Feith: Did The Bush Administration Ever Say Iraq Would Be Easy? ‘Absolutely Not’
Feith: Did The Bush Administration Ever Say Iraq Would Be Easy? ‘Absolutely Not’
Douglas Feith, former Undersecretary of Defense and an architect of the Iraq war, has been hitting the media circuit to promote his new book — and to continue blaming others for the war, defending former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and distorting former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s record.
Yesterday, he appeared on the Brian Lehrer show, on WNYC. Lehrer brought up the so-called “Parade of Horribles” Feith discusses in his book, and asked why the American public was only told that the war “would be a cakewalk.” Feith insisted no one from the administration had said that:
LEHRER: The public was never told that the Parade of Horribles were considered possibilities. Instead we were told it would be a cakewalk. Were you–
FEITH: You weren’t told that by the administration. Absolutely not.
When Lehrer played a clip from Meet the Press in which Vice President Cheney claimed the U.S. would be “greeted as liberators” in Iraq, Feith dismissed it as “one of the more optimistic comments” but said that others, “especially” Rumsfeld, “were a lot more reserved than that.” He also insisted that “the initial reaction of many of the Iraqis was to greet us as liberators.”
Listen to it:
In fact, as everyone knows, the Bush Administration and its allies declared repeatedly that the war would be relatively easy, quick, and painless:
Press Secretary Ari Fleisher: “My point is, the likelihood is much more like Afghanistan, where the people who live right now under a brutal dictator will view America as liberators, not conquerors.” [10/11/02]
White House Chief of Staff Andy Card: “I think the Iraqi people would welcome freedom with jubilation.” [1/26/03]
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld: “The people will be enormously relieved and liberated.” [3/20/03]
Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz: “The Iraqi people understand what this crisis is about. Like the people of France in the 1940s, they view us as their hoped-for liberator. They know that America will not come as a conqueror.” [3/11/03]
Vice President Dick Cheney: “I’m confident that our troops will be successful, and I think it’ll go relatively quickly…Weeks rather than months.” [3/16/03]
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: “I do not mean that we will need to maintain a military presence in Iraq as was the case in Europe.” [8/7/03]
Chairman of the Defense Policy Board Richard Perle: “And a year from now, I’ll be very surprised if there is not some grand square in Baghdad that is named after President Bush. There is no doubt that, with the exception of a very small number of people close to a vicious regime, the people of Iraq have been liberated and they understand that they’ve been liberated. And it is getting easier every day for Iraqis to express that sense of liberation.” [9/22/03]
It looks like Feith can add “lying” to the list of his post-White House activities.
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Does anyone on the right pay any attention to Feith?
Seems to me that his “desperately casting about for relevance” tour is mostly useful for liberals, to highlight the base stupidity of BushCo’s minions.
And a better spokesmodel for that purpose could not be had.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pmdidn’t someone in government once call Feith the dumbest asswhole he ever met?
April 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pmUh, flowers, candy, cakewalk? Six months, I doubt more than that????
April 16th, 2008 at 1:31 pmFeith based government is a disaster.
Here you have it, folks. Just like the Bush Library, history is being rewritten before our very eyes.
Feith will be joining Cheney, Bush & Rummy at The Hague in ‘09.
Rewrite THAT, M’Fo’s.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:32 pmLEHRER: The public was never told that the Parade of Horribles were considered possibilities. Instead we were told it would be a cakewalk. Were you–
FEITH: You weren’t told that by the administration. Absolutely not.
“Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.” President Moron, 5/1/03
“The war could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.?” Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld [2/7/03]
“We will, in fact, be greeted as liberators. . . . I think it will go relatively quickly… (in) weeks rather than months.” Vice President Cheney [3/16/03]
“What is, I think, reasonably certain is the idea that it would take several hundred thousand U.S. forces I think is far from the mark.” Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld 2/27/03
“The notion that it would take several hundred thousand American troops just seems outlandish.” Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, 3/4/03
Spot on , as usual , Dougie Feith Howser , you lying sack of shit………..
April 16th, 2008 at 1:33 pmFeith should be on his way to Gitmo as we speak. All he does is lie, day-to-day and actually think that people believe his crap!
WHAT A HACK!
April 16th, 2008 at 1:33 pm“And a year from now, I’ll be very surprised if there is not some grand square in Baghdad that is named after President Bush.
In a short time, one would be very surprised if there wasnt’ some gallows square dedicated to Bush.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:34 pmThis is why you idiot neocons have no credibility whatsoever.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:35 pmAh yes, lying looks so good on ones resume.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:37 pmI don’t think that easy or hard is the question. The most important question is why is the United States in Iraq? Easy or hard the war is bogus. Give us the specific reasons why the U.S. is in Iraq and tell us the truth “this” time. If you don’t say oil and strategic positioning you are a lyin’ sack of s**t. It had nothing to do with terrorism up front but now the party faithful like yourself are giving it an Al Quaeda spin.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:39 pmWhat’s most galling about this is that Feith will probably make a lot of money on this worthless book.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:44 pmjdc Says:
——————————————————————————–
Wonder how long it will take for us to see Jimmy Carter in Iran humping Muqtada Al Sadar’s leg in an effort help complicate matters.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Carter meeting with Hamas “complicates matters” moreso than habitual lying by the idiots who planned Chimpy’s Idiotic Iraq Adventure , eh turdburglar ?
Nice party of “personal responsibility” you still stupidly and blindly support there , shitstain.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:46 pmLiar, liar…
April 16th, 2008 at 1:47 pmHe looks like a stupid liar.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:48 pmOf all the wingnut welfare queens, Dougie seems to be the most intent on wrecking whatever reputation he may once have had.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pmJebus. What an idiot.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pmOops, I said a naughty. Do over!
Tommy Franks was right. Feith really is “the stupidest f_cking guy on the planet.”
April 16th, 2008 at 1:53 pmSigh. More rewriting of history. Their hope is that enough people haven’t been paying attention, and will accept this new version of the situation.
This presidency reminds me of the writing on the side of the barn in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:53 pmBTW JustaDopeyCorky
What does Carter or Sadr have to do with Dougie Feith Howser typically lying like everyone from Chimpy’s administration does ?
That’s the best you can do ?
You are such a loser tool.You aren’t even an American.
This jackass BLATANTLY LIES and you try to deflect deserved criticism of him by bringing up something not even remotely connected or relevant.
You really are a pathetic piece of shit.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:57 pmjust saw this at http://www.commondreams.org
Army “Rewards” Outspoken Antiwar Soldier
Sgt Ronn Cantu has been promoted to SSgt. He signed the redress to Congress, and gave interviews to 60 minutes and Democracy Now, as well as IPS fully describing his oppostion to the Iraq war. the army is soooo stretched, that it now must promote dissenters.
OUTSTANDING!
April 16th, 2008 at 1:59 pm4.0
eatmybush Says:
April 16th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Flag the dopey troll.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:02 pmUncle Ho Says:
——————————————————————————–
didn’t someone in government once call Feith the dumbest asswhole he ever met?
General Franks..
April 16th, 2008 at 2:03 pmFeith’s denials border on being sociopathic. He helped to organize the push to war, based on his use of faulty intelligence, then denies the very activity that bushco used to hoodwink America.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:03 pmEven more ironic, is that the MSM, who bought into the administration’s/Feith’s lies, is giving this guy a platform to spew his distorted view of history.
Can anyone understand what the wannabe-troll is saying in post #20?
It sounds like complete gibberish to me.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:04 pmjdc Says:
——————————————————————————–
Wonder how long it will take for us to see Jimmy Carter in Iran humping Muqtada Al Sadar’s leg in an effort help complicate matters.
This one is easy. Your lame and crude attempt to paint carter as ‘complicating’ the ME is laughable at best, sheer nonsense at worst. Follow along closely here: if we talk to those who want to kill us, we can probably create less violence due to leaning more about the ‘other side’ and finding common ground. If we simply try to kill them (man, women, and child), nobody gains any knowledge of each other and the violence will escalate. Plus the children of those we kill will undoubtably want to harm us in revenge.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:04 pmCarter meets with a democratically elected governing body and the neoconistas have a spaz attack. Typical. they don’t care about democracy, or decency, or governance, or competence. they want their hands held.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:06 pmTypical of these wingnuts to make statements like that as if no one had recorded anything on video or audio. “No, no, no one said anything like that” — roll tape.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:06 pmI would, Zoo, but I can’t figure out what it’s saying.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:07 pmRalph; what the troll posted is unintelligible gibberish.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:10 pmI just wish one of these Bush Neocons would come forward and admit the truth:
1. Even prior to 911, Bush wanted to Invade Iraq for a multitude of reasons (his personal ego, oil reserves, Neocon Utopian views, etc), but none of which could get a majority of the American people or the congress to support without a “Pearl Harbor event”.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:11 pm2. 911 happened - the Pearl Harbor event.
3. The Iraq war was SOLD to the US based on fear, lies, exaggerations, and withholding contrarian views from the American people.
4. They assumed that the ends would justify their means, even if caught by the post 911 sychophant press.
5. #4 didn’t work out so well so now they have to recreate history with “non fiction” books like Feith’s.
ralph the wonder llama Says:
I would, Zoo, but I can’t figure out what it’s saying.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
You need a better reason?
April 16th, 2008 at 2:12 pmAs Bugs Bunny once said, “What a maroon…”
April 16th, 2008 at 2:14 pmWe will be greeted as liberators and the Iraqi people will be throwing flowers at the feet of the American soldiers, am I right Dick Cheney?
April 16th, 2008 at 2:15 pmSometimes I find myself in awe of the neocon capacity for blatant lies. There are plenty of groups which are defined by their liars, but, these guys are off the chart.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:16 pmIsn’t there a law against criminals profiting from books about their criminal activities?
April 16th, 2008 at 2:17 pmOnly a-holes believe other a-holes.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:17 pmOh, I see now. As Uncle Ho pointed out, it IS unintelligible gibberish.
Whether that’s a stylistic choice or a sad reflection of personal limitation, however, is open to question.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:17 pmeatmybush Says:
——————————————————————————–
you know what i’m saying. your clames have 0 merit. no one in this administration claimed this war would be easy. This site is no different than the O’Reilly Factor!!
So the numerous quotes listed in the story give you no idea how ‘easy’ the illegal invasion and occupation was purported to be? What do the quotes of our chickenhawk leaders tell YOU about how easy or difficult they thought it would be? Plus your spelling sucks! Next!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pmjdc Says:
Wonder how long it will take for us to see Jimmy Carter in Iran humping Muqtada Al Sadar’s leg in an effort help complicate matters.
April 16th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
______
Now Jimmy Carter would never do that. He’s far too well-versed in international diplomacy. He’d kiss Mr. As-Sadr on both cheeks, as is customary in Arab culture.
That having been said, I hope it’s not too late for President Carter to make a pit stop in Qom. If anyone could help sort out that mess, it’s Jimmy Carter.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:18 pm“My belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.” –March 16, 2003
“I think they’re in the last throes, if you will, of the insurgency.” — on the Iraq insurgency, June 20, 2005
“It’s hard to conceive that it would take more forces to provide stability in post-Saddam Iraq than it would take to conduct the war itself and to secure the surrender of Saddam’s security forces and his army. Hard to imagine.” –Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, testifying before the House Budget Committee prior to the Iraq war, Feb. 27, 2003
April 16th, 2008 at 2:20 pmjdc Says:
I’ve often wondered if the Iraq war had anything to do with Saddam defying 16 UN Resolutions many which threatened force if he didn’t comply.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
If defying UN Resolutions was a cause for US invasion, we’d have rolled tanks into Tel Aviv years ago.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:22 pm33 emb=trajan the wonder condom? Wipe the drool dufus. I know it’s hard to spell and punctuate correctly with a lobotomy,but do try. What are “CLAMES”???
April 16th, 2008 at 2:23 pmI seriously doubt it. Try comparing Saddam’s alleged insouciance with other countries who have failed to acknowledge or abide by even more UN resolutions. Israel comes to mind…
April 16th, 2008 at 2:26 pmspecialist f Says:
33 emb=trajan the wonder condom? Wipe the drool dufus. I know it’s hard to spell and punctuate correctly with a lobotomy,but do try. What are “CLAMES”???
Molluscs? Oh, wait. . . that makes even less sense. No, that’s impossible, since it made no sense in the first place.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:27 pmeatmybush Says:
Time to make Troll Soufle.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:28 pmThe difference between Bart Simpson and a neocon? Sometimes, when Bart says “I didn’t do it”, he didn’t do it. With a neocon you, not only, know he DID do it, but, he violated 17 other rules, regulations, and laws, to cover up the initial lie. And probably sealed the deal with offers, and demands, of perverted sex.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:28 pmIf the U.N. wanted troops in Iraq there would be U.N. troops in Iraq. Duh!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:29 pmMay he tell his tall tales to the judge at the Hague. They will never believe him just as we never will. Just a neocon with another lie.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:29 pmPrediction: Sales of his book likely to exceed 1,000. Mostly due to this asswipe buying a bunch and giving them away instead of fruitcakes later this year.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:30 pmHey Doogie, I’ll buy your book if you promise to shove it where it belongs.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:31 pmKeep the Feith, baby!
Iraq = Feith based ‘initiative’
Feith, Fie, Fo, Fum.
I smell the lies of Neocon scum!
BOO!
April 16th, 2008 at 2:35 pmIt’s quite remarkable that Donald Rumsfeld of all people — in a memo Feith calls “the Parade of Horribles” — predicted exactly what the “downsides” to war would be. Even more remarkable is that it seems he took every step necessary to fulfill his own doomsday prophesies. Literally every single one of these has come to fruition.
Feith’s response?:
“We certainly understood that these are the things that might happen. That’s why we wrote them down.
Well I’m certainly glad you wrote them down, that was a big help. I take it the upside of going to War had a longer list. Since you guys were making lists.
If that is even half true about the lists; not only is Feith stupidest man on the planet but so are the rest of them. Lists are for Grocery Shopping and Running Errands not for deciding do we or do we not go to War. OMG
April 16th, 2008 at 2:35 pmOf course, from the moment Bush sent Powell to lie to the U.N; Bushco has rejected any input from that august body. Lord knows the U.N. has it’s own issues, but, they’ve never managed to screw up an occupation as badly as Iraq.
In fact, our next U.N. Ambassador better be a champion butt kisser if there is any hope of real improvement in Iraq. His/her first speech should begin something like, “We are shamed and mortified by U.S. foreign policy after 9/11. We’re sorry. Help us fix it and we promise to never do anything like it again.”
With luck, compassion, and about 50 years; Americans might be able to walk the streets of civilized nations without drawing sneers.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:39 pmI heard Feith on the Gil Gross show (I think) yesterday, and Gross made the same point: if everyone was considering all of these bad things that could develop and did develop, why weren’t the American people told this?
Feith’s answer was that everyone knows that in a war things can go horribly wrong, that that’s how war has always been, and that this is such common knowledge that there was no need for the administration to point it out, and in fact it didn’t. He would not come off of this point.
He also wouldn’t address directly what people like Franks and Powell have said about him. His responses: “I think that’s a bad way of talking,” and it’s not a productive way to address a very important issue. As I recall, the characterization of Doug Feith was the issue, and the consensus was that he’s an idiot.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:40 pmThe Bush administration never directly “tells” anyone anything so they can make ridiculously transparent misleading semantical claims of deniability for the things they screw-up, which is everything. Anyone who believes anything that comes out of this politcal whore’s mouth about Iraq deserves to be water-boarded and forced to listen to Cheney’s hunting stories. Feith is a liar, a cheat, a conspirator and a traitor to the Constitution of the United States of America who should be tried for treason with Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Gonzales, Miers, Bolten and Wolfowitz.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:41 pmjdc says:
I’ve often wondered if the Iraq war had anything to do with Saddam defying 16 UN Resolutions many which threatened force if he didn’t comply.
Well… no.
Saddam Hussein won’t change and he’ll continue playing games. The time has come to get rid of him. That’s it. As for me, I’ll try from now on to use a rhetoric that’s as subtle as can be while we’re seeking approval of the resolution.
President Bush, Crawford Transcript of February 22, 2003
April 16th, 2008 at 2:41 pmgo feith yourself
April 16th, 2008 at 2:41 pmLying is really a part of the job description for these people.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pmNo one calls them out on it, so why not ?
It is part of successfully dodging accountability.
The msm carries them gently along just like the worthless scum that they are.
If I’m ever at Costco and they are out of toilet paper I head right to the Coulter/Hannity/Feith books…
April 16th, 2008 at 2:52 pmDon’t forget:
“It could last, you know, six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.”
[SecDef Rumsfeld, 7 Feb 2003]
or:
“There is a lot of money to pay for this. It does not have to be U.S. taxpayer money. We are dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction.”
[Paul Wolfowitz, 27 Mar 2003]
or:
April 16th, 2008 at 2:53 pm“Mr. Wolfowitz, the deputy defense secretary, opened a two-front war of words on Capitol Hill, calling the recent estimate by Gen. Eric K. Shinseki of the Army that several hundred thousand troops would be needed in postwar Iraq, ‘wildly off the mark.’ “,
[Paul Wolfowitz, 28 Feb 2003
(… because, you will recall, “Iraq has no history of ethnic strife”!)]
Hasn’t lying been added as a skill-set if you apply for a job with the Bush Administration?
April 16th, 2008 at 2:53 pmThe quotes don’t counter Feith’s assertion. With the exception of Cheney’s ‘weeks, not months’ the quotes provided don’t say it was going to be easy.
I mean, that quote is a no-brainer prediction, and does not contain any reference to the war being easy.
By all means hammer right-wingers for the Iraq mess, but there’s no need to insult logic in the process.
April 16th, 2008 at 2:57 pmI’m far less concerned about Feith than McWarmonger.
What’s done is done. Let’s not let them start bombing Iran in July to establish Martial Law in August, (in the name of National Security), to justify canceling the November elections.
Keep your eye on the ball, not the words.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:10 pmYeah. After all, it’s not like the Bush Administration ever used vague language to imply that things would be swell, is it?
That would be dishonest.
And George Bush is an honorable man.
Douglas Feith is an honorable man.
They are all honorable men.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:12 pmBS, pinhut.
Those *sshats in the WH bragged about it.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:12 pmAnybody remember which STUPID LIAR NEOCON (OCK$UCKER TRAITOR said that the Iraq invasion would pay for itself?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:22 pmHow do you make a souffle out of shit?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:25 pmFeith is not even a good liar. This dud should consider heavy medication, perhaps of lead.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:25 pmBefore the war, White House economic adviser Lawrence Lindsay estimated the cost at $100 to $200 billion. So the White House got rid of him and “re-estimated” the cost at $50 to $60 billion. It’s now over 3 trillion.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:27 pmThe neocons, Rumsfeld, Cheney, Wolfowitz, etc. were just totally unrealistic. “We are dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon.” – Wolfowitz, March 28, 2003.
Also The War Criminal Chenney assure that the “US was going to be greated as liberators”
The time to hold these War Crminals accountable is over due. The time to arrest them for War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Crimes of Agression is over due. That goes also for the bastard D. Feith!
One old retired Jimmy Carter is worth more than nation wide combined GOP.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:30 pmFeith: Did The Bush Administration Ever Say Iraq Would Be Easy? ‘Absolutely Not’
Absolutely YES… does the comment from Bush Iraq will be a cake walk ring any bells? How far are these neocons going to go in attempts in rewriting history? In the clip, Scumshamity is lapping these comment up.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pmPinhut go to Iraq and sit on the front line!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pmIf any one from this criminal administration asserts anything, we know the oposite is true!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:35 pmI guess he missed the assclown-in-chief with his stuffed codpiece in front of a big ole “mission accomplished” sign.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:36 pmI hear you pinhut:
This is a far more relevant quote:
Feb. 7, 2003 Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, to U.S. troops in Aviano, Italy: “It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.”
April 16th, 2008 at 3:43 pmThere’s no liar like a Cheney-Bush liar!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:43 pm“Bush frequently distorts the truth.”
“Bush often fails to answer honestly.”
“Bush has a tendency to make stuff up.”
“Bush is not well acquainted with the truth.”
Now, none of the above statements say Bush is a liar, do they, Mr. Feith?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:46 pmJ… I was looking for that quote! I was going to write as I remember, but you have it! Thanks!
April 16th, 2008 at 3:46 pm#64 ralph the wonder llama Says:
That would be dishonest.
And George Bush is an honorable man.
Douglas Feith is an honorable man.
They are all honorable men.
Ralph, I’m impressed you were able to say that with a straight face. It was great method acting once again.
I would applaud you…but I’m too busy LMAO Thanks…
April 16th, 2008 at 3:53 pmWas he the Bushie who said that they are making their own reality?
April 16th, 2008 at 3:55 pmDoesn’t he know that people will look this stuff up?
Feith’s statement literally read says that the administration never told anyone “it would be a cakewalk”. I.e. that the administration never used the word “cakewalk.” As far as I know this is technically correct.
Lehrer was too specific in his characterisation of “what we were told,” which left his question wide open for refutation by an ideologue like Feith who could never admit to having to do with anything remotely like a mistake in public.
Lehrer should have asked about the administration’s over-estimation of taking control of Iraq, and under-estimating the insurgency. I.e. using more generic terms for what happened.
I am not defending Feith mind you, just explaining how ideologues, demogogues and neocons take advantage of language; usually using and thinking of themselves as speaking in general terms while almost always working from a position of using their “opponents” words in exacting, literal terms.
April 16th, 2008 at 3:55 pmHere we go:
Feb. 13, 2002Ken Adelman
“I believe demolishing Hussein’s military power and liberating Iraq would be a cakewalk.” - Washington Post
Cheney, 03/2006. “Q: Do you still believe the insurgency is in its final throes? Cheney: Yes.”
Mar. 27, 2003Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Defense Secretary
We’re dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon.”
Mar. 25, 2003Richard Perle, Chairman of the Defense Policy Board
I can’t tell you exactly how many days or how many weeks. But by historical standards, this will be a short war.
Jan. 10, 2003Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense
“Well, the Office of Management and Budget, has come up come up with a number that’s something under $50 billion for the cost. How much of that would be the U.S. burden, and how much would be other countries, is an open question.”
Nov. 15, 2002Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense
“The idea that it’s going to be a long, long, long battle of some kind I think is belied by the fact of what happened in 1990,” he said on an Infinity Radio call-in program. “Five days or five weeks or five months, but it certainly isn’t going to last any longer than that.”
Bush, 5/2005. “Good news to the men and women who fought … their mission is complete.”
April 16th, 2008 at 5:39 pmYour kind of logic got us into this mess. Try again, you have 2 balls left.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:37 pmYou are far more generous than most. I have heard their half-lies enough. Their actions speak much louder and you can’t deny the obvious.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:46 pm” … I think it will go relatively quickly; weeks rather than months.” The universe is 14 billion years old, give or take a few Friedman units, so 264 weeks is indeed relatively quick. Why all the bashing of our play-callers? I’d write more, but I gotta bounce over to Barnes and Noble while they still have copies of Doug’s book. They will make great five-year Mission Accomplished anniversary gifts. Freedom is on the surge! … I mean, the march is working! … I mean, oh, screw it.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:23 pmhe didn’t say it would be easy BUT HE LIED TO MISLEAD THIS COUNTRY INTO A CRIMINAL WAR
April 16th, 2008 at 8:43 pmLEHRER: The public was never told that the Parade of Horribles were considered possibilities. Instead we were told it would be a cakewalk. Were you–
FEITH: You weren’t told that by the administration. Absolutely not.
When Lehrer played a clip from Meet the Press in which Vice President Cheney claimed the U.S. would be “greeted as liberators” in Iraq, Feith dismissed it as “one of the more optimistic comments” but said that others, “especially” Rumsfeld, “were a lot more reserved than that.” He also insisted that “the initial reaction of many of the Iraqis was to greet us as liberators.”
*****************************************************
Rumsfeld more reserved than Cheney? Um…not really. Feith seems to be suffering from a rather convenient attack of selective amnesia with regard to this little gem of a quote:
“It is not knowable how long that conflict would last. It could last, you know, six days or six weeks. I doubt six months.” (Donald Rumsfeld — February 7, 2003)
Does that sound like someone who was “reserved” about the possibility of success in Iraq? Hardly.
Kudos to Lehrer for finally doing what every self-respecting journalist in this country should have been doing for the past six-odd years — confronting the Bush administration on camera with recorded evidence which demonstrates what blatant and shameless liars they are. That’s real journalism.
April 16th, 2008 at 8:57 pmIn a Washington Post article titled “CAKEWALK” Feb 12, 2002 Ken Adelman said: ““I believe demolishing Hussein’s military power and liberating Iraq would be a cakewalk.”
April 17th, 2008 at 12:38 amApril 2003, Andrew Natsios, the head of the US Agency for International Development, said American taxpayers would not pay more than $1.7 billion in reconstruction costs. “$1.7 billion is the limit,” he said on ABC’s “Nightline.”
TED KOPPEL: I mean, when you talk about 1.7, you’re not suggesting that the rebuilding of Iraq is gonna be done for $1.7 billion?
NATSIOS: Well, in terms of the American taxpayers contribution, I do, this is it for the US.
…
KOPPEL: You’re saying the, the top cost for the US taxpayer will be $1.7 billion. No more than that?
NATSIOS: For the reconstruction. And then there’s 700 million in the supplemental budget for humanitarian relief, which we don’t competitively bid ’cause it’s charities that get that money.
KOPPEL: I understand. But as far as reconstruction goes, the American taxpayer will not be hit for more than $1.7 billion no matter how long the process takes?
NATSIOS: That is our plan and that is our intention. And these figures, outlandish figures I’ve seen, I have to say, there’s a little bit of hoopla involved in this. [ABC, Nightline, 4/23/03]
April 17th, 2008 at 12:53 amI remember something vaguely about a “cake walk”.
Then there was something like being “greated as liberator”.
Was it Rumsfeld that said ” it could take a month, three weeks, I doubt 6 months “?
Cheney said something in penguin talk like, “waaack”.
April 17th, 2008 at 3:47 am