I don't know if this is the start of something big or not, but retiring Representative Doug Bereuter of Nebraska is breaking ranks with most of the leadership in saying that the war in Iraq was a mistake. Here is the money quote:
"I've reached the conclusion, retrospectively, now that the inadequate intelligence and faulty conclusions are being revealed, that all things being considered, it was a mistake to launch that military action, especially without a broad and engaged international coalition."
Of course those who still think this was a great idea think Bereuter was just playing the scorned wife because he was passed over as head of the House Intelligence committee. Ray LaHood of Illinois said Bereuter was "very bitter."
You have to wonder if there are others who agree with Bereuter, but are just silent.
Posted by Dennis at August 19, 2004 01:18 AMIt's a big deal, but not in the way you're thinking. You're assuming that there's still unanmity on the right that the neocon view of the war on terror is accurate. Truth be told, most conservatives are privately saying what this guy just said in public. For more evidence, see Tim Russert's recent interview with O'Reilly, who said that any thinking person has to admit going to Iraq was a classic blunder.
I wouldn't be surprised if the White House also privately feels that Iraq was a mistake. As Joe Lieberman said, Saddam Hussein still had to be dealt with because the man himself was a WMD. Still, Iraq was definitely a far lesser threat than North Korea and Iran. Yet with George Tenet telling the president that Saddam --- a dictator who hated the US and had ties to Islamic terrorist groups similar to al Qaeda --- possessed stockpiles of bio and chem weapons, what were we supposed to do? I think Bush made the right decision with the knowledge he had at the time. I also think that, honestly, if he knew then what we all know now, we wouldn't have gone.
Funny thing is, if President Bush would take the political risk to admit that, the American people might actually come back to him in droves.
Posted by: Dave at August 21, 2004 02:00 AM