“Suicidal glory is the luxury of the irresponsible. We're not giving up. We're waiting for a better opportunity to win.”
Â
" I don't think I've ever met a Liberal whom I didn't like on a personal basis. That said, if your goal is to change minds and influence people, it's probably not a good idea to begin by asserting that virtually all elected Democrats are liars. But what the hell."
IRAQ & WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: WHAT THE DEMOCRATS SAID AND WHEN THEY SAID IT
(This document was distributed today at the Senate Republican Policy Lunch.) Video
SEN.
EDWARD KENNEDY: "What Was Said Before Does Matter. The President's
Words Matter. The Vice President's Words Matter. So Do Those Of The
Secretary Of State And The Secretary Of Defense And Other High
Officials In The Administration." (Sen. Edward Kennedy, Congressional Record, 11/10/05)
Executive Summary: Democrats Consistently Warned The Nation Of The Threat Posed By Iraq's Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Democrats, Circa 1998
-- President Bill Clinton: "[M]ark my words, [Saddam] will develop weapons of mass destruction. He will deploy them, and he will use them." -- Vice President Al Gore: "Saddam's ability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction poses a grave threat ... to the security of the world." -- Secretary Of State Madeleine Albright: "[W]e are concerned ... about [Saddam's] ability in the long run ... to threaten all of us with weapons of mass destruction." -- National Security Adviser Sandy Berger:
"[Saddam] will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, and
someday, some way, I am certain, he will use that arsenal again." -- U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson: "Facts are facts. Iraq has been deceiving the international community with the weaponization of nerve gas. It's that simple." -- Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.): "[Saddam] is too dangerous of a man to be given carte blanche with weapons of mass destruction." -- Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.): "[Saddam's] chemical and biological weapons capabilities are frightening."
Democrats, Circa 2002
-- Former Vice President Al Gore: "We know that [Saddam] has stored away secret supplies of biological weapons and chemical weapons throughout his country." -- Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.): "We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.): "Saddam's existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose real threats to America today, tomorrow." -- Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.): "These weapons represent an unacceptable threat." -- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.):
"Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capability to wage
biological and chemical warfare and will keep trying to develop nuclear
weapons."
FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON
President
Bill Clinton Called Iraq "A Rogue State With Weapons Of Mass
Destruction, Ready To Use Them Or Provide Them To Terrorists..."
CLINTON: "In the next century, the community of nations may see more
and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now -- a rogue state
with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to
terrorists, drug traffickers, or organized criminals who travel the
world among us unnoticed. If we fail to respond today, Saddam, and all
those who would follow in his footsteps, will be emboldened tomorrow by
the knowledge that they can act with impunity, even in the face of a
clear message from the United Nations Security Council, and clear
evidence of a weapons of mass destruction program." (Bill Clinton, Remarks At The Pentagon, 2/17/98)
Clinton,
On Saddam's WMD: "Some Day, Some Way, I Guarantee You He'll Use The
Arsenal. And I Think Every One Of You Who Has Really Worked On This For
Any Length Of Time, Believes That, Too." CLINTON: "[L]et's imagine
the future. What if he fails to comply and we fail to act, or we take
some ambiguous third route, which gives him yet more opportunities to
develop this program of weapons of mass destruction and continue to
press for the release of the sanctions and continue to ignore the
solemn commitments that he made? Well, he will conclude that the
international community has lost its will. He will then conclude that
he can go right on and do more to rebuild an arsenal of devastating
destruction. And some day, some way, I guarantee you he'll use the
arsenal. And I think every one of you who has really worked on this for
any length of time, believes that, too." (Bill Clinton, Remarks At The Pentagon, 2/17/98)
Clinton, On Saddam: "[M]ark My Words, He Will Develop Weapons Of Mass Destruction. He Will Deploy Them, And He Will Use Them." (Bill Clinton, Remarks At The White House, 12/16/98)
In
November 1997, Clinton Directed Then-Secretary Of Defense William Cohen
To "Raise The Profile Of The Biological And Chemical Threat."
"Cohen, meanwhile, was arguing that a true U.S. vital interest -- and
one that could easily be explained in public -- was Iraqi weapons of
mass destruction, often referred to in abbreviated terms as WMD.
Clinton directed him on Nov. 13 to raise the profile of the biological
and chemical threat. The following day, the former senator from Maine
held a five-pound bag of sugar on ABC's This Week Sunday
program and said the same quantity of anthrax could kill half the
population of Washington." (Barton Gellman, Dana Priest and Bradley
Graham, "Diplomacy And Doubts On The Road To War," The Washington Post, 3/1/98)
Cohen, Following Clinton's Orders On ABC's This Week: "What Is On The Horizon Is Anthrax, VX, Sarin, And Other Types Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction."
COHEN: "All of his neighbors in the region, I think, are fearful of
what Saddam Hussein has done in the past and apprehensive of what he
might do in the future. We intend to intensify that apprehension on
their part by showing it's not invasion of Kuwait, it's not invasion of
Saudi Arabia that's on the horizon. What is on the horizon is anthrax,
VX, sarin, and other types of weapons of mass destruction." (ABC's This Week, 11/16/97)
Clinton: "I Have No Doubt Today, That Left Unchecked, Saddam Hussein Will Use These Terrible Weapons Again."
CLINTON: "Other countries possess weapons of mass destruction and
ballistic missiles. With Saddam, there is one big difference: He has
used them, not once, but repeatedly. Unleashing chemical weapons
against Iranian troops during a decade-long war. Not only against
soldiers, but against civilians, firing Scud missiles at the citizens
of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran. And not only against a
foreign enemy, but even against his own people, gassing Kurdish
civilians in Northern Iraq. The international community had little
doubt then, and I have no doubt today, that left unchecked, Saddam
Hussein will use these terrible weapons again." (Bill Clinton, Remarks
At The White House, 12/16/98)
Clinton Insisted Saddam Sat Atop The List Of "Predators Of The 21st Century."
CLINTON: "[T]his is not a time free from peril, especially as a result
of reckless acts of outlaw nations and an unholy axis of terrorists,
drug traffickers and organized international criminals. We have to
defend our future from these predators of the 21st century, ... [T]hey
will be all the more lethal if we allow them to build arsenals of
nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver
them. We simply cannot allow that to happen. There is no more clear
example of this threat than Saddam Hussein's Iraq. His regime threatens
the safety of his people, the stability of his region and the security
of all the rest of us." (Bill Clinton, Remarks At The Pentagon, 2/17/98)
FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE
Vice
President Al Gore Claimed "Saddam's Ability To Produce And Deliver
Weapons Of Mass Destruction Poses A Grave Threat ... To The Security Of
The World." GORE: "There should be no doubt, Saddam's ability to
produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction poses a grave threat to
the peace of that region and the security of the world. His defiance of
the will of the international community to allow UNSCOM to do its job
cannot and will not be tolerated." (Al Gore, Remarks At The Pentagon,
2/17/98)
Gore: "If You Allow Someone Like Saddam Hussein To
Get Nuclear Weapons, Ballistic Missiles, Chemical Weapons, Biological
Weapons, How Many People Is He Going To Kill…?" GORE: "[I]f you
allow someone like Saddam Hussein to get nuclear weapons, ballistic
missiles, chemical weapons, biological weapons, how many people is he
going to kill with such weapons? He's already demonstrated a
willingness to use these weapons; he poison gassed his own people. He
used poison gas and other weapons of mass destruction against his
neighbors. This man has no compunctions about killing lots and lots of
people." (CNN's Larry King Live, 12/16/98)
When
Discussing Saddam's Iraq, Gore Invoked The Specter Of "Ballistic
Missiles, Nuclear Weapons, Chemical And Biological Weapons."
"Remember, Peter, this is a man who has used poison gas on his own
people and on his neighbors repeatedly. He's trying to get ballistic
missiles, nuclear weapons, chemical and biological weapons. He could be
a mass murderer of the first order of magnitude. We are not going to
allow that to happen." (ABC News' "Special Report," 12/16/98)
Gore,
In 2002: "We Know That [Saddam] Has Stored Away Secret Supplies Of
Biological Weapons And Chemical Weapons Throughout His Country." (Al Gore, Remarks To The Commonwealth Club Of California, San Francisco, CA, 9/23/02)
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT
Secretary
Of State Madeleine Albright Said Saddam "Had The Capability With The VX
Agents To Destroy Every Man, Woman And Child On Earth." ALBRIGHT:
"Weapons of mass destruction are the threat of the future. I think the
president explained very clearly to the American people that this is
the threat of the 21st century. It's hard to control, hard to get at,
that we need to – you know, Saddam Hussein had the capability with
the VX agents to destroy every man, woman and child on earth. So we
have a serious problem here. He is a threat." (PBS' The Newshour With Jim Lehrer, 12/17/98)
Albright:
"[W]e Are Concerned, As The President Said, About [Saddam's] Ability In
The Long Run To Threaten His Neighbors, And Frankly, To Threaten All Of
Us With Weapons Of Mass Destruction." (CNN's "Larry King Live," 12/16/98)
Albright Accused Saddam Of Pursuing Dual Threats To International Peace: Terrorism And Weapons Of Mass Destruction.
ALBRIGHT: "Countering terror is one aspect of our struggle to maintain
international security and peace. Limiting the dangers posed by weapons
of mass destruction is a second. Saddam Hussein's Iraq encompasses both
of these challenges, while posing yet a third. .. As we look ahead, we
will decide how and when to respond to Iraq's actions based on the
threat they pose to Iraq's neighbors, to regional security and to U.S.
vital interests. Our assessment will include Saddam's capacity to
reconstitute, use or threaten to use weapons of mass destruction."
(Madeleine Albright, Remarks At The American Legion Convention, New
Orleans, LA, 9/9/98)
Albright: "[Saddam] Has Chosen To Spend His Money On Building Weapons Of Mass Destruction And Palaces For His Cronies." (Madeleine Albright, Remarks To The Chicago Council On Foreign Relations, Chicago, IL, 11/12/99)
Albright
Justified A December 1998 Attack On Iraq As A Way To Increase America's
Security And "Deal With The Threat" Of Saddam's Weapons. ALBRIGHT:
"President Clinton felt very strongly that it was in our national
security interest to deal with the threat that Saddam Hussein's weapons
of mass destruction, their capability, their future capability of
threatening us, the neighbors, the regional stability with them, and
that we had a responsibility as the United States to deal with a threat
of this kind." (CNN's "Early Edition," 12/18/98)
Albright
Argued Saddam's Pursuit Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction And His
Insistence On Lifting Economic Sanctions Was An "Incompatible Position."
ALBRIGHT: "The purpose of it ... is to degrade Saddam Hussein's ability
to develop and deliver weapons of mass destruction, and to degrade his
ability to threaten his neighbors. And the targets are related to that.
They're going after weapons of mass destruction facilities, after
military facilities, command and control security. ... [T]his is
because Saddam Hussein has insisted that he wants to keep his weapons
of mass destruction and have sanctions lifted, a clearly incompatible
position." (NBC's Today, 12/18/98)
Albright Said The
Risk That Rogue State Leaders Like Saddam "Will Use Nuclear, Chemical
Or Biological Weapons Against Us Or Our Allies Is The Greatest Security
Threat We Face." ALBRIGHT: "Iraq is a long way from [America], but
what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risk that the
leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological
weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we
face. And it is a threat against which we must and will stand firm. In
discussing Iraq, we begin by knowing that Saddam Hussein, unlike any
other leader, has used weapons of mass destruction even against his own
people." (CNN's "Showdown With Iraq: International Town Meeting,"
2/18/98)
FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER
National
Security Adviser Sandy Berger Said Saddam "Will Rebuild His Arsenal Of
Weapons Of Mass Destruction, And Someday, Some Way, I Am Certain, He
Will Use That Arsenal Again." BERGER: "Some have suggested that we
should basically turn away. We should close our eyes to this effort to
create a safe haven for weapons of mass destruction. But imagine the
consequences if Saddam fails to comply and we fail to act. Saddam will
be emboldened believing the international community has lost its will.
He will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, and
someday, some way, I am certain, he will use that arsenal again as he
has 10 times since 1983." (CNN's "Showdown With Iraq: International
Town Meeting," 2/18/98)
Berger: "In The 21st Century, The
Community Of Nations May See More And More Of This Very Kind Of Threat
That Iraq Poses Now, A Rogue State With Biological And Chemical
Weapons." (CNN's "Showdown With Iraq: International Town Meeting," 2/18/98)
Berger Claimed It Was "Up To Saddam To Decide Whether He Wants Sanctions Relief By Giving Up His Weapons Of Mass Destruction."
BERGER: "[I]n December, Saddam Hussein once again broke his commitment
to cooperate with the U.N. inspectors, ignoring our warnings. The
United States, together with our British allies, responded with
military force. We attacked Iraq's program to develop and deliver
weapons of mass destruction and his capacity to threaten his neighbors,
but we have not eliminated the danger and our resolve to curb the
threat Saddam poses will not diminish. … It is up to Saddam to decide
whether he wants sanctions relief by giving up his weapons of mass
destruction." (Sandy Berger, Remarks To Carnegie Endowment
Non-Proliferation Conference, Washington, DC, 1/12/99)
Berger: "I Think The Question Is Whether, Ultimately, Iraq Will Get Rid Of Its Weapons Of Mass Destruction." (CBS' This Morning, 11/16/98)
OTHER HIGH OFFICIALS IN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION
Former Secretary Of State Warren Christopher Said Saddam Developed And Used WMD And Sponsored "Countless Acts Of Terrorism."
"The record is, unfortunately, all too clear. Saddam has threatened and
invaded his neighbors, developed and used weapons of mass destruction,
sponsored countless acts of terrorism, and for the last two decades, he
has relentlessly persecuted the Kurds and the Shiites. When Saddam
tests the will and resolve of the international community, our response
must be and will be forceful and immediate." (Warren Christopher,
Remarks In Washington, DC, 9/3/96)
U.N. Ambassador Bill
Richardson Linked Saddam To Anthrax, VX And Botulism, Warning Those
Weapons Might "Get In The Hands Of Terrorists That Saddam Is
Supporting." RICHARDSON: "We're [sic] what the American people
want: contain Saddam Hussein from going after his neighbors, but also,
go after these deadly weapons of anthrax, VX, botulisms, some that are
very, very big threats to future generations of children, not just in
the Persian Gulf and the Middle East, but around the world, if they get
in the hands of terrorists that Saddam is supporting." (CNN's "Larry
King Live," 2/18/98)
Richardson:
"Facts Are Facts. Iraq Has Been Deceiving The International Community
With The Weaponization Of Nerve Gas. It's That Simple." (Michel Leclercq, "UN Inspector Says Iraq Equipped Weapons With Lethal Gas," Agence France Presse, 6/24/98)
State
Department Spokesman Jamie Rubin: Saddam Had "Relentlessly Deceived And
Obstructed Efforts ... To Identify And Destroy Iraq's Weapons Of Mass
Destruction." RUBIN: "[W]e have a lot of experience dealing with
Saddam Hussein. For over seven years, their leadership has relentlessly
deceived and obstructed efforts by the international community to
identify and destroy Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein
has misled fellow Arab leaders about his intention to invade Kuwait. He
lied to UNSCOM when he said that he did not weaponize VX ... Iraq's
leadership has never expressed regret or remorse for his past actions,
which include gassing his own people and invading Kuwait. We do not
believe he has renounced his aggression or using the most ruthless and
barbaric means to achieve it." (Jamie Rubin, State Department Press
Briefing, 11/10/98)
Rubin: "If We Fail To Act, He Will Feel Emboldened To Threaten The Region Further, Armed With Weapons Of Mass Destruction."
RUBIN: "Saddam Hussein is not an abstract threat. He has fired Scuds at
his neighbors, attacked Kuwait, used chemical weapons on Iran and his
own people. UNSCOM has shown, through its work, that he developed
massive quantities of chemical and biological weapons and weaponized
those weapons for delivery by Scud missiles. He has still not accounted
for all these dangerous weapons. ... [I]f he continues to block UNSCOM
and we do not respond, he will be able to reconstitute his weapons of
mass destruction in a matter of months, not years. And if we fail to
act, he will feel emboldened to threaten the region further, armed with
weapons of mass destruction." (Jamie Rubin, State Department Press
Briefing, 11/10/98)
Former
Clinton Adviser Rahm Emanuel Called It "Insulting" That Anyone Would
Question Clinton's '98 Airstrikes "Given Everything Saddam Has Done."
EMANUEL: "And I think that if you really look at this, Larry, that it
is wrong, and I think it's insulting to the American people's
intelligence, insulting to the men and women and professional
professors [sic?] in our country, and I think it's detrimental to our
foreign policy to really kind of question why we would go, given
everything that Saddam Hussein has done over the years. We gave him one
last chance." (CNN's Larry King Live, 12/16/98)
DURING
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, LEADING DEMOCRAT SENATORS CAUTIONED
AMERICANS ABOUT THE THREAT POSED BY IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
In
1998, Sen. Carl Levin And Twenty-Six Other Senators Urged President
Clinton "To Take Necessary Actions" In Response To Iraq's Weapons Of
Mass Destruction Programs. LEVIN: "Mr. President, today, along with
Senators McCain, Lieberman, Hutchison and twenty-three other Senators,
I am sending a letter to the President to express our concern over
Iraq's actions and urging the President 'after consulting with
Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take
necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes
on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by
Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.'" (Sen.
Carl Levin, Congressional Record, 10/9/98)
Fourteen
Democrats, Including Then-Senate Democrat Leader Tom Daschle And 2004
Presidential Nominee John Kerry, Signed The Letter To President Clinton: ("Letter To President Clinton," as Entered Into The Congressional Record By Sen. Carl Levin, 10/9/98)
Carl Levin (D-Mich.) Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.) Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) Thomas Daschle (D-S.D.) John Breaux (D-La.) Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) Mary Landrieu (D-La.) Wendell Ford (D-Ky.) John Kerry (D-Mass.)
Former Senate Democrat Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) Warned Of The Danger Of Saddam's Weapons Of Mass Destruction.
DASCHLE: "Iraq's actions pose a serious and continued threat to
international peace and security. It is a threat we must address....
Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass
destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them
against his own people. It is essential that a dictator like Saddam not
be allowed to evade international strictures and wield frightening
weapons of mass destruction." (Sen. Tom Daschle, Congressional Record, 2/12/98)
After
The 1998 Bombing Of Iraq, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Warned Against
"Partisan Finger-Pointing" And Said Saddam Was "Too Dangerous ... To Be
Given Carte Blanche With Weapons Of Mass Destruction." "We had to
attack. [President Clinton] had to do what his military advisors told
him he should do,' said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. ... [A]dded Reid, 'Now
is not the time for second-guessing or partisan finger-pointing.
National security concerns must come first.' Saddam Hussein �is too
dangerous of a man to be given carte blanche with weapons of mass
destruction,' he added." (Brendan Riley, "Nevada Leaders React To Iraq
Bombing," The Associated Press, 12/26/98)
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) Argued That Saddam "Obviously" Was Working, "Secretly And Otherwise," On Weapons Of Mass Destruction.
KERRY: "Mr. President, over the years, a consensus has developed within
the international community that the production and use of weapons of
mass destruction has to be halted. We and others worked hard to develop
arms control regimes toward that end, but obviously Saddam Hussein's
goal is to do otherwise. Iraq and North Korea and others have made it
clear that they are still trying, secretly and otherwise, to develop
those weapons." (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/10/98)
Kerry Said Saddam Used Weapons Of Mass Destruction In The Past And Wanted "To Try ... To Continue To Do So."
"Saddam Hussein has already used these weapons and has made it clear
that he has the intent to continue to try, by virtue of his duplicity
and secrecy, to continue to do so. ... It is a threat with respect to
the potential of terrorist activities on a global basis." (Sen. John
Kerry, Press Conference, 2/23/98)
Following
A Briefing By Clinton Administration Officials, Sen. Richard Durbin
(D-Ill.) Said Saddam's "Chemical And Biological Weapons Capabilities"
Were "Frightening." "At a Capitol Hill briefing Tuesday night,
administration officials showed that �Saddam Hussein continues to be
clear threat to the security of the region and to many of our allies,'
Durbin said. �His chemical and biological weapons capabilities are
frightening. We have to take his refusal to allow inspections very
seriously.'" (Dori Meinert, "Durbin To Support Limited Approval For
Military Force Against Iraq," Copley News Service, 2/4/98)
Sen.
Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) Believed The Peace Of "Much Of The World" Was
At Risk If Iraq Was Allowed To Protect Its "Biological, Chemical And
Nuclear Weapons." "'Time and time again Iraq has flouted the
efforts of our nation and the international community to bring peace to
the Persian Gulf,' said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va. �With the peace
of the region and, and in fact, much of the world at risk, we cannot
allow Iraq to continue its maneuvers designed to protect such a
dangerous buildup of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.'" (John
Raby, "Congressmen Support U.S. Bombing Of Iraq," The Associated Press,
12/16/98)
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.): "Saddam Hussein's
Weapons Of Mass Destruction Programs And The Means To Deliver Them Are
A Menace To International Peace And Security." LEVIN: "Saddam
Hussein's weapons of mass destruction programs and the means to deliver
them are a menace to international peace and security. They pose a
threat to Iraq's neighbors, to U.S. forces in the Gulf region, to the
world's energy supplies, and to the integrity and credibility of the
United Nations Security Council." (Sen. Carl Levin, Congressional Record, 2/12/98)
Levin Spoke Of Gallons Of Anthrax And Tons Of VX, Noting Iraq Had Denied Possessing Such Weapons.
LEVIN: "[I]t was only after there was a defector, Saddam Hussein's own
son- in-law defected and said, look here, here, here, and here that
then Iraq said oh, yes, we have 2100 gallons of anthrax. By the way,
one spore, less than a drop of anthrax kills within days. 2100 gallons
and then the U.N. went in and destroyed that. Same thing with the
chemical VX; 3.9 million tons of this chemical. One drop kills
instantaneously -- was denied by Iraq. The U.N. ... believes that he
has 20 tons plus more of VX and six thousand gallons more of anthrax."
(CNN's Larry King Live, 2/16/98)
Sen.
Joe Biden (D-Del.) Issued Grave Warnings About Iraq's WMD, Citing
Chemical And Biological Weapons As Well As Anthrax-Tipped Missiles.
"First and foremost, an Iraq left free to develop weapons of mass
destruction would pose a grave threat to our national security. The
current regime in Iraq has ... displayed a callous willingness to use
chemical weapons to achieve its aims. Recently, we have heard chilling
reports of possible biological weapons experiments on humans. An UNSCOM
Inspector has spoken of information that points to a secret biological
weapons production facility. And Ambassador Richard Butler has told us
that Iraq could well have missile warheads filled with anthrax capable
of striking Tel Aviv. An asymmetric capability of nuclear, chemical,
and biological weapons gives an otherwise weak country the power to
intimidate and blackmail." (Sen. Joseph Biden, Congressional Record, 2/12/98)
Due
To Saddam's Efforts To Assemble Biological, Nuclear And Chemical
Weapons, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) Argued In 1999 That Clinton
"Ended The Bombings Too Soon." "Senator Schumer is taking issue
with several recent decisions of the Clinton administration on Middle
Eastern affairs, despite his close association with the president and
first lady. ... Schumer said America should renew its bombing campaign
against Iraq ... A renewed bombing campaign against Iraq would show
Saddam Hussein the price he must pay for his lack of cooperation and
would inhibit Iraq's ability to assemble biological, nuclear and
chemical weapons, Mr. Schumer said. 'The president ended the bombings
too soon.'" (Uriel Heilman, "Schumer Says Clinton Should Resume Bombing
Targets In Iraq," Forward, 1/29/99)
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
(D-Calif.) Warned That Military Action Against Saddam's Regime "Must
Deal A Major Setback" To Iraq's "Weapons Of Mass Destruction Program."
"Feinstein also said that for the attack against Iraq to be successful,
the air strikes must �destroy the weapons of mass-destruction
facilities and supplies that the thwarted inspections were designed to
find...' �At the very least,' she added, �Operation Desert Fox must
deal a major setback to the weapons of mass destruction program that
has been in development by Saddam Hussein.'" (Stephen Green, "Feinstein
Initially Questioned Attack's Timing," Copley News Service, 12/17/98)
DRAWING
UPON INTELLIGENCE PROVIDED BY TWO ADMINISTRATIONS, DEMOCRAT SENATORS
CONTINUED TO OPENLY DISCUSS THE DANGER POSED BY IRAQ'S WEAPONS
Sen.
Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Acknowledged Iraq Breached The 1991 Armistice
Agreement By Refusing To Destroy Its Stockpiles Of Weapons. REID:
"We stopped the fighting [in 1991] based on an agreement that Iraq
would take steps to assure the world that it would not engage in
further aggression and that it would destroy its weapons of mass
destruction. It has refused to take those steps. That refusal
constitutes a breach of the armistice which renders it void and
justifies resumption of the armed conflict." (Sen. Harry Reid,
Congressional Record, 10/9/02)
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.):
"We Have Known For Many Years That Saddam Hussein Is Seeking And
Developing Weapons Of Mass Destruction." (Sen. Edward Kennedy, Remarks At Johns Hopkins School Of Advanced International Studies, 10/27/02)
Sen.
Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.): "Saddam's Existing Biological And Chemical
Weapons Capabilities Pose Real Threats To America Today, Tomorrow."
ROCKEFELLER: "We must eliminate that [potential nuclear] threat now
before it is too late. But that isn't just a future threat. Saddam's
existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose real threats
to America today, tomorrow. … [He] is working to develop delivery
systems like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that could bring
these deadly weapons against U.S. forces and U.S. facilities in the
Middle East. He could make these weapons available to many terrorist
groups, third parties, which have contact with his government. Those
groups, in turn, could bring those weapons into the United States and
unleash a devastating attack against our citizens. I fear that
greatly." (Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) Believed Saddam's "Arsenal Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction" Represented "An Unacceptable Threat."
KERRY: "The Iraqi regime's record over the decade leaves little doubt
that Saddam Hussein wants to retain his arsenal of weapons of mass
destruction and, obviously, as we have said, grow it. These weapons
represent an unacceptable threat." (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/9/02)
Kerry:
"According To The CIA's Report, All U.S. Intelligence Experts Agree
That Iraq Is Seeking Nuclear Weapons. There Is Little Question That
Saddam Hussein Wants To Develop Nuclear Weapons." (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/9/02)
Sen.
Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) Warned That -- If Left Unchecked -- Saddam
Would Continue To Increase His Unconventional Weaponry And Even Develop
Nuclear Weapons. CLINTON: "In the four years since the inspectors,
intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his
chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability,
and his nuclear program. ... It is clear, however, that if left
unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capability to
wage biological and chemical warfare and will keep trying to develop
nuclear weapons." (Sen. Hillary Clinton, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)
Sen.
Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) Said Saddam Was A "Terrible Danger" To America
Because Of His "Vigorous Pursuit" Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction.
SCHUMER: "[It] is Hussein's vigorous pursuit of biological, chemical
and nuclear weapons, and his present and potential future support for
terrorist acts and organizations, that make him a terrible danger to
the people to the United States." (Sen. Charles Schumer, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)
Sen.
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) Claimed To "Understand The Grave Danger Posed To
America ... By Weapons Of Mass Destruction In The Hands Of A Reckless
Dictator Like Saddam Hussein." "Saddam Hussein is a brutal
dictator, who has brought nothing but pain and suffering to the Iraqi
people and threat and instability to his neighbors throughout the
Persian Gulf and the Middle East. ... I understand the grave danger
posed to America and the whole international community by weapons of
mass destruction in the hands of a reckless dictator like Saddam
Hussein." (Sen. Tom Harkin, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)
Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) Announced In 2002 That Within Five Years Saddam Would Possess "Tactical Or Theater Nuclear Weapons."
BIDEN: "My view is if five years from now Saddam Hussein is in power,
left unfettered with $5 billion to $7 billion a year to pursue his
weapons, he will be a grave danger to us, in the sense that he will
intimidate the area and we will be unwilling to go after him because
he'll have tactical or theater nuclear weapons." (CNN's Larry King Live, 10/9/02)
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) Simply Stated: "There Is No Question That Iraq Possesses Biological And Chemical Weapons."
DODD: "There is no question that Iraq possesses biological and chemical
weapons and that he seeks to acquire additional weapons of mass
destruction, including nuclear weapons. That is not in debate. I also
agree with President Bush that Saddam Hussein is a threat to peace and
must be disarmed, to quote President Bush directly." (Sen. Chris Dodd, Congressional Record, 10/8/02)
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) Felt Saddam's Chemical And Biological Weapons Posed "A Considerable Threat To Us."
NELSON: "Well, I believe he has chemical and biological weapons. I
think he's trying to develop nuclear weapons. And the fact that he
might use those is a considerable threat to us." (CNBC's "Tim Russert,"
9/14/02)
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) Listed The Weapons At Saddam's Disposal: "Ballistic Missiles, Anthrax, Sarin Gas, VX And Smallpox."
BAYH: "Today, Hussein already has ballistic missiles, anthrax, sarin
gas, VX and smallpox, and he could someday soon have nuclear weapons at
his disposal. As much as I wish we could ignore this threat, it is my
heartfelt conviction that we cannot." (Sen. Evan Bayh, Op-Ed, "Bayh
Justifies The Need For Using Force Against Iraq," The Indianapolis Star, 10/10/02)
(This document was distributed today at the Senate Republican Policy Lunch.)
Don't forget "Setting the Record Straight: The New York Times Editorial on Pre-War Intelligence "
http://rschultz.blogspot.com/2005/11/lies-and-lying-liars-at-new-york-times.html
