AND THE NOMINEES ARE :
Senator Bob Graham (D, Florida). On December 8, 2002, Senator Graham stated "We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction."
Senator Hillary Clinton (D, New York). On October 10, 2002, Senator Clinton stated "In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
Representative Henry Waxman (D, California). On October 10, 2002, Congressman Waxman stated "He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do."
Senator Ted Kennedy (D, Massachusetts). On September 27, 2002, Senator Kennedy stated "We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
Senator Carl Levin (D, Michigan). On September 19, 2002, Senator Levin stated "We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them."
Former Senator and Vice President Al Gore. On September 23, 2002, Al Gore stated "We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary Of State. On November 10, 1999, Madeline Albright stated "Hussein has chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies."
Representative Nancy Pelosi (D, California). On December 16, 1998, Congresswoman Pelosi stated "Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
Senators Carl Levin (D, Michigan), Tom Daschle (D, South Dakota), John Kerry (D, Massachusetts) and others. On October 9, 1998, a letter to President Clinton signed by these aforementioned Senators stated "We urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Advisor. On February 18, 1998, Sandy Berger stated "He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has 10 times since 1983."
Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary Of State. On February 18, 1998, Madeline Albright stated "Iraq is a long way from here, but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face."
AND THE SEMI-FINALISTS ARE :
Former President Bill Clinton. On February 17, 1998, President Clinton stated "If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
Senator John Kerry (D, Massachusetts). On October 9, 2002, Senator Kerry stated "I will be voting to give the President Of The United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security."
Former President Bill Clinton. On February 4, 1998, President Clinton stated "One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
Former Senator and Vice President Al Gore. On September 23, 2002, Al Gore stated "Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power."
AND THE WINNER OF THE FIRST ANNUAL HYPOCRISY AWARD GOES TO:
Senator John Kerry (D, Massachusetts). On January 23, 2003, Senator Kerry stated "Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime. He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction. So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real."
Congratulations, Senator Kerry! Among the gifts in your prize package are a one-week stay at the Michael Moore Health Spa and Personal Hygiene Center, a two-week seminar at the Barbra Streisand/Susan Sarandon School of American Foreign Policy, and a lifetime supply of Heinz Ketchup!