Yeah, “caused” isn’t the right word. DOD eggheads called 9/11 a “black swan” event. Maybe so. However, Monday morning quarterbacking is inevitable after such an event. There were definitely steps that Bush (and most certainly Clinton) could have taken to halt 9/11 in place. The question is whether he knew if those steps even existed, let alone the threat.
Agreed. And I don't want to try to resolve the question here, and I'm not sure exactly where I stand on it, other than Bush could have done much better. Would it have prevented 9/11? Who knows, as you say, "black swan" is inevitable, and it's wrong to blame the person just because they happen to be there. back to the debate!!