“Even after these training camps were found (which was near the beginning of the invasion) he continued to use the WMD threat.”
I have a couple of thoughts on the WMD issue as well. First, it was documented and filmed that Saddam used chemical weapons on a massive scale to kill hundreds of thousands of his own people (which to me qualify as WMDs - the public seemed to think only nukes were WMDs, but that’s wrong). Second, I totally believe that Saddam indeed had other WMDs - but so much time was wasted by, and because of, the UN that when inspectors FINALLY went in, Hussein had had more than enough notice and opportunity to transport them into Syria and elsewhere. Various kinds of labs were still found, though. DUH.
GW should’ve been more forceful on these arguments you and I have talked about, then maybe he wouldn’t have been so vilified. Before SH was executed, he admitted to his FBI interrogator (who’d won his confidence) that he had plans to rebuild his nuclear program in a big way. Even so, he was already plenty dangerous and the world’s better off without him.
I believe when it comes to terrorism and our national security, history will be much kinder to GW than his attackers on the Left are now.
I think he used the WMD argument with the United Nations.
With the American people (for their support) he used the Al Qaeda / Checks to Palestinian Families of Suicide Bombers argument.
And with other entities he used Saddam's refusal to abide by the cease-fire agreement argument.
Now, from what I remember they did find materials that could be considered WMD and I have no idea why Bush did not use those findings as an example after the fact.
Anyhow, even if there were no Sept 11th, even if there was no terrorist connection we were still justified because of Saddam's breaking the cease-fire and shooting at our aircraft enforcing the No-Fly Zone.
In the end, Bush seemed to have forgotten all the arguments except the WMD argument and somehow the definition of WMD changed to meaning only Nuclear Weapons.
I think there was a breakdown / failure in Bush PR department at some point after the war had started.