The American Spectator

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.): “Saddam’s Existing Biological And Chemical Weapons Capabilities Pose Real Threats To America Today, Tomorrow.” ROCKEFELLER: “We must eliminate that [potential nuclear] threat now before it is too late. But that isn’t just a future threat. Saddam’s existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose real threats to America today, tomorrow. … [He] is working to develop delivery systems like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that could bring these deadly weapons against U.S. forces and U.S. facilities in the Middle East. He could make these weapons available to many terrorist groups, third parties, which have contact with his government. Those groups, in turn, could bring those weapons into the United States and unleash a devastating attack against our citizens. I fear that greatly.” (Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) Believed Saddam’s “Arsenal Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction” Represented “An Unacceptable Threat.” KERRY: “The Iraqi regime’s record over the decade leaves little doubt that Saddam Hussein wants to retain his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and, obviously, as we have said, grow it. These weapons represent an unacceptable threat.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/9/02)

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) Warned That — If Left Unchecked — Saddam Would Continue To Increase His Unconventional Weaponry And Even Develop Nuclear Weapons. CLINTON: “In the four years since the inspectors, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. … It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capability to wage biological and chemical warfare and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.” (Sen. Hillary Clinton, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) Said Saddam Was A “Terrible Danger” To America Because Of His “Vigorous Pursuit” Of Weapons Of Mass Destruction. SCHUMER: “[It] is Hussein’s vigorous pursuit of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, and his present and potential future support for terrorist acts and organizations, that make him a terrible danger to the people to the United States.” (Sen. Charles Schumer, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) Claimed To “Understand The Grave Danger Posed To America … By Weapons Of Mass Destruction In The Hands Of A Reckless Dictator Like Saddam Hussein.” “Saddam Hussein is a brutal dictator, who has brought nothing but pain and suffering to the Iraqi people and threat and instability to his neighbors throughout the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. … I understand the grave danger posed to America and the whole international community by weapons of mass destruction in the hands of a reckless dictator like Saddam Hussein.” (Sen. Tom Harkin, Congressional Record, 10/10/02)

Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) Announced In 2002 That Within Five Years Saddam Would Possess “Tactical Or Theater Nuclear Weapons.” BIDEN: “My view is if five years from now Saddam Hussein is in power, left unfettered with $5 billion to $7 billion a year to pursue his weapons, he will be a grave danger to us, in the sense that he will intimidate the area and we will be unwilling to go after him because he’ll have tactical or theater nuclear weapons.” (CNN’s Larry King Live, 10/9/02)

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) Simply Stated: “There Is No Question That Iraq Possesses Biological And Chemical Weapons.” DODD: “There is no question that Iraq possesses biological and chemical weapons and that he seeks to acquire additional weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. That is not in debate. I also agree with President Bush that Saddam Hussein is a threat to peace and must be disarmed, to quote President Bush directly.” (Sen. Chris Dodd, Congressional Record, 10/8/02)

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) Felt Saddam’s Chemical And Biological Weapons Posed “A Considerable Threat To Us.” NELSON: “Well, I believe he has chemical and biological weapons. I think he’s trying to develop nuclear weapons. And the fact that he might use those is a considerable threat to us.” (CNBC’s “Tim Russert,” 9/14/02)

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) Listed The Weapons At Saddam’s Disposal: “Ballistic Missiles, Anthrax, Sarin Gas, VX And Smallpox.” BAYH: “Today, Hussein already has ballistic missiles, anthrax, sarin gas, VX and smallpox, and he could someday soon have nuclear weapons at his disposal. As much as I wish we could ignore this threat, it is my heartfelt conviction that we cannot.” (Sen. Evan Bayh, Op-Ed, “Bayh Justifies The Need For Using Force Against Iraq,” The Indianapolis Star, 10/10/02)