Cheney/Edwards Debate--October 2004

I wrote this immediately following the debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards on October 5, 2004.

If the United States ever hopes to recover its position of leadership and respect in the world, our citizens must elect leaders who are honest, competent, and willing to admit-- and correct--their mistakes. The debate between Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John Edwards underscored the fact that the leaders of the Bush administration cannot claim any of those traits this country so badly needs in its leaders.

Bush and Cheney both have argued that the preemptive war against Iraq was part of the war on terror in response to the 9/11 attacks. Yet Cheney said he has never suggested a connection between Iraq and 9/11. The fact is he has been one of the most vocal administration officials to argue that an alleged meeting (the existence of which has been widely discredited) between hijacker Mohamed Atta and an Iraqi agent in April 2001 offered evidence of an Iraqi connection to the 9/11 attacks.

Cheney's comments during the debate were laced with claims that the Administration's policies have been working to make America stronger, more prosperous, and more secure. Establishing a policy of preemptive attack cannot strengthen America. Establishing policies that encourage downsizing jobs and sending them offshore cannot make America more prosperous. Sending our soldiers to war under false premises and failing to establish a plan for ending the war cannot make America more secure.