So in a speech yesterday Bush said this:
Today, some Americans ask whether removing Saddam caused the divisions and instability we’re now seeing. In fact, much of the animosity and violence we now see is the legacy of Saddam Hussein. He is a tyrant who exacerbated sectarian divisions to keep himself in power.
I actually have some sympathy for this perspective. But it does contrast starkly with Bush’s pre-war views, as recorded in the January 31, 2003 “White House Memo”:
The memo indicates the two leaders envisioned a quick victory and a transition to a new Iraqi government that would be complicated, but manageable. Mr. Bush predicted that it was “unlikely there would be internecine warfare between the different religious and ethnic groups.” Mr. Blair agreed with that assessment.
Again, Bush’s speech was yesterday (Wednesday). This memo story was on the front page of the New York Times two days before (Monday). So…would it be too much to ask for some enterprising reporter to repeat both instances of Bush’s words back to him, and politely ask when between January 31, 2003 and March 29, 2006 HE MANAGED TO FIGURE THIS OUT?
I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess: yes, it is too much to ask.