McCain on McClellan: ‘Every Intelligence Agency In The World And Every Assessment’ Said Iraq had WMD

[ProfessorPlum]

Run time: 00:30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esy8O1_C5UU   Posted on YouTube: May 29, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: May 30, 2008 By DU Member: ProfessorPlum Views on DU: 898

 
This one will be ripe for a DNC commercial, showing exactly the opposite.

Via ThinkProgress: http://thinkprogress.org/2008/05/29/mccain-mcclellan/

In his new book, former White House press secretary Scott McClellan charges that the Bush administration manipulated information in a “propaganda” campaign before the Iraq war, making the faulty claim that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Asked about the book today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) defended the administration’s actions in the run-up to the war, suggesting there was no manipulation involved. McCain claimed “every intelligence agency in the world” thought Hussein had WMD:

I have not seen the book or the comments. But I know why I supported it because I believed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction as did every intelligence agency in the world and every assessment.

McCain’s blanket statement is wildly off the mark. The Bush administration did set up its own intelligence shops to disseminate faulty intelligence about Iraq’s alleged WMD. But “every” agency in the “world” did not buy the spin — several U.S. agencies were highly skeptical:

State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR): Concluded that the “activities we have detected do not add up to a compelling case that Iraq is currently pursuing what would consider to be an integrated and comprehensive approach to acquire nuclear weapons.”

Department of Energy: Concluded aluminum tubes said to be used for nuclear centrifuges were “likely intended for small artillery rockets.”

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): On March 7, 2003, IAEA chief Mohamed El-Baradei reported there was “no evidence that Saddam Hussein had any nuclear weapons or was in the process of acquiring them.”

Hans Blix, chief U.N. weapon’s inspector: In Jan. 2003, Blix told the U.N. Security Council that his inspection teams had not found any “smoking guns” after visiting some 125 Iraqi sites.

When under pressure, McCain has a habit of making sweeping blanket statements. Criticized for his stance on the 21st Century GI Bill last week, McCain falsely claimed he “received the highest award from literally every veteran’s organization in America.” In December, McCain made the blatantly false assertion that the he is “the only one the special interests don’t give any money to.”

[Bob Dobbs]

1. The anti-reality bubble is big enough for at least two.

georgie and johnny sitting in the bubble
scheming up ways to make more trouble.

[blm]

2. Unfortunately, the RNC can run plenty of footage of Bill Clinton supporting Bush and McCain's claim

I believe Bill Clinton privately and deliberately lied to other Dem lawmakers about the evidence he claimed to have seen as president with unique access to privilege information.

Clinton and many of his security team took the airwaves many times to support and defend Bush's decision to go to war. Especially during his summer2004 book tour.

I believe Clintons gave Bush all the cover he needed on Iraq because it was an agenda they agreed with and it would also serve their desire to keep Bush in office past 2004.

[acmavm]

5. I agree. He did it for the son of his bestest buddy Poopy Bush.

[stray cat]

3. but only the US was stupid enough to invade on the basis of an assumption

and the senators who read the inteligence (Graham and Feingold said it was too thin)

[lovuian]

4. If you notice WMD never comes out of their mouths very often

its become a bad word in our unconcious minds

[wtmusic]

6. No, every assessment *they listened to* said Iraq had WMD

"According to Albright government experts on nuclear technology who dissented from the Bush administration's view told him they were expected to remain silent."
Washington Post
September 19, 2002

[liberal N proud]

7. McSame still showing his loyalty to the regime

Hope it convinces people that a vote for McCain is a vote for more bu$h

[ladjf]

8. This kind of lunacy from McCain is good for our cause. Many

bought the WMD back before the invasion but America has wised up since then.

[greiner3]

9. mccain caught his gaffe;

And giggled incessantly; that appears to be their current way of covering up his senior moments. Oh crap! That means mccain's sound bites are going to be half-filled with that cackle :rofl:

[robinlynne]

10. Oh yeah, let's count on the DNC to do that......

[LSK]

11. MCCAIN YOU ARE A LIAR