From a reader:

Just thought I would mention in response to Drum’s “After all, before 9/11
George Bush and his advisors had little concern for terrorism and expressed
frequent contempt for things like nation building and democracy promotion.”
Bush has changed his world view in light of 9/11. Prior to it, he was
opposed to nation building because the U.S. did not discern a major threat
to its survival in the world. 9/11 changed that and Bush reacted
accordingly.
Kerry has also changed his worldview. Prior to 9/11 he was for removing
Hussein, after 9/11 he was against it (I’m being generous about his
consistency post 9/11). Before 9/11 remove Saddam, afterward retreat.