January
26, 2005
Remarks By Senator
Pete V. Domenici (R-New Mexico) Regarding the Confirmation
of Dr. Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State
Mr. President, I thank Senator Lugar for finding time
for me to express my views to the Senate and to those who
might be listening or viewing the Senate proceedings.
I say to Senator Lieberman, I appreciate very much the
broad scope of his statement with reference to America and
the world, and I thank him for stating his views, which
are my views, and I think the views of an overwhelming number
of Senators - 77 of them who voted for us to proceed with
this approach to Iraq.
I think we all know our intentions, regardless of what
some may say, are good and that the objective is that something
good happen for the people of Iraq and for America and the
world.
Having said that, I have been dismayed to hear - not everyone
on the other side - but some use words such as ``liar,''
to use words as to this nominee - Condoleezza Rice - that
called her a liar, implied she was a liar, who implied the
President intentionally misled. I would like to zero in
on that for a minute and those who have been putting forth
that accusation - I am not talking about those who oppose
the war. I am talking about those who say the policy was
fraught with intentional misleading information about weapons
of mass destruction.
I want to step back and say to my fellow Senators and
those listening: What if today we were considering for Senate
approval Secretary of State Colin Powell? Just think with
me. He is the nominee. He is being reconfirmed for Secretary
of State. What would the Senators who were here talking
about Condoleezza Rice or our President intentionally misleading,
being a liar, implying they had information they withheld,
what would they say about Colin Powell?
On a certain day, Colin Powell appeared before the United
Nations. Remember that day? February 5, 2003. I remember
it. I think millions and millions of people remember it:
maps, overviews, a firm statement by him about weapons of
mass destruction. Now I ask: Where did he get his information?
Was he lying? Did he mislead the American people? Was he
intentionally trying to force upon us a policy that was
not based upon what he said but that those facts were dreamed
up? I believe that neither Senators nor the people of America
would believe he was not telling the truth.
My point is, he got his information from exactly the same
source that our President did, that the Prime Minister of
Great Britain did, that all leaders at that point did, that
we the Congress did. The President did not get his information
from someplace in the sky, nor did Colin Powell. There was
only one source: the accumulation of intelligence by the
United States intelligence-gathering institutions. They
told our President, Condoleezza Rice, and Colin Powell what
was going on, and they all said, what? That there were weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq, and that Saddam was a danger
- an exceptional danger - because he had weapons of mass
destruction.
Frankly, I believe there are those who have become partisan
on this issue, and I almost would say, and should say, extremely
partisan, who have become totally political on this issue
and totally personal. There is no evidence whatsoever that
Colin Powell lied, that he was misleading us, that Condoleezza
Rice was a part of a policy to mislead the American people,
nor that the President was. They all had the same information.
One would not think that from what we have heard on the
floor. One would not think that as you hear those who want
to deny her this nomination.
Frankly, that argument does not wash. It is not consistent
with reality. It is dreamed up. It is political. It is for
no other reason than to insert false and untrue information
and facts into this discussion. She deserves the nomination.
The President did not intentionally mislead. Those who
oppose the war ought to say it and quit exaggerating and
being political and personal about their attacks.
Mr. President, I thank Senator Lugar, and I yield the
floor.
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