“If you don't believe…Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn't vote for me.”

— John F. Kerry

usatoday.com, February 11, 2003 http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-02-11-dems-war-uast_x.htm

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John F. Kerry 31

politician from the United States 1943

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“The vast majority of Europeans always believed that the threat posed by Saddam Hussein was more tolerable than the risk of removing him. But Americans, being stronger, developed a lower threshold of tolerance for Saddam and his weapons of mass destruction.”

Robert Kagan book Of Paradise and Power

Of Paradise and Power, p. 31

“For the moment, let me say this: Saddam Hussein's regime is despicable, he is developing weapons of mass destruction, and we cannot leave him doing so unchecked. He is a threat to his own people and to the region and, if allowed to develop these weapons, a threat to us also.”

Tony Blair (1953) former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Hansard http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020410/debtext/20410-04.htm, House of Commons 6th series, vol. 383, col. 23.
House of Commons statement on discussions with President Bush over the Middle East, 10 April 2002.
2000s

“I was convinced before the war that the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of Saddam Hussein required a vigorous and sustained international response to disarm him.”

Joseph C. Wilson (1949–2019) American ambassador

What I Didn't Find in Africa (2003)
Context: I was convinced before the war that the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of Saddam Hussein required a vigorous and sustained international response to disarm him. Iraq possessed and had used chemical weapons; it had an active biological weapons program and quite possibly a nuclear research program — all of which were in violation of United Nations resolutions. Having encountered Mr. Hussein and his thugs in the run-up to the Persian Gulf war of 1991, I was only too aware of the dangers he posed.
But were these dangers the same ones the administration told us about? We have to find out. America's foreign policy depends on the sanctity of its information. For this reason, questioning the selective use of intelligence to justify the war in Iraq is neither idle sniping nor "revisionist history," as Mr. Bush has suggested. The act of war is the last option of a democracy, taken when there is a grave threat to our national security. More than 200 American soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq already. We have a duty to ensure that their sacrifice came for the right reasons.

“The fact that now we know well that there is proliferation of nuclear weapons and that many of the weapons that Saddam Hussein had, for example, we do not know where they are, so that means the terrorists have access to all that.”

Paul Martin (1938) 21st Prime Minister of Canada

Globe and Mail (May 11, 2004)

“Two weeks later they still have not been found. The question is, where is Saddam Hussein? Where are those weapons of mass destruction, if they were ever in existence? Is Saddam Hussein in a bunker sitting on cases containing weapons of mass destruction, preparing to blow the whole place up?”

Vladimir Putin (1952) President of Russia, former Prime Minister

In a Press conference, regarding the weapon of mass destruction of Iraq. (May 1, 2003) https://archive.is/20130705182739/www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_1-5-2003_pg4_1
2000 - 2005

“There can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more.”

Colin Powell (1937) Former U.S. Secretary of State and retired four-star general

Remarks to the United Nations Security Council (5 February 2003) http://web.archive.org/web/20050204130309/http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/17300.htm; in an interview (September 2005) http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Politics/story?id=1105979&page=1 with Barbara Walters, Powell was asked about the Security Council speech and responded that it was a "blot" on his record… "it will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It's painful now."
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“He [Saddam Hussein] will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983.”

Sandy Berger (1945–2015) US National Security Advisor

(18 February 1998); Quoted on U S News, October 25, 2011 http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/Jamie-Stiehm/2011/10/25/obama-adept-abroad-inept-at-home/comments

“(as Tony Blair): "Look we believe Saddam has weapons of mass destruction. Now if we don't attack him, then he might not use them, and in that case we'll never know whether he's got them or not. And you know, that's not a risk I'm prepared to take. Besides if we do conquer Iraq, and remove Saddam Hussein, there's a chance we could win the Nobel Peace Prize, and you know, frankly, isn't that something worth going to war for?"”

Rory Bremner (1961) British comedian

On the imminent Iraq war (2003)

“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security. This much is undisputed… This is a difficult vote. This is probably the hardest decision I have ever had to make. Any vote that may lead to war should be hard, but I cast it with conviction.”

Hillary Clinton (1947) American politician, senator, Secretary of State, First Lady

Senate speech (10 October 2002) http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_record&docid=cr10oc02-70
Senate years (2001 – January 19, 2007)

“No one believes for a moment the embargo will prompt the Iraqi people to rise against Saddam Hussein.”

Alexander Cockburn (1941–2012) Leftist journalist and writer

"New millennium, old crime: those sanctions against Iraq," http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/2/2000/617 The Free Press (1 December 2000).

“If you don't believe…Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn't vote for me.”

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John F. Kerry 31

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