Jeb Bush Reverses: He Now Says He ‘Would Not Have Gone Into Iraq’

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks at a Clark County Republican Party dinner Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Thursday offered yet another answer on the Iraq war saying that, given what he knows now, he would not have authorized an invasion of Iraq.

Those comments strongly contrast ones he made on Monday to Fox’s Megyn Kelly when he said he would have authorized an invasion. A day later, he backtracked, saying he misheard the question and did not know what he would have done. On Wednesday, Bush said he refused to answer as it would be a disservice to American troops.

But at an event in Tempe, Arizona, on Thursday, Bush gave yet another answer.

“I would have not engaged. I would not have gone into Iraq,” Bush said.

Bush’s initial comments sparked criticism from likely and declared 2016 candidates. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who’s strongly hinted at a White House bid, said he would not have gone into Iraq given what we know today. Declared candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said “of course not” when asked the question.

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Notable Replies

  1. ANd NOW BUSh SHITs ON OUr sOLDiers BY claIMing He wouldn’T go INTO IRaq. Our SOLDIers RIDDEd SADDam OF his WMDs and TRAnsformed THE MIddle EAst into A staBLE deMOCracy forever!!!1!!!one1!!!

  2. It may be that the Iraqi government provided assistance in some form to the recent attack on the United States. But even if evidence does not link Iraq directly to the attack, any strategy aiming at the eradication of terrorism and its sponsors must include a determined effort to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. Failure to undertake such an effort will constitute an early and perhaps decisive surrender in the war on international terrorism. The United States must therefore provide full military and financial support to the Iraqi opposition. American military force should be used to provide a “safe zone” in Iraq from which the opposition can operate. And American forces must be prepared to back up our commitment to the Iraqi opposition by all necessary means.
    ~PNAC letter to President George Bush 9/20/01

  3. Oh good lord. Is it too early to call Jeb’s campaign an epic failure? I just don’t see how he recovers from this.

  4. Avatar for Ivee Ivee says:

    It’s too late to try and stuff that toxic toothpaste back into the tube.

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