SENATOR TOM HARKIN ON THE SENATE CONFIRMATION OF CONDOLEEZZA RICE TO SECRETARY OF STATE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2005

“After much consideration of Dr. Condoleezza Rice’s nomination to be Secretary of State, I am unable to support her nomination.

I am very concerned about Dr. Rice’s role as the marketer of the inflated evidence leading up to what was called a pre-emptive war in Iraq. The Administration gave the impression to the American people that Iraq posed an imminent threat to the US and the world, often based on worst case scenarios and poor intelligence, which later proved to be untrue.

I have experienced first hand in my travels the loss of U.S. credibility worldwide which alienated many of our democratic friends and allies. Dr. Rice’s elevation to Secretary of State will send the wrong signal regarding our future diplomacy efforts and American interests.”

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