Marius wrote:his sudden turnarounds on several issues are pretty clear indicators of that
His sudden turnarounds are indications that what he said he wanted to do didn't match up with what the folks on the project say is actually doable. That's all. Every administration does that. (Remember that the Doonesbury icon for Clinton was a steaming waffle?)
Ok, Cain, you've been scrutinizing Bush for too long and ignoring the Dems to think that Political 180's aren't SOP. Let's look at the Dems record on WMD in Iraq and the need to intervene there...
"We urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
— Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others, 9 Oct. 1998
"There is no doubt that ... Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre—Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a illicit missile program to develop longer—range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies."
— Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham (D—FL), and others, 5 Dec. 2001
"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
— Al Gore, 23 Sept. 2002
"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
— Sen. Ted Kennedy (D—MA), 27 Sept. 2002
"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons ..."
— Sen. Robert Byrd (D — WV), 3 Oct. 2002
"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
— Sen. Jay Rockefeller, (D — WV), 10 Oct. 2002
"He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do."
— Rep. Henry Waxman (D—CA), 10 Oct. 2002
"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
— Sen. Hillary Clinton (D — NY), 10 Oct 2002
"[W]ithout question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real ..."
— Sen. John F. Kerry (D — MA), 23 Jan. 2003
I can do the same thing for Republicans, particularly President Bush. Minor changes in the world and suddenly you're saying the exact opposite of what you said a few months prior...
Edit: w00t! I knew I'd forget to change names eventually. I bet I have a few other posts now...
