Quote Originally Posted by Pannonian
Saddam is political poison, but we are praying for someone like him to take over, since that's the best chance we have of leaving an Iraq that satisfies our national interests. A secular ruler guaranteeing stability and a certain degree of social liberalism in Iraq, who is fanatically opposed to Bin Laden and Iran alike - what's not to like?

Personally, I would have popped him out of prison, given him 10 billion dollars and free use of coalition troops inside Iraq, and told him there's another 50 billion in regular installments over the next 10 years if he does a good job of stabilising the place and behaves himself. Simplest and cheapest solution to the problems we're facing over there.
You know that'd be something America would never be able to do, of course.

It means they've just stormed in, took him out, waste billions (and thousands of lives), then put him back in. No politicians responsible for this would ever survive the storm unleashed upon him at home.