Dems on Iraq: What Kerry Voted For and What Bush Did

UPDATE 2007: Also, what Hilary Voted For and What Bush Did

COMMENT: Also see John Dean and Alan Dershowitz books outlining what happened.

In particular, read the following excerpts, which specify what the President must determine BEFORE
going to war:

3.
b) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION- In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in
subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon thereafter as
may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his
determination that 

(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either (A)
will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing
threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations
Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and 

(2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries
continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist
organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized,
committed or aided the terrorists attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. 
=======================

The fact that the President was supposed to provide Congress with info that determined the
connection between Iraq and 9/11 meant NEW information that they didn't already have, otherwise
they wouldn't be asking for the President to provide it to them.  But what did Bush do?  He
provided them with the EXACT same info they had before they enacted this resolution!


======================

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030319-1.html

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate 


March 18, 2003 

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) 

Consistent with section 3(b) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq
Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), and based on information available to me, including that
in the enclosed document, I determine that: 

(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic and other peaceful means alone will
neither (A) adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing
threat posed by Iraq nor (B) likely lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security
Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and 

(2)[/b] acting pursuant to the Constitution and Public Law 107-243 is consistent with the United
States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international
terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who
planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11,
2001.[/b] 

Sincerely, 

GEORGE W. BUSH 

==========================
According to John Dean, the enclosed documents were word for word, the EXACT same intelligence
reports as was provided to the Congress prior to the passing of the original resolution.  They were the same evidence that Powell presented to the U.N.