“In a December 1999 debate among GOP presidential contenders, [candidate George W.] Bush backtracked when he said he’d ‘take ’em out’ if Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. Asked by the moderator whether he had said ‘take him out,’ Bush replied, ‘Take out the weapons of mass destruction.’ ” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Glenn Kessler, “U.S. Decision On Iraq Has Puzzling Past: Opponents of War Wonder When, How Policy Was Set,” The Washington Post, Jan. 12, 2003