Tina Smith: “we passed the resolution on regime change. In a post-9/11 world, with that intelligence that we had from President…”

“we passed the resolution on regime change. In a post-9/11 world, with that intelligence that we had from President Clinton's administration and with that belief that he was a clear and growing danger to this country, and for all the reasons which President Bush has articulated, we did what President Clinton said we would ultimately have to do: Change that regime. I tell you, my belief is that those who would say the war on terrorism is here, but Saddam Hussein is somehow exempted from that, are engaging in a theory because the truth is, he was, by every measure, a central financier and tormenter of terrorism. Ask the Israelis. Where did Hamas get its money? There is a way out. There is a deadline that is drawing out of the shadows all those who want to compete for power. A lot of poison is being drained out of the Iraqi system and America is bearing the burden, but we will see a gradual transition of power and sovereignty from us to the Iraqi people because our country does not aspire to the territory or treasury or oilfields of Iraq. We desire a more peaceful world. President Bush has concluded, yes, we can swat flies and we can send cruise missiles here and there, but the truth is, if the fundamentals on the ground cannot be changed to give the people some democratic institutions, frankly, nothing is going to be changed in the Middle East.”