prior to the IWR vote. I did not hear the speech but I just read that he said the following.
"when I made the decision to take out Saddam, I received strong bi-partisan support."
That directly contradicts statements made by Bush himself and other admin officials prior to the invasion.
The IWR was voted on by the Senate on October,11 2002Bush's decision to invade Iraq - quotesNovember 7, 2002
A reporter asks President Bush if he thinks a war against Iraq might be a bad idea given widespread concerns that it could “generate a tremendous amount of anger and hatred at the United States ...
creating many new terrorists who would want to kill Americans.” Bush responds that the US should not avoid taking action out of fear that it might “irritate somebody would create a danger to Americans.” He also adds that no decision has been made with regard to using force against Iraq. “Hopefully, we can do this peacefully,” he says. “And if the world were to collectively come together to do so, and to put pressure on Saddam Hussein and convince him to disarm, there's a chance he may decide to do that. And war is not my first choice ... it's my last choice. But nevertheless, it is ... an option in order to make the world a more peaceful place.”
People and organizations involved: George W. Bush
December 4, 2002
During a question and answer period following President Bush's signing of the Dot Kids Implementation and Efficiency Act of 2002, the president is asked about the weapon inspectors' progress in Iraq and if he believes “the signs are not encouraging that they're doing their job.” Bush responds: “This isn't about inspectors. The issue is whether Saddam Hussein will disarm. Will he disarm in the name of peace.” He also condemns Iraq's shooting of US and British planes that have been patrolling the so-called “no-fly” zones over northern and southern Iraq (see June 2002-March 2003) and contends that these actions demonstrate that Saddam does not intend to comply with UN Resolution 1441 (see November 8, 2002). Bush also implies that no decision has been made to use military force against Iraq. “The best way for peace is for Mr. Saddam Hussein to disarm,” he insists. “It's up to him to make his decision.”
People and organizations involved: George W. Bush
December 31, 2002
At his ranch in Texas, President Bush tells a reporter who questions whether the world is safer heading into 2003: “I hope this Iraq situation will be resolved peacefully. One of my New Year's resolutions is to work to deal with these situations in a way so that they're resolved peacefully.” To another reporter's question, he similarly states: “I hope we're not headed to war in Iraq. I'm the person who gets to decide, not you. I hope this can be done peacefully.”
People and organizations involved: George W. Bush
Early January 2003
According to Bob Woodward's book, Plan of Attack, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice visits George Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Bush tells her: “We're not winning. Time is not on our side here. Probably going to have to, we're going to have to go to war.” When the contents of Woodward's book are reported in mid-April 2004, many people interpret Bush's statement as a decision to go to war. But Rice will deny that that was the case. “... I just want it to be understood: That was not a decision to go to war,” she will say. “The decision to go to war is in March. The president is saying in that conversation, I think the chances are that this is not going to work out any other way. We're going to have to go to war.”
People and organizations involved: Condoleezza Rice, George W. Bush Will the media pick up on this slip?
Jay
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