Q. Given the situation in Iraq, do you think we’re better off without Saddam Hussein in power?

[brooklynite]

A. “Look, I know that there have been a lot of questions about Iraq posed to candidates over the last weeks. I’ve been very clear that I made a mistake plain and simple. And I have written about it in my book. I’ve talked about it in the past and you know what we now see is a very different and very dangerous situation. The United States is doing what it can, but ultimately this has to be a struggle that the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people are determined to win for themselves. We can provide support, but they’re going to have to do it.”

-- Hillary Clinton, 5/19/2015

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Did that answer the question posed?

Sounds like "We broke it, they own it."

[truebluegreen]

2. Not exactly a straight answer to a simple question, was it?

[Hoyt]

6. About only answer one can give. If one says Saddam should have remained, people -- including Dem

critics -- will say she is for leaving despots in power.

If she says we should have taken him out, everyone goes nuts too. Personally, I believe -- and I bet she does too -- Iraq would be better off with Saddam in power and our never having crossed their border. Rather than 1 Million dead, plus our guys, there would only be about 35,000 tortured to death every year by Saddam's regime. No good answer.

I agree that we owe them some limited help after what we did to Iraq. We owe it to Vietnam too.

[Politicalboi]

3. We were way better off with Saddam

He kept the shit together out there. He wasn't who we were told he was. I don't think he was an angel, but he certainly was less dangerous than Bush.

[clarice]

10. Except for those rape rooms...etc. nt

[hrmjustin]

4. Good answer.

[cwydro]

5. She admitted she made a mistake.

That is something.

[elleng]

7. To answer the question directly, 'NO.'

[bigwillq]

8. My answer: No. You can read about it in my book.

Wait, I don't a book.

But, to answer the question, No. I don't think "we're" better off.

[nruthie]

9. Hell no.

[polly7]

11. I think the better question is, do you think the people of Iraq and surrounding areas in the ME

are better off without Saddam Hussein in power.

Really, what did his leadership have to do with us here in the West at all?

Of course the people - especially women, who were free to work and live peacefully as neighbours among people of all religions, had health care despite the crippling sanctions, and freedom to live their lives without the terror of religious fanatics, believe they're much worse off now.

What 'we' think doesn't really matter at all, except to those of us who believe we owe them possibly more than can ever be repaid - in terms of human lives and suffering - there is nothing we can do for that except take responsibility and punish those who caused it.