Even assuming that the President’s line in the State of the Union was false, it is

hard to believe that it was a deliberate lie. He had to know that if the statement

were false, it would be discovered–and most likely before the next election.

Moreover, what was gained by its inclusion? The case for invasion could have

been made without that line. In fact, the case was made, in later presentations

by the President and other administration officials, without that line. Nothing to

gain by lying; a great deal to lose–so it’s sort of hard for me to believe it was

made with an intent to deceive.

This just shows that the Democrats are reaching. They know that Bush’s

strengths are (1) his character and (2) foreign policy. This allows them to hit him

on both of those points, while hiding–especially Dean–from their own foreign

policy records.