Remember when they said...

Published by Investors Business Daily 11 November 2005

“One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line.” President Clinton Feb. 4, 1998

“If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program.” Clinton Feb. 17, 1998

“Iraq is a long way from here, but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use a nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face.” Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State Feb. 18, 1998

“He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has 10 times since 1983.” Sandy Berger, Clinton national security advisor, Feb. 18, 1998

“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 suspected Iraqi sites] to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraqi’s refusal to end it’s weapons of mass destruction programs.” Letter to Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry and others, Oct. 9, 1998

"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology, which is a threat to countries in the region and has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi. D-Calif. Dec. 16, 1998

“Hussein has… chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies.” Albright Nov. 10, 1999

“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 licit 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-Fla. And others Dec. 5, 2001

“We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.” Al Gore Sept. 23, 2002

“Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter, and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.” Gore, Sept 23, 2002

“We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.” Sen Ted Kennedy, D-Mass Sept 27, 2002

“The last U.N. 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-W.VA Oct 3, 2002

“I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.” Kerry Oct 9, 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 the development of weapons of mass destruction.” Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va, Oct. 10, 2002


“He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant U.N. 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-Calif. Oct. 10,2002

“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 terrorist, including al-Qaida 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 top develop nuclear weapons.” Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY. Oct. 10. 2002

“We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction.” Graham, Dec. 8, 2002

“Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime… He represents 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 Kerry, Jan. 23, 2003