Candidate Review

 

Capturing Saddam Hussein

 

General Wesley Clark

 

General Wesley Clark, who recently testified against Slobodan Milosevic, had this to say.

"Now, we now have another dictator in custody. Saddam Hussein was responsible for starting two wars in the Gulf. His forces used chemical weapons against the Kurds in Iraq and against Iran. And his government was responsible for massive human rights abuses in Iraq. Saddam's capture is good news for the Iraqi people and for the world.

Our Armed Forces and intelligence community deserves great credit for locating Saddam, tracking him down, and bringing him from his snake-hole to justice."

Clark's article also goes over how he feels the trial should be conducted. He feels that it should be held in Iraq, the sight of Saddam's crimes. Secondly, he feels experts in international law, from both the United States and other nations, should be consulted on the format of the trial. Third, he feels that Saddam should be held accountable for his impact on the international community (particularly Kuwait, Iran and the Kurds). And fourth, he feels that capital punishment should be on the table as a punishment for Saddam.

"Given the heinous nature of Saddam Hussein's crimes, I firmly believe that the death penalty should be on the table as a possible punishment. I believe that the death penalty should be applied to war criminals, those who've used chemical weapons, and those responsible for genocide. And as I believe the proceedings will show, Saddam is responsible for every single one of these heinous crimes and deserves the ultimate punishment."

One quibble. Holding Saddam responsible for his international effect may have the effect of embarrassing the United States and the Bush Administration, as it opens the door to Saddam discussion the source of his poison gas.

 

Former Governor Howard Dean

 

These comments are from Howard Dean's big foreign policy speech, and contain the bit that has some conservatives all a-twitter. Of course placed in a bit more context, it seems a lot less nutty, and actually makes sense.

"First I want to say a few words about events over the weekend. The capture of Saddam Hussein is good news for the Iraqi people and the world. Saddam was a brutal dictator who should be brought swiftly to justice for his crimes. His capture is a testament to the skill and courage of U.S. forces and intelligence personnel. They have risked their lives. Some of their comrades have given their lives.

All Americans should be grateful. I thank these outstanding men and women for their service and sacrifice.

I want to talk about Iraq in the context of all our security challenges ahead. Saddam's capture offers the Iraqi people, the United States, and the international community an opportunity to move ahead. But it is only an opportunity, not a guarantee.

Let me be clear: My position on the war has not changed.

The difficulties and tragedies we have faced in Iraq show that the administration launched the war in the wrong way, at the wrong time, with inadequate planning, insufficient help, and at unbelievable cost. An administration prepared to work with others in true partnership might have been able, if it found no alternative to Saddam's ouster, to then rebuild Iraq with far less cost and risk.

As our military commanders said, and the President acknowledged yesterday, the capture of Saddam does not end the difficulties from the aftermath of the administration's war to oust him. There is the continuing challenge of securing Iraq, protecting the safety of our personnel, and helping that country get on the path to stability. There is the need to repair our alliances and regain global support for American goals.

Nor, as the president also seemed to acknowledge yesterday, does Saddam's capture move us toward defeating enemies who pose an even greater danger: al Qaeda and its terrorist allies. And, nor, it seems, does Saturday's capture address the urgent need to halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction and the risk that terrorists will acquire them.

The capture of Saddam is a good thing which I hope very much will help keep our soldiers safer. But the capture of Saddam has not made America safer."

 

Senator John Edwards

 

Here is Senator Edwards official statement on the capture of Saddam.

"Today, every American and people all over the world are waking up to the good news that Saddam Hussein is no longer free. But no citizens are happier to learn of his capture than the Iraqi people who endured his torture and oppression for decades. They have been waiting to hear of his demise and we are all grateful that they finally received this welcomed news.

Since last March our men and women in uniform have been working with courage and commitment to help the Iraqi people create the country of their dreams: one that is free, democratic, and free from Saddam Hussein's terrible reign. We are all so proud of their efforts not just today, but every day as they work tirelessly to bring democracy to Iraq.

Our military leaders have accomplished a great success. I hope President Bush will use this opportunity to chart a course in Iraq that will bring in our allies in a meaningful way to achieve a democratic and peaceful Iraq."

 

Representative Dick Gephardt

 

Here is Representative Gephardt, who has apparently christened himself the comeback kid, on the capture of Sadddam Hussein.

"Today is a great day for our troops, the Coalition forces and the people of Iraq.

I supported this effort in Iraq without regard for the political consequences because it was the right thing to do. I still feel that way now and today is a major step toward stabilizing Iraq and building a new democracy.

For many years, we will be confronted with a war on terrorism that is unfinished. This will be a long and difficult struggle and we need a president who has the credibility to unite the American people and our allies in an effort to make our nation and our world safe."

And here is his reaction to Governor Dean's foreign policy address.

"Yesterday, Howard Dean said that Saddam Hussein's capture was 'above politics,' but today he delivered a speech described by the Washington Post as 'repositioning' himself to the center.

Let's be clear. Howard Dean has been playing politics with foreign policy for over a year and his repositioning is just the latest Howard Dean political game. Despite issuing contradictory statements on Iraq over the last year, Governor Dean has used this issue to constantly attack his Democratic opponents and to seek political advantage."

I would caution against using the Comeback Kid to figure out what the Dean Campaign is all about.

 

Senator John Kerry

 

Here is Senator Kerry's Official Statement.

"This is a great day for U.S. forces, the Iraqi people, and the world. Capturing Saddam Hussein and ensuring that this brutal dictator will never return to power is an important step towards stabilizing Iraq for the Iraqis."

Let’s also be clear: Our problems in Iraq have not been caused by one man and this is a moment when the administration can and must launch a major effort to gain international support and win the peace. We need to share the burden, bring in other countries, and make it clear to the world that Iraq belongs to the Iraqi people."

Today is another opportunity to invite the world into a post-Saddam Iraq and build the coalition to win the peace that we should have built to win the war.”

Kerry is also apparently trying to push himself as the Anti-Dean. So we'll see how that goes.

 

Senator Dennis Kucinich

 

No big surprise from Representative Kucinich, he is in favor of getting us out of Iraq, and sees the capture of Saddam as the signal. Anyway here's his official statement.

"With the capture of Saddam Hussein the Administration's stated goal of removing him from power has been accomplished. Now the focus must be on ending the occupation. International law must be followed and Saddam Hussein must be held accountable for his actions.

The United States must seize this moment and end the occupation of Iraq. The United States must reach out to the world community with a new plan to stabilize Iraq, bring UN peacekeepers in, and bring US troops home."

 

Senator Joe Lieberman

 

Joe Lieberman has a surprisingly religious take on the capture.

"Hallelujah, praise the Lord. This is something that I have been advocating and praying for for more than twelve years, since the Gulf War of 1991. Saddam Hussein was a homicidal maniac, a brutal dictator, who wanted to dominate the Arab world and was supporting terrorists.

He caused the death of more than a million people, including 460 Americans who went to overthrow him. This is a day of glory for the American military, a day of rejoicing for the Iraqi people, and a day of triumph and joy for anyone in the world who cares about freedom, human rights, and peace.

This evil man has to face the death penalty. The international tribunal in The Hague cannot order the death penalty, so my first question about where he's going to be tried will be answered by whether that tribunal can execute him. If it cannot be done by the Iraqi military tribunal, he should be brought before an American military tribunal and face death."