RHETORIC:

"The troops here and across the world are fighting a global ware on terror. The war reached our shores on September the 11th, 2001.
-President Bush [Bush Speech at Ft. Bragg, 6/28/05]

FACT:

1. PRIOR TO THE INVASION OF IRAQ, PRESIDENT BUSH INACCURATELY LINKED 9/11 WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN

*Prior to Engaging in War with Iraq, Bush Insists that Saddam Hussein Aided Al Qaeda.

In order to garner support for the war in Iraq, President Bush linked September 11th as a logical reason to invade Iraq. During the 2003 State of the Union Address President Bush said, "Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protect terrorists, including members of Al Qaeda." [CNN, 1/29/2003, Transcript of President Bush's second State of the Union Address]

*Days Before the Iraq War Began Bush Stated that Hussein Harbored Terrorists.

Almost two years after the tragedy of September 11th, Americans were still grieving from their losses. They were searching for answers to many unanswered questions. Days before the invasion of Iraq President Bush told the nation "Iraq has aided, trained and harbored terrorists, including operatives of Al Qaeda." ["Presidential Address to the Nation," 3/17/2003. Foreign Policy Leadership Council.] This comment was all that many Americans needed to hear in order to justify going to war in Iraq.

2. TWO YEARS LATER, BUSH DENIED ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN IRAQ AND SEPTEMBER 11TH

*Bush Admits that there is Absolutely No Evidence Linking Saddam Hussein and 9/11.

Despite Bush's emphasis upon the connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda as a rationale behind the war in Iraq, on September 17, 2003, President Bush officially stated, "We've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved with September 11th." [Associated Press, 9/17/03]

*The September 11th Commission Report Proves No Connection Between Al Qaeda and Iraq.

Bush continued to insist that there was evidence to prove a connection between Al Qaeda and Iraq. However, the bipartisan 9/11 Commission Report concluded that contacts between Iraq and Al Qaeda do not appear to have resulted in a collaborative relationship. The 9/11 Commission also noted in the report that there was no credible evidence that Iraq and Al Qaeda cooperated on the attacks against the United States. [Washington Post, 6/17/2004]

*Despite 9/11 Commission Findings Bush Continues to Tell America There is a Connection.

Even after the release of the 9/11 Commission Report Bush continued to support the theory of a direction connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda terrorism. Bush is quoted as saying, "The reason I keep insisting that there was relationship between Iraq and Saddam and Al Qaeda, because there was a relationship between Iraq and Al Qaeda." [CNN, 6/17/2004]

3. A YEAR AFTER THE 9/11 COMMISSION RULED OUT ANY CONNECTION, BUSH CONTINUES TO INSIST THAT THE WAR IN IRAQ IS LINKED TO SEPTEMBER 11TH

*During Bush's June 28th Speech He Continues to Exploit the Tragedy of 9/11 to Justify the War in Iraq.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi accused Bush of demonstrating a willingness to "exploit the scared ground of 9/11, knowing that there is no connection between 9/11 and the war in Iraq." Bush referenced September 11th five times during his speech, which was intended to update America on a timeline and status of the war in Iraq. Instead of giving Americans a clearer picture of where we are, Bush continued to mislead Americans about a connection between 9/11 and the war. [CNN, 6/29/2005]

*Bush Referenced 9/11 Five Times During the Speech.

During a speech that was intended to shed light on the realities of the war in Iraq, Bush diverted from the facts and referenced 9/11 several times in order to invoke feelings of patriotism. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid said, "The President's numerous references to September 11th did not provide a way forward in Iraq. They only severed to remind the American people that our most dangerous enemy, namely Osama Bin Laden, is still on the loose and Al Qaeda remains capable of doing this nation great harm nearly four years after it attacked America," [USA Today, 6/29/2005]

*Bush Tries to Associate the Terrorists of 9/11 with Iraq.

While trying to explain the importance of remaining in Iraq to fight the rising number of terrorists cells Bush attempted to connect the terrorists groups in Iraq with the people responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Bush stated, "We are fighting men with blind hatred&they are trying to shake our will in Iraq, just as they tried to shake our will on September 11, 2001." [CNN, 6/29/2005]