The national press corps was probably too deferential to the White House and to the administration in regard to the most important decision facing the nation during my years in Washington, the choice over whether to go to war in Iraq.
McClellan criticizes the press for not being more critical of the White House during the lead-up to the Iraq war.
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Colin Powell was apparently the only adviser who even tried to raise doubts about the wisdom of war. The rest of the foreign policy team seemed to be preoccupied with regime change or, in the case of Condi Rice, seemingly more interested…
I think it was smart to confront Saddam Hussein. But our options were either, Saddam comes clean or we go to war.
This is a White House that doesn't like to look back. The president doesn't like to spend time reflecting.
Unfortunately, I think too many people today do look at Washington and say, 'All they're giving us is spin and manipulation, and they're not working together to get things done.'