FL Senate debate: on War & Peace


Betty Castor: Would have let Bush use force in Iraq with given information

Q: Would you have supported the 2002 congressional resolution authorizing Bush to use force in Iraq?

CASTOR: Based on the information Congress had at the time, I'd have voted for it. I'm glad we got rid of Saddam and am proud of our troops in Iraq. They must have all the equipment and resources necessary to protect themselves and restore order. To move forward, Bush should work with NATO to establish a multinational force headed by the US, as we did in Afghanistan. We need a strong alliance to restore order in Iraq and ease the burden on US troops and taxpayers.

MARTINEZ: I firmly believe the decision to use force in Iraq was necessary. In the days following 9/11, we discovered the strength of al-Qaida and the severity of the terrorist attacks. We could defeat terrorists where they live or continue to respond to their attacks on our soil. The confluences of WMD, terrorists willing to strike our homeland, and countries that harbor terrorists create the need for the US to act.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Mel Martinez: The decision to use force in Iraq was necessary

Q: Would you have supported the 2002 congressional resolution authorizing Bush to use force in Iraq?

CASTOR: Based on the information Congress had at the time, I'd have voted for it. I'm glad we got rid of Saddam and am proud of our troops in Iraq. They must have all the equipment and resources necessary to protect themselves and restore order. To move forward, Bush should work with NATO to establish a multinational force headed by the US, as we did in Afghanistan. We need a strong alliance to restore order in Iraq and ease the burden on US troops and taxpayers.

MARTINEZ: I firmly believe the decision to use force in Iraq was necessary. In the days following 9/11, we discovered the strength of al-Qaida and the severity of the terrorist attacks. We could defeat terrorists where they live or continue to respond to their attacks on our soil. The confluences of WMD, terrorists willing to strike our homeland, and countries that harbor terrorists create the need for the US to act.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Betty Castor: Finish the job in Iraq, repair relations with other nations

Now that the US is in Iraq, it has to finish the job, but it also has to repair relations with other nations. We have got to continue to fight to get back that high ground and that respect among other nations.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, on News4Jax.com

Mel Martinez: Iraq was the right decision with or without WMD

Iraq was the right decision whether or not Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. He certainly had the intent and had been supporting terrorists.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, on News4Jax.com

  • The above quotations are from Florida Senate debate: Mel Martinez (R) vs. Betty Castor (D), Oct. 18, 2004.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on War & Peace.
  • Click here for more quotes by Mal Martinez on War & Peace.
  • Click here for more quotes by Betty Castor on War & Peace.
Other candidates on War & Peace:
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
John Edwards
John Kerry

Third Party Candidates:
Michael Baradnik
Peter Camejo
David Cobb
Ralph Nader
Michael Peroutka

Democratic Primaries:
Carol Moseley Braun
Wesley Clark
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
Joe Lieberman
Al Sharpton
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