Bush thinks Poland took part in the invasion of Iraq!

[expatriot]

I can't believe Bush actually believes Poland took part in the invasion... how can he be so OBLIVIOUS that he thinks Polish troops took part in the invasion.


KERRY: The United Nations, Kofi Annan offered help after Baghdad fell. And we never picked him up on that and did what was necessary to transfer authority and to transfer reconstruction. It was always American-run.

Secondly, when we went in , there were three countries: Great Britain, Australia and the United States. That‘s not a grand coalition. We can do better.

LEHRER: Thirty seconds, Mr. President.

BUSH: Well, actually, he forgot Poland. And now there‘s 30 nations involved, standing side by side with our American troops.

-------

Poland did not send troops to Iraq until August of 2003.

[TexasSissy]

1. It didn't? You sure about that? That's amazing that * didn't know that.

Did Kerry get that across to the audience, or did the audience get left w/the impression that Kerry had forgotten about Poland? (I saw the "Don't forget Poland" quip, but don't recall immediately afterwards.

And sorry to say, I didn't recall that Poland didn't go in at the first. I thought it had, too. But I guess I'm remembering later.

When did Spain go in? Didn't Spain go in at the first, too? The Spanish President was one of the war council (it was Bush, Blair, and the Spanish Prez)

[cosmicaug]

3. Spain.

TexasSissy wrote:

When did Spain go in? Didn't Spain go in at the first, too? The Spanish President was one of the war council (it was Bush, Blair, and the Spanish Prez)

José María Aznar made a big deal about his strong support for Bush & Blair and this decision was very unpopular. However, as far as I know, Spain had only support roles during the build-up but did not take active part in the invasion (I could be mistaken but I don't think so --realize that something like 90% of the population was against the intervention in Iraq). After the invasion, Spain sent troops and intelligence people (a whole bunch of them got killed). A few other countries sent troops after the invasion also (mostly a token presence).

I too was surprised regarding Poland's mention. I assumed they only sent troops after the invasion.

P.S. I guess I should read more carefully. The original poster confirms that Poland sent troops only after the invasion.

On edit: Added Postscript.

[Sannum]

2. Don't forget

Don't forget the the country (I am too buzzed to remember now) that offered their help by offering donations of monkeys to help detect mines:eyes:

It was in F/911

[cosmicaug]

6. I think that was Morocco.

Sannum wrote:

Don't forget the the country (I am too buzzed to remember now) that offered their help by offering donations of monkeys to help detect mines:eyes:

I think that was Morocco (I haven't seen F/911 but I remember reading the story). I also read that that story was later reported to be false.

[Chomskyite]

4. Bush is a serial exagerrator!!!!

Next, he'll be claiming he rode in that helicopter with James Lee Witt!

Somebody get Candy Crowley on the phone! She's sure to help us get this one out there . . . not.

[PurityOfEssence]

5. Yes!!! Absolutely correct, and it was missed.

Not sure about that Danish submarine working with us, but this was a classic issue of Kerry getting it right and the media getting it wrong.

Kick.

[progdonkey]

7. that's what I thought, thanks for confirming

I had always been under the (now proven correct) impression that Poland came in with 9000 troops only for the rebuilding.

[Kat 333]

8. I was stunned when Shrub said that too ...

My recollection was that Poland didn't send troops in until quite some time after the US attacked Iraq. When they flashed over to Kerry, he seemed about to laugh.

[JackDragna]

9. Yes, a grand coalition..

..Costa Rica, Tanna Tuva, Burkina Faso, Andorra..all the best nations one could fit into a reasonably-sized suburban backyard. I wish I could have some of whatever Bush smokes to keep himself in his farcical fantasy world.

[Solar]

10. muhaha!

I decided to engrain this saying into the annuals of pop culture.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=you+forgot+poland&r=f