The Bush administration distorted the truth in order to sell the war in Iraq to the American people. The constantly referred to a relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda, and let Americans believe that Sadam was involved in the attacks of 9/11.
From January through September 2003, a group called PIPA/Knowledge Networks conducted seven extensive polls that dealt with the conflict with Iraq. In studying the results of these polls they came to the following conclusion:
"Misperceptions Related to the Iraq War In the run-up to the war with Iraq and in the postwar period, a significant portion of the American public has held a number of misperceptions that have played a key role in generating and maintaining approval for the decision to go to war. Significant portions of the public have believed that Iraq was directly involved in the September 11 attacks and that evidence of links between Iraq and al-Qaeda have been found, that weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq after the war and that Iraq actually used weapons of mass destruction during the war, and that world public opinion has approved of the US going to war with Iraq. While, in most cases only a minority has any particular misper-ception, a large majority has at least one key misperception."
Americans who have closely followed the news since then, have begun to realize that Saddam was not directly involved with al Qaeda and did not give them substantial support. While Iraqi officials met with al Qaeda members briefly in the 90's, nothing ever came of these meetings, and that is the full extent of any relations between Iraq and al Qaeda.
Americans watching the news on Wednesday, June 16th, saw that the White House 9/11 investigative panel stated that there was no connection between Iraq and the attacks of 9/11. This non-partisian panel interviewed 1000 people and examined 2 million documents before reaching their conclusions. Such information could make Americans question the rational for war and damage the Bush administration's bid for election in 2004.
So the Bush Administration engaged Operation Damage Control:
Monday, June 14th: Cheney claimed Saddam had "long established ties with al Qaeda."
Tuesday, June 15th: Bush repeated Cheney's claims, standing by his administration's position that Iraq was in league with al Qaeda.
Wednesday, June 16th: The 9/11 panel stated it has found "no credible evidence that Iraq and al Qaeda cooperated on attacks against the United States."
Thursday, June 17th: Blair announces that Saddam, "created a permissive environment for terrorism and we know that the people affiliated to al Qaeda operated in Iraq during the regime." Bush clears the issue up by saying, "The reason I keep insisting that there was a relationship between Iraq and Saddam and al Qaeda, because there was a relationship between Iraq and al Qaeda."
Friday, June 18th: Cheney says "the evidence is overwhelming" that there was an Iraq link with al Qaeda, and calls the media lazy.
What's the average American to think? Very clever tactic -- deluge the truth in lies, confuse the people. In response, the 9/11 panel has asked Cheney for evidence to back his claims. Cheney has avoided all past requests to provide evidence to back this claim, by invoking national security concerns.
Next, Cheney says he "probably" has information that the 9/11 commission doesn't have. But when challenged to provide this information to the commission, leaves them empty handed. The commission has stated that they know everything Cheney knows, and they stand by their assesment of no Iraq/al Qaeda connection.
Let's take a look at what "evidence" Bush and Cheney have tried to feed the American people: