before the war, the intelligence community found no co-operative relationship between Saddam and Al Qaeda. It had low confidence even in the prospect that, in desperation, Saddam might share chemical and biological weapons with Al Qaeda.

In February, 2003, FBI investigators said they had been baffled by the administration's insistence on a solid link. "We just don't think it's there," said one official.

The truth was there to see, but the administration refused to see it.

America went to war in a dishonest way that alienated key allies, divided and weakened the United Nations, outraged the world community, made us more hated in the world and made the war on terrorism more difficult to win. The decision on war or peace is the most important decision any president ever makes.

The prime minister of Spain paid a high price last Sunday for supporting us in the war, and for misleading the Spanish people. President Bush is likely to pay a similar high price in November.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ted Kennedy is a veteran Massachusetts Democrat.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: clueless; fantasy; kennedy; splash; tedkennedy; wishfulthinking
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To: Pikamax
You mean like killing Mary Jo cost you your Senate seat, Ted?
21 posted on 03/20/2004 11:35:25 PM PST by RichInOC (In a better world, Ted and Mike Skakel would be facing off in prison league golf right now.)
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To: Texasforever
You're absolutely right;unfortunately that's not the case.
22 posted on 03/20/2004 11:35:45 PM PST by nopardons
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To: Pikamax

TED KENNEDY ALERT!!

23 posted on 03/20/2004 11:36:07 PM PST by zarf (..where lieth those little things with the sort of raffia work base that has an attachment?)
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To: GeronL
Both claims are demonstrably false? Ok. Demonstrate.
24 posted on 03/20/2004 11:36:22 PM PST by Ingtar (Understanding is a three-edged sword : your side, my side, and the truth in between ." -- Kosh)
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To: Pikamax

Ted Kennedy is a veteran Massachusetts Democrat.


Hey "swimmer" how come you got away with running off a bridge and murder(drowning) of a young lady some years ago, and you did not lose your job which we're paying for?
Talk to Rumsfeldt about your problem, looser-man!
25 posted on 03/20/2004 11:37:43 PM PST by danamco
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To: Ingtar
For a second I thought you were challenging me to defend my position on something.

Which is something I cannot readily do because I just know whats what without any logical reasoning whatsoever. /kidding.

26 posted on 03/20/2004 11:40:10 PM PST by GeronL (http://www.ArmorforCongress.com......................Send a Freeper to Congress!)
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To: Utah Girl
Clinton went to war in Kosovo and that was not our war, and we had no business there at all.

If Bush erred on the side of caution, it is just fine with me, and Saddam should have been taken out during the last Gulf War.
27 posted on 03/20/2004 11:43:55 PM PST by tessalu
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To: Pikamax
Yeah, right. Our so-called "alienated" allies were in bed with the terrorists and the UN was directly involved in $$$ scandals skimming billions. Looks to me like the Iraq war should cost the UN its charter and should bring down France, Germany, Russia and the Democrat Party, if not the entire left. But, of course, it won't. It'll all be covered up by the Democrats and the shilling media.
28 posted on 03/20/2004 11:46:27 PM PST by Jim Robinson (warning: some parts of this post may be plagiarized - some parts may be sarcasm - no parts edible)
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To: Pikamax
Isn't well past Kennedy's retirement? They put ill dogs to sleep don't they
29 posted on 03/20/2004 11:48:37 PM PST by Jon1679
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To: Jon1679
Why is Ted Kennedy allowed to be a Senator?

REMEMBER CHAPPAQUIDDICK!
30 posted on 03/20/2004 11:51:23 PM PST by oolatec
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To: Pikamax
" Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge—and more."

I wonder who said that? Hmmmmm.....

My first post, hope I did it right.

31 posted on 03/20/2004 11:55:08 PM PST by Power Engineer
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To: Pikamax
Uncle Ted thinks America is Spain. Wow - talk about living in the liberal hothouse of Massachusetts for nearly half a century and he has no clue to what the rest of America actually thinks. When he isn't looking down another empty bottle of liquor. Hey Uncle Ted, save your misguided criticism for someone who actually cares!
32 posted on 03/20/2004 11:56:04 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Pikamax
These tirades from Kerry and Kennedy almost make me physically ill. I have never seen such a hateful, venomous campaign. And of course the resentful, craven Euro-weasels will lap it up. The fact that the media will spew his vitriol over and over, makes rational political discourse nearly impossible. The stakes for our survival have never been higher, and it seems we're being attacked by both domestic and foreign fanatics.
33 posted on 03/20/2004 11:57:49 PM PST by lainde (Heads up...We're coming and we've got tongue blades!!)
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To: Pikamax
The case for war was based on two key claims: that Saddam was on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons, and that he had close ties to the Al Qaeda terrorists responsible for the atrocities of Sept. 11. Both claims proved to be demonstrably false. We can only speculate about the real reasons we went to war.

Well without the war we wouldn't know that, now would we?
We would STILL be patrolling the no-fly zones.
The UN would STILL be ripping off the world with the food-for-graft program.
Iraqis would STILL be dropping dead at a far greater rate than they are now.
And some Blixite would STILL be looking for weapons there.

I respect and symapthize with the losses our serviceman have taken but I also sleep better knowing that one stinking pile of dog-doo has been cleaned up in this stinking world and for that I thank my President and our Armed Forces.

34 posted on 03/21/2004 12:00:08 AM PST by this_ol_patriot
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To: goldstategop


Yeah Ted, the President just looks petrified with fear.  LOL
If only they'd cut off Ted's liquor tab...


35 posted on 03/21/2004 12:01:11 AM PST by DoughtyOne
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To: Jim Robinson
Then you must have missed the nuance in Old Ted's post. Nuance is real big in Massachusetts. They put it on everything.
36 posted on 03/21/2004 12:02:42 AM PST by Texasforever (I am all flamed out.)
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To: Pikamax
So Teddy is inviting the terrorist to hit the CONUS in order to drive Bush from office in the same manner ? Now if (when) that happens we have a duty to ensure that Kennedy joins his brothers after being tried and hung for sedition.

Stay Safe.........

37 posted on 03/21/2004 12:06:44 AM PST by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.)
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To: Texasforever
>>Nuance is real big in Massachusetts.

Nuance...is that a synonym for bovine scat?

38 posted on 03/21/2004 12:08:39 AM PST by Keith in Iowa (Democrats are the real asses of evil.)
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To: Pikamax
"A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage!" – Herbert Hoover

"A snorkel in every car and a neckbrace to discourage questions!" - Ted Kennedy
39 posted on 03/21/2004 12:10:10 AM PST by Solamente
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To: Keith in Iowa
Well in Texas we scrape it off our boots.
40 posted on 03/21/2004 12:10:32 AM PST by Texasforever (I am all flamed out.)
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