USA Today Ed.: Skewed intelligence or not, war was a mistake

[kskiska]

With support for the Iraq war eroding and the president's popularity crumbling with it, the White House spin machine is abruptly switching gears. It's going on the offensive. (Related: Opposing view)

In place of the long-standing upbeat pitch, its new line is "if we were wrong, so was everyone else," as it feels heat from all sides. Heat from a public whose support is sliding away as it did in Vietnam; heat from Democrats who charge the administration distorted pre-war intelligence; heat even from Senate Republicans who called on the White House on Tuesday to explain its Iraq policy and give regular reports (but who voted down a Democratic proposal for a withdrawal timetable).

(snip)

•The administration didn't just go to war. It rushed to war. United Nations weapons inspectors said they didn't have proof and asked for more time. Allies who had joined in the first Iraq war did the same. Six months' delay would have let diplomacy and inspections play out. But Bush couldn't wait.

•The reasons for the rush are no mystery. Several key administration figures came into office eager for an excuse to intervene in Iraq. Sept. 11 gave them one, and they capitalized on it. The day after the attacks, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld asked Bush's war Cabinet whether the strikes could be used as reason to go after Saddam. Vice President Cheney beat the war drums relentlessly, inaccurately linking Saddam to the 9/11 terrorists. Neo-conservative thinkers in the administration, notably Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, were eager to implement their strategy of pre-emptive war and to test their theory that bringing democracy to Iraq was the key to Mideast stability. Bush even added a personal note, calling Saddam "the guy who tried to kill my dad."

more…
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-11-15-our-view_x.htm

[Demeter]

1. 5 Years Late; 3 Trillion Dollars Short

I wouldn't wrap fish or garbage in the USA Today.

[acmavm]

2. Somehow I don't think that if bush** fesses up and takes responsibility

his approval factor and popularity will rise. I really cannot see it.

[drb]

3. Not to worry. Now that he's blamed everybody and everything...

...else, including Clinton's penis, he can't very well change his mind and admit that it's all his fault. I give it abot the same chance as Karl Rove growing wings and flying around the Rose Garden.