Bush Says That He Is Responsible
WASHINGTON (CNN) — On the eve of Iraq’s historic election, President Bush took responsibility Wednesday for “wrong” intelligence that led to the war, but he said removing Saddam Hussein was still necessary.
“It is true that much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong,” Bush said during his fourth and final speech before Thursday’s vote for Iraq’s parliament. “As president I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq. And I’m also responsible for fixing what went wrong by reforming our intelligence capabilities. And we’re doing just that.”
“My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision,” the president said. “Saddam was a threat and the American people, and the world is better off because he is no longer in power.”
There is going to be a ton of material written about this, but I have one initial question. Why did it take so long for him to say this. I supported the decision to go to war and think that based upon what we knew it was the right thing, but nonetheless I still want to know why is he saying this now. Why was it not said earlier.
The Misanthrope December 15, 2005 at 2:12 pm
Jack, Cheney is the one who bully everyone to use the information he selected. Cheney was warned that the information was not the best. Powell was not pleased to use the information, but he went forward as a team player, but he is on the record for disagreeing with Cheney and Rumsfeld. The FBI, the CIA, the German intelligence agency and the French warned their U.S. counterparts that the info was bad, but Cheney wanted to take out Sadam and after 9/11 Bush was on board.
MC Aryeh December 15, 2005 at 1:29 pm
This is what happens when a Bush relies upon hs own intelligence,
I think the source of the intelligence breakdown has not been fixed nor addressed in proper fashion. Still waiting on that one,,,
Jack's Shack December 15, 2005 at 7:09 am
I don’t think that this is as simple a matter as some want it to be, but that doesn’t mean that I think that it is exceptionally complex either.
One of the biggest questions I have is in regard to the source of the bad intelligence. What caused the disconnect, how did it come to be and have we done anything to repair those problems.
I am not convinced that we have.
soccerdad December 15, 2005 at 4:59 am
I realize why he can’t admit that removing Saddam in this manner was a mistake, but … think about it. He’s admitted that the intelligence was faulty. Well, what intelligence? All of it? A little of it? Only that dealing with the Iraq-AQ link? Only that dealing with WMD? What was faulty?
And, depending on the scope of what was faulty, how can he legitimately continue to say that removing Saddam was the right thing to do? If the intelligence about WMD was wrong, if the intelligence about Iraq-AQ was wrong, if the intelligence about Saddam training terrorists was wrong, than at some point there has to be a recognition that he did not pose the immediate threat — any threat to this country or his neighbors — and, if so, what’s the justification for preemptive war to remove him.
cruisin-mom December 15, 2005 at 1:11 am
Wow, Misanthrope…you state it perfectly…this presidency and “all his men” are scary. Thank goodness he cannot run again.
Tamara December 15, 2005 at 12:42 am
HOLY GUACAMOLE…You did a gazillion posts today 🙂
The Misanthrope December 14, 2005 at 9:51 pm
I never supported going to war with a country that was easily contained and had nothing to do with 9/11. That information was available before the war. Iraq became a scapegoat.
The idiot president is down in the polls and the public will forgive our bubbled (see Newsweek cover) leader and then his numbers will go up and he’ll ram his screwed up Social Security program up our asses. He should not be forgiven; he should be impeached and should be jailed for sending innocent men and women to war.
Z December 14, 2005 at 9:15 pm
Sadly, because of what Bill said. Now he has to do some serious damage control because they want Satan…er, uh, SanTORUM to be in for six more years and that’s taking precedence. It’s unbelievably sad and pathetic.
Stephen (aka Q) December 14, 2005 at 9:08 pm
I can’t help thinking back to your earlier post about learning the lessons from 9/11. The President is going to fix the intelligence capabilities, just like he fixed the gaping holes in the nation’s security system? That’s reassuring.
Q
angela marie December 14, 2005 at 8:53 pm
I, too, would have to agree with Bill.
I’m so sick of being disappointed by people.
Ezer K'negdo December 14, 2005 at 6:47 pm
What bill said.
Sad. I’m sure he expects more from his children. Too bad he can’t be an example of honesty for ours.
Zeruel December 14, 2005 at 6:42 pm
Intelligence false? I think he means to say manipulated to suit geopolitical ambitions.
Bill December 14, 2005 at 6:36 pm
Simple – “FOUR MORE YEARS”
Neo December 14, 2005 at 6:34 pm
Jack –LOL… Yeah, his fault alright. Checkout the CNN poll that’s up today.