Now He Tells Us

Lest anyone tell you that the reasons for invading Iraq have changed, make sure you let the President do so:

And the reason why it’s successful — important to be successful in Iraq, because, one, we want to help establish a democracy in the heart of the Middle East — the most volatile region in the world. Two, we want to send a clear message to Iran that they’re not going to be able to have their way with nations in the Middle East. Three, that we want to make it clear that we can defeat al Qaeda. Al Qaeda made a stand in Iraq. They’re the ones who said, this is the place where the war will take place. And a defeat of al Qaeda will be a major victory in this war against extremists and radicals. Four, we want to show what’s possible to people. There are reformers all over the Middle East who want to know whether or not the United States and friends will stand with these young democracies.

Here’s the entire statement:  President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia

A little more from the CinC on the use of the military:

I’m worried about an opponent who uses nation building and the military in the same sentence.

Nov. 6, 2000  George W. Bush

Let me tell you what else I’m worried about: I’m worried about an opponent who uses nation building and the military in the same sentence. See, our view of the military is for our military to be properly prepared to fight and win war and, therefore, prevent war from happening in the first place. (more)

I don’t think our troops ought to be used for what’s called nation building.

Oct. 11, 2000  George W. Bush

Somalia. It started off as a humanitarian mission then changed into a nation-building mission and that’s where the mission went wrong. The mission was changed. And as a result, our nation paid a price, and so I don’t think our troops ought to be used for what’s called nation building. I think our troops ought to be used to fight and win war. I think our troops ought to be used to help overthrow a dictator when it’s in our best interests. But in this case, it was a nation-building exercise. And same with Haiti. I wouldn’t have supported either. (more)

A nation-building corps from America. Absolutely not.

Oct. 11, 2000  George W. Bush

I think what we need to do is convince people who live in the lands they live in to build the nations. Maybe I’m missing something here. I mean we’re going to have kind of a nation-building corps from America. Absolutely not. Our military is meant to fight and win war. That’s what it’s meant to do and when it gets overextended, morale drops.

Hmmmm, maybe he’s onto something there.