Rachel Maddow Dismantles Tom Ridge on Iraq War

Rachel Maddow is proof that good journalism exists on television night after night, but tonight, Maddow refuses to let Tom Ridge off the hook. Let’s go to the video:

You can see the entire video on MSNBC.

Some quotes:

“You were a crucial, authoritative part of making what turned out to be a false case to the American people abut Iraq being a threat and us needing to attack them.”

“…and if you dont see that the system was broken and if you think it was just that the intel was wrong. I think that you are one of the most trusted voices on national security for the Republican Party, and I think that’s the elephant in the room. I dont think you guys get back your crediblity on national security until you realize that was a wrong decison made by policy makers, it wasn’t the spies’ fault.”

And then Ridge argues that if Iraq becomes a democratic nation, the Iraq War will be vindicated.

“If you can go back in time and sell the American people on the idea that 4,000 Americans ought to lose their lives and we ought to lose those trillions of dollars for democracy in Iraq, you have a wilder imagination than I do.”

“We were sold that war because of 911, We were sold that war because of the threat of weapons of mass destruction from this guys who didn’t have them, and the government should have known it.”

Photo courtesy of carnegie-collierrotary.org

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Ann H.

3:28AM PDT on Sep 7, 2009

Rachel is very smart and she nailed the issue. I do agree with Mr. Ridge's comment about civility. Their debate was made better because of the calm reasoned manner in which they both comported themselves.

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greenplanet e.

7:21PM PDT on Sep 4, 2009

I like the way Maddow keeps calm.

She didn't say anything about the 100 000 to 1 million people (or more) Iraqi people who have been killed, maimed and displaced byt the invasion, though.

Carol H.

7:19AM PDT on Sep 4, 2009

The whole thing was wrong and there is no way to unring that bell and now we will paying for this mistake for the rest of our lives and our childrens lives and that is a fact.

Roger S.

8:19PM PDT on Sep 3, 2009

I agree with the above comments. It is pathetic that we live in a time and place where the "masses" can be so easily brainwashed by our corrupt political leaders. It is another sign of the sickness in our society to see how the American people simply didn't do their homework (their patriotic duty) to elect people who are responsible to us the citizens of the country.
A 10 minute google search would have told the average American that Bush was not fit to be President:
- He was and is a oil man with very questionable business practices at best.
- Has had a pro-big business and anti-environmental stance for years
- Etc.
This should have been enough for the average person to not vote for him, but We were and are still asleep.

The Bush & gang carried out their ambitions written in PNAC (Project for a New American Century.) 9/11 was the work of professionals. Events occurred that could only occur with insider help. Buildings in a collapse cannot fall at near free fall speed. Office materials cannot vaporize without a massive amount of energy besides office fires. 9/11 was the event they used to catapult the US into the middle east to harbor control over oil and NG resources. And to increase their personal wealth along with the wealth of weapons and energy companies. AMERICANS MUST STOP and realize we have to become educated to the BIG SCAM. If we continue to vote for the 2 party system that is run by the corporations we as a nation will continue to lose. Educate &

Paul P.

11:54AM PDT on Sep 3, 2009

Rachel Maddow represents what a true journalism is all about. Bush and his cronies should be held accountable for the loss of american (and Iraqi civilian) lives and the trillions wasted.
Keep it up Rachel !

Ann G.

11:41AM PDT on Sep 3, 2009

Rachel Maddow, I applaud you. Especially in the contrast to the bigots on Fox, your show brings a breath of reason to the media these days.

Kathy F.

11:30AM PDT on Sep 3, 2009

Kudos to Rachel Maddow. I've watched her show since it debuted. She is consistently smart, informed, accurate, truthful, calm, well-spoken, and extremely respectful of her guests, whether she agrees with them or not. She also assumes that her audience is intelligent and thoughtful. She's the best!

Kim C.

7:46AM PDT on Sep 3, 2009

I saw this on Maddow's show. Too bad they weren't asking these questions 8 years ago.

Jill J.

11:54PM PDT on Sep 2, 2009

I must applaud Rachel Maddow (again and again) for her composure and eloquence opposite a steadfast Republican (Ridge) that obviously drank the kool-aid and didn't even like it!

11:43PM PDT on Sep 2, 2009

I wish I was as well-spoken as these other bloggers....All I can say is "AN EYE FOR AN EYE MAKES THE WORLD BLIND"....I believe Cheney, Bush, Rush, Palin etc. are trying to destroy all hope with their virulent hostile rhetoric...The Republican HELL'S ANGELS are masturbating through their shotguns and leaving carnage in their wake!