Economist.com | America and Iraq

Is Iraq part of the war on terror? Yes, says Mr Bush. At the Republican convention, he asked: “Do I forget the lessons of September 11th and take the word of a madman, or do I take action to defend our country?” No, says Mr Kerry: the war is a distraction from al-Qaeda and has created the very terrorist havens that the administration claimed to be acting to destroy.

On this question, voters are undecided. The number of those who think Saddam and al-Qaeda were linked has fallen; just over half now say the war has not reduced the chance of a new terrorist assault on America; but roughly equal numbers think the Iraq campaign has strengthened and weakened the war on terror.

Duybya wasted money, time and other resources on Iraq and abandoned the pursuit of Osama bin Laden. In the process, he turned created a breeding ground for terrorists. Every Iraq killed has a family ready to kill — and die — in revenge. Bush’s actions were unbelievably, unforgivably irresponsible. mjh