DesMoine RegisterEdwards: We made a mistake. Now let's take steps to leave

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http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051118/OPINION01/511180335/1035/OPINION

Edwards: We made a mistake. Now let's take steps to leave
By JOHN EDWARDS
SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER


November 18, 2005



I was wrong.

Almost three years ago we went into Iraq to remove what we were told — and what many of us believed and argued — was a threat to America.

But in fact we now know that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction when our forces invaded Iraq in 2003. The intelligence was deeply flawed and, in some cases, manipulated to fit a political agenda.

It was a mistake to vote for this war in 2002. I take responsibility for that mistake. It has been hard to say these words because those who didn't make a mistake — the men and women of our armed forces and their families — have performed heroically and paid a dear price.

The world desperately needs moral leadership from America, and the foundation for moral leadership is telling the truth.