George W. Bush,  Iraq,  Iraq War

Bush Lied and People Died – Well Not So Fast

June 9, 2008 /

From a Cindy Sheehan Rally

The mantra from the Anti-War LEFT has been Bush Lied and People Died. But, did President Bush lie?

Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence, set out to provide the official foundation for what has become not only a thriving business but, more important, an article of faith among millions of Americans. And in releasing a committee report Thursday, he claimed to have accomplished his mission, though he did not use the L-word.

“In making the case for war, the administration repeatedly presented intelligence as fact when it was unsubstantiated, contradicted or even nonexistent,” he said.

There’s no question that the administration, and particularly Vice President Cheney, spoke with too much certainty at times and failed to anticipate or prepare the American people for the enormous undertaking in Iraq.

Key graphs from Senator Rockefeller’s report:

  • On Iraq’s nuclear weapons program? The president’s statements “were generally substantiated by intelligence community estimates.”
  • On biological weapons, production capability and those infamous mobile laboratories? The president’s statements “were substantiated by intelligence information.”
  • On chemical weapons, then? “Substantiated by intelligence information.”
  • On weapons of mass destruction overall (a separate section of the intelligence committee report)? “Generally substantiated by intelligence information.” Delivery vehicles such as ballistic missiles? “Generally substantiated by available intelligence.” Unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used to deliver WMDs? “Generally substantiated by intelligence information.”
  • But statements regarding Iraq’s support for terrorist groups other than al-Qaeda “were substantiated by intelligence information.” Statements that Iraq provided safe haven for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and other terrorists with ties to al-Qaeda “were substantiated by the intelligence assessments,” and statements regarding Iraq’s contacts with al-Qaeda “were substantiated by intelligence information.”

So, Democrat Senator Jay Rockefeller’s report essentially vindicates President Bush as to the LIED part. But, why does the LEFT and Democrat politicians continue to use the mantra?

Why, for partisan political advantage – as they have all along.