Reply #17: Not enough oil there

[RafterMan]

Iraq's oil revenues could double and still not pay for the occupation. To say nothing of the regular functions of the Iraqi government.

As for contracts, the Republican-controlled congress could have slathered gravy all over their districts with useless "homeland security" junk.

9/11 offered the enterprising politician endless paths to seediness and corruption. Why the riskiest one?

To this day, I have no idea what possible gain anyone thought they could achieve by going to Iraq. The "remake the Middle East" thing is the best I can come up with, since it is at least a desireable, if not likely achievable outcome. Basically, I'm still mystified.