As I recall the debate, when talkiing about the war in Iraq, Bush said something to the effect that we were atttacked and he had to defend the country. It was only when Kerry said that Iraq didn't attack us that Bush said "I know that!"

Now you may argue that Bush's first remark was only an implication, but saying that an attack on Iraq was a defense against the attack on 9/11 could only mean that he considered Iraq responsible. That's the concept behind the word "defense;" protecting oneself against those who attack you.

Likewise, when a reporter asked Ari Fleischer about the innocent civilians killed in Iraq he said "The true innocents are those who died on 9/11." That's the old terrorist catchphrase:"There are no innocents." And if you think Ari F and George W weren't trying to connect Saddam and 9/11 you are a different kind of innocent.

clint