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Defend iraq visit { October 2 2002 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32955-2002Oct2.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32955-2002Oct2.html Democrats Defend Visit to Iraq By Jim Abrams Associated Press Writer Wednesday, October 2, 2002; 1:12 PM WASHINGTON –– Two Democratic congressmen, brushing off criticisms they were aiding the enemy, said Wednesday their mission to Iraq succeeded in impressing on Iraqis that war was likely if they did not agree to unfettered inspections of weapons stockpiles. Reps. Jim McDermott of Washington and David Bonior of Michigan, both Vietnam War-era veterans, also said at a news conference that they felt obligated to inform Americans of the risks they faced by going to war with Iraq. McDermott said he was stunned by "the extent to which the Iraqi people are ready to fight house-to-house." He asked whether the United States should "be taking on this country all by itself when the Arab world is now seething with recruits for Osama bin Laden." The two lawmakers, and Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., returned Tuesday night from their visit to Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. In news conferences while in Iraq they urged the Iraqis not to interfere with the inspection process and the Bush administration to give those inspections a chance to work before taking military action. Republican leaders strongly criticized the visit, with Sen. Don Nickles of Oklahoma, the Senate's No. 2 Republican, saying they "both sound somewhat like spokespersons for the Iraqi government." House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, said McDermott was "totally out of touch with the most fundamental tenet of congressional responsibilities" and that he and other liberals had "just basically regressed to their childhood days of Vietnam War protests." McDermott said he was not a pacifist but had "a responsibility as a patriot, as someone who loves his country, to speak up for what I believe." War, added Bonior, "destroys lives in such a profound way." McDermott stressed that "I don't trust Saddam Hussein under any circumstances," but said President Bush had confused the issue by shifting the issue from disarmament, which could be accomplished diplomatically, to regime change, which would require war. © 2002 The Associated Press

4 reps visit { October 3 2002 } Bush will mislead { September 30 2002 } Congressman in iraq Congresswoman secretary accused iraqi spy Conressman visits { September 16 2002 } Daschle erupts [jpg] Daschle erupts Defend iraq visit { October 2 2002 } Democrat warhawk attacks chicken hawks { November 17 2005 } Legislator said cowards cut and run Maryland activist charged iraqi spy { March 12 2004 } Murray defends comments { January 9 2003 } Only black legislatures attend anti war rally Republican opposition to iraq plan grows { December 2007 } Sen byrd accuses bully Sen byrd blank check { October 4 2002 } Senators question evidence { January 30 2003 } Story.thompson.mcdermott [jpg] Top republicans break { August 16 2002 } Files Listed: 19

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