White House promises 'smoking gun intelligence'

The Daily Telegraph ^ | January 16, 2003 | Toby Harnden

[MadIvan]

White House officials have reassured Republicans by signalling that America and Britain are prepared to release powerful intelligence evidence to cement the case for war against Iraq.

Andy Card, the White House chief of staff, and Karl Rove, President George W Bush's chief political strategist, have each indicated privately that the administration has proof that Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Card received blunt warnings from conservative Republican senators last week that Mr Bush had to produce a much more concrete case for war if he hoped to keep public support.

Senator Kit Bond of Missouri said more information should be released and asked: "What is the connection between Iraq and al-Qa'eda?" According to sources at the private meeting, Mr Card is understood to have urged him: "Don't worry."

Mr Rove is believed to have used similar language during private briefings to politicians in Washington.

He strongly suggested that the Bush administration already possesses a piece of intelligence from the CIA or MI6 that would amount to the "smoking gun" critics are calling for.

[patriciaruth]

Naw, I vote that Jim Jeffords be the one who is forced to hold up the cards with the Iraqi smoking gun.

[patriciaruth]

I have it wrong? Inauguration is the 20th and the SOTU is going to be the 28th?

Miss Marple, you may win the prize as usual.

[JohnGalt]

So you are suggesting that this is simply a manufactured disagreement to 'hype' whatever 'smoking gun' evidence the Bush team will release, and then the Senators will say, 'wow, now I am convinced'?

[patriciaruth]

An idle thought. I thought that Al Gore dropped out because he couldn't convince the big money men or the Chinese to finance his campaign. Now I wonder if someone hinted to him that Dubya had the smoking gun and he'd look like a fool on Iraq.

[patriciaruth]

And the Assault Weapons ban needs to sunset

When is it due to sunset?

I'd love to get a Stinger.

[jwalsh07]

I'm not suggesting anything, I'm stating facts. You're the one immersed in conjecture.

Did the senators sign the resolution or not? Did the resolution mention Al Qaeda or not? Does the senate leak like sieve or not? Is assuaging senate sensibilities worth one American soldier or intelligence agent?

You tell me.

[JohnGalt]

Hmmm, resolutions to use violence are not mentioned in my copy of the Consitution, so I guess we are in new ground.

[EternalVigilance]

Contrary to what pundits think, Bush is indeed extremely careful. However he has a knack of making the opposition believe he is bluffing when he is not..

Absolutely. They are careless and unthinking in their assumptions.

[jwalsh07]

Hmmm, resolutions to use violence are not mentioned in my copy of the Consitution, so I guess we are in new ground.

You're being historically and constitutionally challenged is not my problem. Barbary Pirates, Civil "War", War Powers Resolution. Search google.....

Or not.

[rintense]

I am making a few t-shirts to respond the Ms. Crow.

[rintense]

that would be respond TO Ms. Crow. It's early yet. Need more coffee.

[angkor]

Over the weekend, Tony Snow reported that they do have a smoking gun, but to announce it would cause the death of one or more high-level sources inside Iraq.

[philman_36]

Well pony that sucker up!

[stuartcr]

Of course there is evidence. Anyone that thinks we would go to all the effort and expense incurred with our recent troop movements, for no reason, or for a bluff, or the presidents ego, is a fool.

[ohioWfan]

This comes from a little blurb stuck in a New York paper that Laura Bush opposes the war

Is that why that strange old woman on Hannity and Colms was trying to get her to join in on their naked protest?

Sheesh!! How silly is it to think that any writer for this New York paper knows what Laura Bush tells her husband about the war?!

Media arrogance has gone beyond ridiculous.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Mr Bush needs to pull an Adelai Stevenson

Agree 100%. If, and I hope when, that happens, I'm behind Mr. Bush all the way.

[okie01]

"...for some there will never be enough evidence. They are waiting for the mushroom cloud."

Hoping for a mushroom cloud, even...

[Quilla]

I can't help but wonder what Bill Clinton has planned to divert attention from the SOTU address. Will it be as titillating as his 'blowing the sax' on Letterman to commemorate the anniversary of September 11th? Maybe he'll give another speech to drooling students at Georgetown University explaining how attacks against America are really our own fault.

I followed the link The Great Satan provided and read the Wall St. Journal article. Very strong arguments are presented that implicate Irag in the Oklahoma City and World Trade Center bombings. If true, Clinton's knowledge of the connection and apparent cover-up should be revealed. That revelation would be some smoking gun.

[quesera]

And I believe it's going to involve HUGE charts, map, and a pointer, do you?

Probably not, although I wish and would pay a week's salary for front row seats, just to see the egg on the dim's faces, especially Daschle, when the information is released. I'm hoping you're right though, time will tell.

[quesera]

It's less than 3 days from the SOTU speech to the new moon on the first. Works out kinda nice don't you think?

Exactly! Also, the inspectors are supposed to report to the SC on Jan 27, I believe. Then we have the SOTU speech, when the case against Saddam will be made further to the American People and the rest of the world, the President will also officially state that military action against Saddam is now the only option, since diplomacy will have failed.

Next stop, NK.