Florida Debate Highlights: plus Final Score
posted at 10:21 pm on January 24, 2008 by Bryan
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To be honest, this debate has been a snore. But here are a couple of semi-interesting moments. In the first, Mike Huckabee makes some sense on the economic stimulus. He says, essentially, if we’re going to borrow $150 billion from China to finance the stimulus package, why not use it to do something useful instead of just handing it over to be spent on goods imported from China?
That’s not crazy. Chances are, people will spend their rebates on TVs and other consumables that’s imported. That’ll help American retailers and importers but not manufacturers. While it would be better just to cut taxes and cut spending and the government as far from all our wallets and lives as possible, if you’re going to borrow and spend, let’s at least widen I-95, put Americans to work on it and get some long-term benefits from the project. The residents of the eastern seaboard would probably concur. The problem with the idea, though, is that it’s regional. It would only buy votes on one coast, and Washington has its eye on buying votes in all 50 states.
In the second, Mitt Romney is asked whether the war in Iraq was worth the sacrifice and effort. He delivers the best answer of the bunch and punches the hippies in the Democrat party to boot.
Update: Here’s the Chuck Norris, “Is McCain too old to be president?” question.
Update: Here’s Rudy Giuliani reacting to the NYT’s endorsement of McCain. It’s obvious from the angle that Brian Williams took in asking the question that it’s a lefty hit. Conservative Republicans don’t give a rip what the NYT thinks. Its endorsement of McCain will not help him win a single conservative vote. That endorsement makes Rudy look more conservative than McCain.
And for one more video, head over to Gateway Pundit to see Mitt Romney criticize “General Hillary Clinton.” Heh.
Last Update: Here’s Mitt Romney wondering aloud about the wisdom of sending Bill Clinton to the White House with nothing to do.
My Final Score: Ron Paul aside, this was a substantive debate. Very civil, more low key than I expected of the direct question round. With so much on the line on Tuesday and this debate serving as the candidates’ introduction to the people of Florida, they all acquitted themselves well. I can’t say the same for the moderators, who tried to play gotcha all night.
McCain, Giuliani and Huckabee all had their moments, but overall, the winner was Mitt Romney. His answers on Iraq, the economy, using his personal wealth to run for the presidency and how he’ll fix Washington were all substantive, authoritative and right. He is positioning himself as the lone conservative in the race, and given the competition he is the most conservative candidate now.
All of that said, I’m sure I’m not the only one who missed Fred.
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Rudy hit that one out of the park!
TheSitRep on January 25, 2008 at 12:11 AM
The man can talk, but it’s too bad he doesn’t know what he is talking about. After the debate he was interviewed by Chris Matthews. In that interview he said Iraq’s WMD might have gone to Jordan, our ally.
flyfisher on January 25, 2008 at 12:16 AM
You can just sense that right now Hew Hewitt is…
LevStrauss on January 25, 2008 at 12:17 AM
He uses it like a shyster preacher. You can usually bet that when he is using his affable nature he is using it to obfuscate the fact that he has no clue what he is talking about.
csdeven on January 25, 2008 at 12:20 AM
GIDDY
Bryan on January 25, 2008 at 12:21 AM
I missed Fred too, Bryan. I agree, Willard did look and act Presidential. Will he get enough non-mormon votes to -first get the nom, and then the White House?
countywolf on January 25, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Yeah, he’s just a wee bit confused between Syria and Jordan, but that was after the debate.
They all looked great tonight, even looneytunes Ron Paul had a lucid moment or two. I don’t understand why there is all this pessimism about our field of candidates.
Buy Danish on January 25, 2008 at 12:28 AM
He’s a great storyteller.
Buy Danish on January 25, 2008 at 12:29 AM
For someone who was supposedly ‘lazy’ and ’sleepy’, Fred sure livened up this things. Now, everyone else looks ‘lazy’ and ’sleepy’. And that make the GOP that must less likely to prevail in November.
Hope Allah is happy.
michaelo on January 25, 2008 at 12:30 AM
I missed it. Bathroom plumbing or the debate? From what I have read here it looks like I chose wisely.
Limerick on January 25, 2008 at 12:30 AM
So tired of debates. We need to stop having them every 2 weeks or so. Have given up watching. Rented a movie instead.
jeanie on January 25, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Smoking a cigarette.
fourstringfuror on January 25, 2008 at 12:32 AM
I can’t wait until he (Romney) debates democrats. That will be something indeed.
paulsur on January 25, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Not so sure about that. The questions will be front loaded against the Reps to begin with. It won’t be the answers people remember, it will be ‘why did your party abandon the minorities during Katrina?’.
Limerick on January 25, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Best way to help the economy is to have OPEC raise oil production.
Instant cash in every wallet.
WoosterOh on January 25, 2008 at 12:38 AM
You’re right, of course, Limerick. But, maybe, just maybe, one of those debates will be with Britt and could embarass the democraps. You never know.
countywolf on January 25, 2008 at 12:38 AM
The “chosen one” Romney being given answers?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NlIMQ31EjY
Let’s see how the MSM handles that one!
Fed Up
Fed Up on January 25, 2008 at 12:39 AM
No clip of when Romney slammed Hillary/Dems for taking credit for the surge? I thought that was awesome!
HYTEAndy on January 25, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Did you watch the debate? It was in the question.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Bryan, what do you have against Ron Paul? The way you wrote it seems like Paul usually is uncivil (when he is not) and that he doesn’t provide anything meaningful to the debate. I honestly think if he was pro-war you’d reconsider. He isn’t against this war because he wants us to lose (that’s the Democrats) — he is just principally against wars of this kind.
Ian on January 25, 2008 at 12:48 AM
And 495, 395, 295 & 270 Rockville’s a mess, and it goes on and on.
Yes, I miss Fred.
Kini on January 25, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Who was whispering “raise taxes”? Deep Throat?
Buy Danish on January 25, 2008 at 12:50 AM
From what little I watched from not being aware of a debate, I thought Rudy and Romney did very well. Huckabee did his usual, while I thought McCain threw out too many names and slogans, and was too defensive on some things. They all did what I expected.
Except for Ron Paul, maybe I missed his usual ranting, but did he not seem mild tonight? Did someone on his campaign tell him to cut down the screeching? If Paul was more like tonight, he wouldn’t be so grating to watch.
I thought Romney handled the attack by Russert about the personal wealth issue very well.
Now, to just eliminate someone else so each candidate can get more time to talk and get out of their slogans and prepared talking points. I hope that in the future, they do debates more along the lines as what Newt Gingrich has suggested, which are McDouglas vs Lincoln speeches, where candidates are given a long length of time to express their points of view so we know what they really think about stuff. It also sees how they can handle themselves outside of the pre-programmed crap they memorize.
Weebork on January 25, 2008 at 12:50 AM
The Rontards are going nuts over “the whisper”. It’s quite hilarious.
p0s3r on January 25, 2008 at 1:00 AM
All of Russert & Williams’ questions where “gotcha” questions. When Russert asked this one, he missed the key “gotcha” in his opener, Williams cued Russert, to which Russert interrupted with the “Well Reagan raised payroll taxes.”.
p0s3r on January 25, 2008 at 1:02 AM
p0s3r,
whisper? I missed most of the debate. Please elaborate!
Thanks.
Weebork on January 25, 2008 at 1:02 AM
Btw, I heard about this apparent schooling McCain received from, of all people, Ron Paul. Is there a video of this somewhere?
Weebork on January 25, 2008 at 1:03 AM
That’s exactly what I thought when I heard it live. Seems pretty straightforward to me. But then again I think fire can melt steel.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 1:03 AM
Ahh, but you see, having that position is fine when we are not IN a war. But as we ARE, and we did not start it, having that position is beyond stupid. There are only two choices anyone that is running for POTUS has: continue to fight until complete victory, or give up and lose. It is the same choice in every war we fight.
Regardless of his reasons, he wants the second option and that is a kiss of death to his attempt to get the nomination (all other shortcomings aside).
Voidseeker on January 25, 2008 at 1:05 AM
Awesome. Thanks for the explanation.
csdeven on January 25, 2008 at 1:07 AM
If Huckabee is so worried about the Chinese getting all the stimulus from the rebates, can I ask where all of his store items are purchased from? Oh, it says printed and shipped from Louisville, KY, but where were they made?
99% of Fred’s items were Made in USA, and had that in big bold letters stating that fact by each, so I know that other candidates ought to (especially when talking about how China’s economy gets stimulated from our money) be able to purchase the same.
fdldd on January 25, 2008 at 1:07 AM
Paul could walk across my pool, hand me a magical glass of wine, and pull fresh salmon out of the freezer and I still wouldn’t vote for the SOB.
Limerick on January 25, 2008 at 1:07 AM
nice, love the dig at the truthers.
lan astaslem on January 25, 2008 at 1:07 AM
I’ll give you that. Found it interesting.
Fed Up on January 25, 2008 at 1:11 AM
Amen!!
Big Orange on January 25, 2008 at 1:15 AM
Uh, I think it’s pretty clear that we did start it.
Ian on January 25, 2008 at 1:19 AM
Every one of you who hasn’t had the opportunity to vote yet need to write in Fred. Even if you don’t like him, don’t agree that he was the best candidate, or the right man to be POTUS, you have to admit that he didn’t allow any drifting to the left. Maybe if he continues to pick up delegates, he will make the others realize that we’re all still looking for a real conservative. I’d love it if he ended up pulling a Lazarus, one way or another, in some capacity, but I realize not everyone does. More of an exercise in taking a stance (no, not the Larry Craig kind) and making these dudes stand up and take notice. I didn’t even watch the debate because stage whatever doesn’t allow it. I did, however, have a piece of pie tonight.
LickyLicky on January 25, 2008 at 1:21 AM
Here’s a link to a youtube of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NlIMQ31EjY
p0s3r on January 25, 2008 at 1:22 AM
Well worth considering at this point. The only thing that would cause me not to is having John end up on top before the convention.
Limerick on January 25, 2008 at 1:23 AM
Who cares!
Do you really think it matters who is POTUS, with 535 idiots
plus at least 4 or 5 on the scotus running the country.
Saying what I really feel would put me in prison.
God save us from ourselves!
Dersu on January 25, 2008 at 1:25 AM
Of course it does! Checks and balances ring a bell?
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 1:28 AM
He tried. See Fred for more information.
Hated my HS Civics teacher, but I do remember that much.
LickyLicky on January 25, 2008 at 1:31 AM
Just like all that came before them.
Vinnie on January 25, 2008 at 1:36 AM
Mitt had a lump in his suit, and a microphone implanted in his mind man.
It’s the only way man.
benrand on January 25, 2008 at 1:38 AM
Yea it has really worked so far!
The recent history has put the 3 branches against the people,
and they have all checked us.
GW from TX, for illegals getting all our rights and more.
MCVain from AZ with Teddy wanting to give even more to them.
All 3 branches letting unborn babies to be killed in or just out of the womb.
Yea, check and balance worked to kill them.
And now our southern states are giving the get out of jail card to the worst of the worst. John McCain!
God save us from ourselves!
Dersu on January 25, 2008 at 1:44 AM
Sadly it would appear you are talking about a battle when you say “war” and fail to understand the actual war. We did not start this war, we did start the battle for Iraq. A battle which we won. We then began a second battle against the terrorists (MSM’s ‘insurgents’) inside the theater of that battle while trying to secure said theater.
We fought the second battle in Iraq poorly for a while, but have since changed our tactics and will win it soon enough. Ron Paul wants to quit and lose the battle, and then continue on to lose the actual war.
If you believe the battle in Iraq is a separate “war” from all the other battles we are fighting in the actual war, you would be mistaken. It was framed that way by the MSM because they were unable to attack Bush on the Afghanistan ‘war’ (itself just one battle theater in the larger war), but with 50K+ deaths expected to happen when we went into Iraq the MSM wanted to make it seem unnecessary/wrong/etc. In order to do that they had to make Iraq a separate “war” in the minds of the American populace. And they succeeded with most people.
If we attacked Iran with military power it would still be the same War, just a new battle theater. In fact we are fighting them now in this war, just without using the Armed Forces yet.
Voidseeker on January 25, 2008 at 1:45 AM
Yeah, and the New England Patriots should totally step aside and let the Buffalo Bills take their place in the Super Bowl.
Not that I’d care.
Hollowpoint on January 25, 2008 at 1:47 AM
I’ve been rootin’ for Mitt, and he did fine tonight. McCain…I get the feeling that even McCain realizes his swan song/ego trip is about to be ‘defunded’.
Huck who? will be a question in a future edition of Trivial Pursuit; the name of that game reminds me that Guliani is going to start campaigning soon.
As Meredith Willson said in “The Music Man”: “You’ve got to know the territory!”
Mitt knows the territory. I think Obama will be the Dem candidate, in which case it will be territory versus oratory.
May the best man win (which means, of course, that America wins).
Doug on January 25, 2008 at 1:48 AM
…in danger of going blind.
Hollowpoint on January 25, 2008 at 1:49 AM
I think we should spray paint McCain and Huck white and try to sell them as unicorns. After all, people love unicorns! They’re so pure and good and… and… well, it’s like a bunch of 12 year old girls are voting anyway. Ohhhh! A pretty one! Maybe we can get Hannah Montana to endorse.
LickyLicky on January 25, 2008 at 1:51 AM
I look forward to the sun rising, and a new day.
good night all!
Dersu on January 25, 2008 at 2:00 AM
I know that every time one of those clowns called himself conservative my soul threw up a little. The tortured ways in which they spun and / or denied their liberal past would actually have been funny if it wasn’t so sad.
For the Ron Paul supporters… Paul does indeed understand the problems facing America with the exception that he is as clueless about Islamic terrorism as the Clintons. The problem is that if he follows the constitution as President he can’t effect the changes he says he will. Is he totoally unrealistic or telling us just as many lies as the others? I honestly agree with Ron Paul on a lot of things but his racist views and unrealistic promises will keep him from ever having a shot.
Fred really should have stayed in. He didn’t do so well in states where indys and dems get to vote for Republicans. Florida is a closed primary and the results might have been very different.
But Fred is gone, so I’m voting for Charles Curry in our primary. http://www.curryforamerica.com
Buzzy on January 25, 2008 at 2:07 AM
The way Huck spun that last question was slicker than greased ferret shit. They asked for a reaction to some random Bush administration person who said they were uncomfortable with Huckabee’s use of religion in his campaign - probably relating to his having evangelical leaders promote him. Shmuckabee gives a great-sounding response about how his faith anchors his life (totally ignoring the actual question).
ErikTheRed on January 25, 2008 at 2:15 AM
I don’t care who you are, that’s funny right there.
sulla on January 25, 2008 at 2:35 AM
I tapped it, I knew my son wouldn’t want to watch it and I pretty much knew who would annoy me to death. I do plan on watching it. It is so darn obvious that McCain is not a conservative and disliked by so many and the very fact that the Times endorses him, should scare you. Without watching I think I knew what to expect from some of them. I wanted to see Romney and Rudy. I don’t agree about missing Fred, he wasn’t even at most of the debates anyway and though he was more conservative than others, that doesn’t show he could lead this country. I never understood the wild enthusiam over him, even before he announced his candidacy.
The only reason I was warming up to him at the end was because it became more obvious who the real rhinos were.
Conservatives R Us on January 25, 2008 at 3:49 AM
So I’m not hearing things. I DID hear a whisper. And I’m still trying to get that image out of my head of Billy Jeff in the White House with nothing to do.
calirighty on January 25, 2008 at 4:20 AM
(Mortis?)
Tzetzes on January 25, 2008 at 4:24 AM
When my 3 yr. old daughter misses someone she says she “lost” him/her.
I lost Fred.
silverfox on January 25, 2008 at 5:01 AM
Yes! Rudy scores a point with the sarb ox comment!
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 5:14 AM
Is this a debate or just a 2 hour Willard Romney speech?
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 5:39 AM
Optimistic.
Reaps on January 25, 2008 at 6:33 AM
Thanks to Bryan and Michelle for the highlights. I just couldn’t watch more than 10 minutes of the debate live. MSNBC causes an allergic reaction in my eyes and ears.
Zorro on January 25, 2008 at 6:49 AM
why are they making a bid deal about the whispering? It was obviously Russert and Williams.
ctmom on January 25, 2008 at 7:13 AM
I missed Fred his entire campaign. Just no real effort. That’s why I’m going with Romney, the only conservative left in the race.
davecatbone on January 25, 2008 at 7:17 AM
Romney was for the 2nd Amendment before he was against it.
fossten on January 25, 2008 at 7:44 AM
As an avid Fred Thompson supporter, I want to see a brokered convention where he is given the nomination in a Warren Harding-like deal (see RealClearPolitics’s article yesterday).
But the chances of that happening are remote, so I find myself supporting Romney. If we’re truly headed for a recession, he is absolutely the best candidate to guide us through the weeds. He has no personal life scandals whatsoever, and he’s an honorable candidate.
frode on January 25, 2008 at 7:46 AM
That is very, very funny.
peacenprosperity on January 25, 2008 at 7:48 AM
Paul does understand Islamic terrorism. He’s the guy that introduced a bill that would allow pilots to carry guns in the cockpit. Oh, we didn’t get that one passed, did we? Nope. Thank you Bush and Congress for understanding terrorism! /sarc
Seriously, a President Paul could accomplish a lot. Do you realize how many regulations a President can enact or do away with? Hundreds of laws and regs could be wiped out with the stroke of a pen, restoring many of our civil liberties. One of my biggest concerns is the runaway abuse of power by the BATFE. A President Paul would finally put that Gestapo in its place and probably pardon some people in prison for silly paperwork violations of gun laws.
fossten on January 25, 2008 at 7:49 AM
This is the era of the conspiracy theorist.
Buy Danish on January 25, 2008 at 7:50 AM
amen .
trailortrash on January 25, 2008 at 8:08 AM
Chuck Norris is going to take Huckleberry’s right foot and smack Huckleberry on the left side of his face and there is nothing that Huckleberry can do about it because Chuck Norris will not stand being confused for that panty waist Billy Jack.
Mallard T. Drake on January 25, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Yeah, I noticed that also. Huck is old enough to make that mistake. I wonder what Chuckles thinks of that?
csdeven on January 25, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Time of Possession and questions
Romney: 21:11, during 13 times
McCain: 16:00, during 13 times
Giuliani: 13:50, during 11 times
Huckabee: 12:11, during nine times
Paul: 6:31, during six times
windansea on January 25, 2008 at 8:58 AM
You aren’t the only one, Bryan. Mitt had a few moments that reminded me of Fred with his discussion on social security.
VP!!
RobTN on January 25, 2008 at 8:59 AM
How wierd. I had that exact dream last night.
I miss Fred so much I wasn’t strong enough to watch the debate last night. I did flip on Leno, thinking maybe…
TexasDan on January 25, 2008 at 9:03 AM
The debate left me feeling demoralized, dejected and disgusted. All the global warming pandering. All (except the wacko Ron Paul) thinking the tax rebate for those who didn’t pay taxes either was a good idea or didn’t go far enough. No mention of drilling or refining, which is the only real long term means of controlling the price of oil and stabilizing our economy.
Sure, there were a few good things and the I-95 issue has been an undiscussed topic for too long (thanks for the road Pres. Eisenhower, we haven’t done jack to it since then). But overall. Mashed potato sandwich on white bread answers.
Where have you gone
Joe DiMaggioFred Thompson. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.pistolero on January 25, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Uh, is is very clear that we did not start it!
Saddam was warned 17 times with UN resolutions and he called the bluff 17 times! Question: How many times do you warn your neighbor that your going to punch him in the nose, if he dosen’t comply to the community rules, before you actually punch him in the nose!?
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Tim Russert’s response, after hearing Romney say he can’t imagine what it would be like to have Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do ……..
“What does that mean?”
Hey Timbo, you really don’t have to egg him on to say what everybody from Hawaii to Maine knows already.
You might be the exception however.
Too bad this lefty tool can’t ever drum up a question without having a copy of the New York Times or the Washington Post on his lap?
They’re joined at the lips, but we knew that.
fogw on January 25, 2008 at 9:17 AM
anyone see Derbyshire’s post at the Corner, engaging in Historical Revisionism and equating the Paultard to Reagan.
a Reaganite over there better put him in his place.
jp on January 25, 2008 at 9:17 AM
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 5:39 AM
Awwww, are we just a wittle jewous?
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Saddam Signed a CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT at the end of the First Gulf War, which allowed him to stay in power. He then VIOLATED that Cease Fire and Committed MULTIPLE ACTS OF WAR against the US for a decade. Including Harboring, aiding and Financially Supporting Terrorist. Trying to Assassinate our POTUS, firing at our Planes.
geez, what does it take to get intellectual honest these days???
every time he violated the Cease Fire agreement, was a Case to resume hostilities and remove Saddam. Why the Senate overwhelmingly approved Regime Change in Iraq as Official US Policy.
and Paul is against All wars, its why he quotes Ghandi. His philosophy is that the “Use of Force” is always wrong. Its why he’s against the Death Penalty as well.
jp on January 25, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Paultards 1987 book, smearing Reagan and conservatives. Invoking the “Gulf of Tonkin” rhetoric. The exact type that he’s using today…
http://www.mises.org/books/freedomsiege.pdf
he is a 1930’s, America First, throwback. Except this time around they are allied with the George Soros/Moveon.org crowd and Lying, smearing and bordering into Treason terroritory with their ‘blame america’ rhetoric and outright lies in many cases.
jp on January 25, 2008 at 9:27 AM
When Russert asked that questions, I figured Mitt should just let it go. There wasn’t anything to say next that the left wouldn’t try to skewer him with, and we all knew what he meant! This is a Republican debate, he isn’t going to get any argument from us about that point!
I couldn’t watch the whole debate. I get so tired of the questions asked by the MSM. They spend so little time on the stuff that really matters and so much time on “what do you mean we don’t want Clinton back in the WH?” or “McCain, you’re 95 year old mother said . . .” I watched Rent. If I’m going to watch liberals being foolish, let’s go whole hog and have some great singing along the way.
TX Mom on January 25, 2008 at 9:32 AM
I too, missed Fred.
dean_acheson on January 25, 2008 at 9:55 AM
When Romney gets the nod, and he will, we will see Fred again. Romney/Thompson 08!
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Russert is featuring his man McCain on Meet the Press this week. I guess he’s trying to give him that little boost before Tuesday.
tommuck on January 25, 2008 at 10:04 AM
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 9:58 AM
romney could choose Huckabee to sow up the Social Con base. It’ll come down to which leg of conservatism is most likely to stay home or protest vote
jp on January 25, 2008 at 10:05 AM
If, McCain easily wins. It begs the question why Libs like Russert are assisting McCain?
jp on January 25, 2008 at 10:09 AM
jp on January 25, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Good point. Believe it or not, if I can’t get Romney/Thompson I would still rather have Romney/(gulp)Huckabee, than McCain ONLY because I am interested in the Fair Tax and I think Romney could keep the Huckster in check on social issues.
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 10:10 AM
That’s easy enough. In Russerts eyes, McCain is as close to a Hillary as it comes. ; )
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I see your point, but the fact remains we started this war which turned out to be what it is now. Not that I’m against the war (battle, whatever you want to call it) but you can’t say it turned out to be exactly what you imagined. Bush and Rumsfeld didn’t think it would turn out this way. If the point was to fight terrorists (aka insurgents) why wasn’t that the number one reason? I have a feeling if Bush came out and said “Look, we are pretty sure they have WMD but it’s more important that we wage the battle over there” I think he would have received the same amount of support if not more.
Ian on January 25, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Ian on January 25, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Speaking of WMD. It is a fact that he had them. They did not just disappear into thin air. Unfortunately I am afraid they will surface again and it will be a terrible day. I think they went to Syria.
kcd on January 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
they did talk about Saddam’s terror ties, they are in the Iraq War Resolution. Victor Davis Hanson recently had a column pointing out that there were no less than 23 different cases for the War, or resuming the war technically, but everyone is still focused on only 1.
the WMD part was developed in the 90’s, everyone beleived they had them and in light of 9/11 and Saddam’s terror ties, the political case to make to the American People was we needed to “Pre-Empt” Saddam giving those weapons in the shadows to terrorist groups that would use against us. That’s actually a seperate issue from removing Saddam and the legal case to do so.
But arguing that Saddam violated the Cease Fire Agreement, committed Acts of War against us, etc…..isn’t as strong a selling point.
jp on January 25, 2008 at 10:35 AM
^Politically speaking
We’ve had a valid reason for war with Iran since 1979 for that matter. America has a reputation for being pushed around, they don’t, or didn’t, respect us.
I think if Saddam was more worried about Iran than the US Military, once we were at his borders with a War Resolution, thinking Bush was just bluffing. It just goes to prove how the middle East viewed us as a Paper Tiger with no Will. Lybia sure got the message though.
jp on January 25, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I have a feeling if Bush came out and said “Look, we are pretty sure they have WMD but it’s more important that we wage the battle over there” I think he would have received the same amount of support if not more.
Ian on January 25, 2008 at 10:25 AM
That’s EXACTLY what he said on 3/19/03.
Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly — yet, our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder. We will meet that threat now, with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of fire fighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030319-17.html
FishFearMe on January 25, 2008 at 10:40 AM
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