POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY AND THE CASE FOR WAR

According to the Bush Administration, in the months leading up to 9/11/01, Saddam Hussein was not a threat.

"Frankly, (sanctions) have worked. He has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbors."
-- Secretary of State, Colin Powell, February 24, 2001

"But in terms of Saddam Hussein being there, let's remember that his country is divided, in effect. He does not control the northern part of his country. We are able to keep arms from him. His military forces have not been rebuilt."
-- National Security Advisor, Condoleeza Rice, July 29, 2001

BUT THEN AFTER 9/11, SADDAM SUDDENLY BECAME AN IMMINENT THREAT.

"Simply stated, There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction."
-- Vice President Dick Cheney, 8/16/02

"We do know that (Saddam) is actively pursuing a nuclear weapon."
-- National Security Advisor, Condoleezza Rice, 9/10/02

"Saddam Hussein still has chemical and biological weapons and is increasing his capabilities to make more."
-- President George W. Bush, October 2002

"The evidence indicates that Iraq is reconstituting its nuclear weapons program."
-- President George W. Bush, October 2002

Saddam Hussein "possesses and produces chemical and biological weapons."
-- President George W. Bush, October 2002

"The danger is already significant and it only grows worse with time. If we know Saddam Hussein has dangerous weapons today -- and we do -- does it make any sense for the world to wait to confront him as he grows even stronger and develops even more dangerous weapons?" -- President George W. Bush, October 7, 2002

BUT THE STORY CHANGED AS THE TRUTH WAS REVEALED.

Saddam Hussein did not possess stockpiles of illicit chemical and biological weapons at the time of the U.S. invasion in March 2003, had not begun any program to produce them, and his nuclear capabilities were deteriorating, not advancing.
-- Charles Duelfer, head of the Iraq Survey Group, at a Senate Armed Services committee hearing, October 6, 2004

"Why the intelligence proved wrong [on weapons of mass destruction], I'm not in a position to say. I simply don't know."
-- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, in remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, October 4, 2004

"To my knowledge, I have not seen any strong, hard evidence that links the two [Saddam and al Qaeda]."
-- Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, October 4, 2004