Posted on 03/18/2003 9:29:39 AM PST by PhiKapMom
Speaker's Press Office
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement of Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert
Regarding Senator Daschle's Comments on the War
"I'm saddened that the president failed so miserably at diplomacy that we are now forced into war," Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) told union workers yesterday.
(Washington D.C.) Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert responded to the above comments of Senator Daschle today:
"I was disappointed to see Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle's comments regarding the upcoming military action in Iraq. Those comments may not undermine the President as he leads us into war, and they may not give comfort to our adversaries, but they come mighty close.
"Senator Daschle has spent more time criticizing the leadership of President Bush than he has spent criticizing the tyranny of Saddam Hussein. Mr. Hussein is the reason we are at this moment in history. Saddam Hussein has a long history of brutality, a long track record of harboring weapons of mass destruction and supporting terrorists and terrorist organizations. He has terrorized his neighbors and his own citizens. He has made a mockery out of the United Nations for twelve years now, and because the United Nations will not act to protect its integrity, we will act for it."
"Make no mistake, Saddam Hussein is to blame for this war. This war is only necessary because Saddam Hussein refuses to disarm, refuses to leave power, and refuses to stop his brutal ways. I would hope that at this time of crisis, we will all work together to support our troops and our President as we move forward to remove Saddam Hussein from power."
# # #
How many people remember that in 1998 former President Clinton signed the Iraqi Liberation Act which called for the use of military force and a regime change? At the time, Clinton stated: "What if Saddam fails to comply and we fail to act or we take some third ambiguous route that gives him more opportunities to build up his arsenal of mass destruction? What will happen is the international community will lack the will to see this through to the end. And if he develops that arsenal, he will, I guarantee you, someday use them." Senator Daschle's response in 1998 to approving the use of force included: "Look, we have exhausted virtually all our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply with their own agreements and with international law. Given that, what other option is there but to force them to do so? The answer is, we don't have another option. We have got to force them to comply, and we are doing so militarily." And what is Daschle saying now? Now that we have a Republican in the White House who is finally going to do what Clinton should have done ten years ago? Daschle says that he’s “.. saddened that this president failed so miserably at diplomacy that we’re now forced to go to war.” The level of hypocrisy is troubling, especially as we are on the brink of war. This is partisan politics at its worst
Senator Daschle,As a mother who has a son in the military, I find your comments blaming President Bush for a failed diplomacy just slightly short of treasonous. You are indeed giving comfort to the enemy, and emboldening all who would threaten us.
Apparently you don't realize that the majority of the American citizens support our president, and believe that the steps he has taken are an unfortunate necessity to ensure our children don't carry a bigger burden.
No one wants war, but it wasn't our choice. It was Saddam Hussein's choice when he continued for 12 years to flaunt the many UN resolutions calling for his disarmament.
I support this war because I feel certain that more delay and appeasement will allow him to become stronger, assist other terrorist regimes and groups who want to harm us on our own soil, and will ultimately cost even more lives, here at home and in our military, if we wait.
You do not speak for me and most other Americans.
You have continually taken cheap shots at our president to promote your own agenda, which is to regain power in the Senate. It is clear to all thinking Americans that you are no patriot. You are a prostitute for the Democrat party.
Usually I just ignore your petty rants. This time you have gone too far.
You are either with us, or against us. You have shown us that you are not on the side of the USA, and I hope your electorate in South Dakota sees this, too.
Thanks for the link, info!
Oh, I agree 100%! They are their own worst enemies and don't even realize it!
He's up for re-election in 2004, they don't need to bother with a recall, but they DO need to have a good Repub. to run against him. I think John Thune's actions after the last election was stolen from him were VERY gentlemanly, and should hold him in good stead with the voters. He just has to be a little LESS than gentlemanly with Little Tommy. He needs to remind the voters of S. Dakota EVERY DAY of the campaign about Daschle's duplicity!
Not that a shoe that small is any hindrance in a mouth that big.
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