Bob Dole: “I want to address the repeated attacks towards the Bush administration's role in Iraq. Yesterday, one critic claimed…”

“I want to address the repeated attacks towards the Bush administration's role in Iraq. Yesterday, one critic claimed that our unilateral policy in Iraq has steadily drifted from tragedy to tragedy and made America less safe. The very mention of Iraq and the current situation there incites what I have begun to call the ``liberal naysayers'' to launch into steady streams of empty rhetoric against our plans in Iraq. Just this week these critics said that our troops are paying the price for flawed policy. These brazenly political claims have no basis, in fact, and serve no purpose other than to undermine the administration in a time of war. In liberating Iraq, we have rid the nation and the rest of the world from the danger of Saddam Hussein. 46 of the 55 of his most wanted regime members have been captured or killed. In removing this tyrant from power and undermining his regime, we have brought about increased security in a nation that at one time barely comprehended the term. Today, over 150,000 Iraqis, including 75,000 new police personnel, are protecting the Iraqi people. Recently the Iraqi Governing Council signed the Transitional Administrative Law. This unprecedented framework promises long overdue civil rights for all Iraqis.”