2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: I've never understood why Kerry did not face the same level of wrath from Democrats over [View all]Martin Eden
(12,881 posts)... but True.
Politicians say and put their spin on a lot of things (like a controversial vote). When what they say is at variance with what is increasingly apparent, we have to use our own judgment and question the politician.
Anyone who was familiar with the PNAC agenda and could see the case for war was bogus had to know a vote for the IWR was a vote for war. Once given the authority, Bush was going to invade.
And he did.
Despite the UN inspectors being admitted full access and asking for more time to complete their evaluation, Bush forced them out and launched Shock & Awe.
If Hillary Clinton believed what she said in the speech you remember, then she was fooled by Cheney/Bush.
In the early months of 2003 when it became increasingly evident Bush was going to invade, can you find any statements by Hillary Clinton demanding that the UN inspectors be allowed to complete their work and that he stick to what she believed was the agreement in the IWR?
When Bush betrayed the members of Congress who trusted him to act in good faith, did Hillary Clinton stand up and point this out to the American people -- not years later when her vote became a political liability, but when these events were unfolding?
If you can find such statements by HRC, I will concede that she honestly believed her vote for the Iraq War Resolution was not a vote for war. This would, however, confirm that she was fooled -- very poor judgment, given the PNAC agenda and the bogus case for war the Bush administration was making.
But I don't think Hillary is that dumb.
She was either on board with the agenda (like the hawk that she is) or she thought at the time that appearing to be "tough" on national security would be good for her political career.
Take your pick; none of them are good.