Suggestion for Tonight's HARDBALL Appearance
Dear Gov. Dean,
I fully expect that Mr. Matthews plans to ask you what the Democratic Party stands for. And I'm sure you'll have some good answers. You might even suggest that he not buy the GOP spin that Democrats don't stand for anything.
With regard to Iraq, you have been very clear that the president got us into this war without telling us the truth about why we were going. But I don't think that saying the White House lied about WMD and links to Al-Queda goes far enough. They did take us to war for a reason and we need to be very clear in articulating what that reason was.
If I were your speech writer or your political strategist, here (below the fold) is how I would lay it out for Chris Matthews and his viewers...
The occupation of Iraq was not about Weapons of Mass Destruction.
The occupation of Iraq was not about any connection to Al-Queda or 9-11.
And the occupation of Iraq certainly had nothing to do with democracy.
The occupation of Iraq was about controlling the flow oil from the Middle East. Not for cheap gas for our SUVs in the United States. But to hold the rest of the world's energy needs hostage to the neo-Conservatives and Crooked Corporate Elite who, unfortunately, now control our government and our foreign policy.
TESTIMONY OF
WILLIAM KRISTOL
Chairman, Project for the New American Century
To the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
February 7, 2002
A friendly, free, and oil-producing Iraq would leave Iran isolated and Syria cowed; the Palestinians more willing to negotiate seriously with Israel; and Saudi Arabia with less leverage over policymakers here and in Europe. Removing Saddam Hussein and his henchmen from power presents a genuine opportunity - one President Bush sees clearly - to transform the political landscape of the Middle East.
http://www.newamericancentury.org/defense-20020207.htm
William Kristol
Testimony Before
The House Committee on International Relations
Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia
May 22, 2002
In particular, removing the regime of Saddam Hussein and helping construct a decent Iraqi society and economy would be a tremendous step toward reducing Saudi leverage. Bringing Iraqi oil fully into world markets would improve energy economics.
http://www.newamericancentury.org/saudi-052302.htm