Republican Congressman Says Iraq War Was Mistake

Republican Congressman Says Iraq War Was Mistake: "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Breaking ranks with the White House and his Republican leaders in Congress, Rep. Doug Bereuter of Nebraska has said in a letter to constituents the U.S. military action in Iraq was a mistake.

The Iraq war was a 'costly mess' with no quick way out, wrote Bereuter, vice chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a senior member of the House International Relations Committee.

'I've reached the conclusion, retrospectively, now that the inadequate intelligence and faulty conclusions are being revealed, that all things being considered, it was a mistake to launch that military action especially without a broad and engaged international coalition,' he said in the letter dated Aug. 6."

Note that Bereuter is leaving Congress and he's not running for any office, so (unlike Bush & Kerry, and most Congressional seat-holders) he doesn't need to defend a previous position in favor of military action or military authority; he's free to say "this was a mistake". Refreshing, no?

Also, one might think, as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, he ought to know if there is some terrible secret regarding the threat Iraq posed. Apparently, there is none.