The 1990sThe 1990s

Lee Atwater (strategist for Lee Atwater (strategist for Reagan + Bush I; mentor to Karl Reagan + Bush I; mentor to Karl

Rove)Rove)► ““Atwater: You start out in 1954 by saying, 'Nigger, Atwater: You start out in 1954 by saying, 'Nigger,

nigger, nigger.' By 1968 you can't say 'nigger' - that nigger, nigger.' By 1968 you can't say 'nigger' - that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting busing, states' rights and all that stuff. You're getting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting so abstract now [that] you're talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you're talking about are taxes, and all these things you're talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites. And [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites. And subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not subconsciously maybe that is part of it. I'm not saying that. But I'm saying that if it is getting that saying that. But I'm saying that if it is getting that abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away abstract, and that coded, that we are doing away with the racial problem one way or the other. You with the racial problem one way or the other. You follow me - because obviously sitting around saying, follow me - because obviously sitting around saying, 'We want to cut this,' is much more abstract than 'We want to cut this,' is much more abstract than even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more even the busing thing, and a hell of a lot more abstract than 'Nigger, nigger.' “abstract than 'Nigger, nigger.' “

I. George H.W. BushI. George H.W. Bush► 1988 election1988 election

Negative ads: Willie Horton (1Negative ads: Willie Horton (1stst raised by Gore in primary); raised by Gore in primary); flag burningflag burning

““Read my lips: No new taxes”Read my lips: No new taxes” Michael Dukakis, Jesse Michael Dukakis, Jesse

Jackson’s Rainbow CoalitionJackson’s Rainbow Coalition► Domestic: 1989: S&L bailout Domestic: 1989: S&L bailout

(Keating Five, John McCain); (Keating Five, John McCain); 1990: raised taxes, Clean 1990: raised taxes, Clean Air Act, Americans with Air Act, Americans with Disabilities Act; 1991: Disabilities Act; 1991: Clarence Thomas Hearings Clarence Thomas Hearings (Anita Hill)- coke cans and (Anita Hill)- coke cans and sexual harassment vs. “a sexual harassment vs. “a high tech lynching”; 1992: high tech lynching”; 1992: Rodney King and Riots in LARodney King and Riots in LA

Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

►1989: Tiananmen Square massacre, 1989: Tiananmen Square massacre, Berlin Wall falls, U.S. invasion of Berlin Wall falls, U.S. invasion of Panama (Manuel Noriega: coke for Panama (Manuel Noriega: coke for contras; “wimp”)contras; “wimp”)

►1990: F.W. de Klerk and end of 1990: F.W. de Klerk and end of apartheid; Mandela elected 1994apartheid; Mandela elected 1994

►1992: US troops to Somalia1992: US troops to Somalia

►Thanks for the Memories

II. Iran-Iraq WarII. Iran-Iraq War

► Saddam tilts Iraq Saddam tilts Iraq toward US: $3 toward US: $3 billion in billion in aid/loans/creditaid/loans/credit

► 1980-1988: 1980-1988: Iran-Iran-Iraq WarIraq War

► Both sides used young Both sides used young children as children as minesweepersminesweepers Plastic keys to heavenPlastic keys to heaven

► Both sides used Both sides used terroristic tacticsterroristic tactics Chemical weaponsChemical weapons

► US secretly supplied US secretly supplied aid to both sides: keep aid to both sides: keep both sides from both sides from becoming too powerfulbecoming too powerful

Estimated costsEstimated costs

►500,000 to 1 million dead500,000 to 1 million dead►1-2 million wounded1-2 million wounded►More than 80,000 prisonersMore than 80,000 prisoners►2.5 million refugees 2.5 million refugees ►Whole cities were destroyed Whole cities were destroyed ►The financial cost estimated at The financial cost estimated at

minimum of $200 billion. minimum of $200 billion.

► US provided NSA US provided NSA information to Iraqinformation to Iraq

► Turned blind eye to Turned blind eye to chemical weaponschemical weapons

► 1986: Saddam learns of 1986: Saddam learns of Iran-ContraIran-Contra feels feels betrayedbetrayed US US apologizes and provides apologizes and provides more $more $

► 1989: Bush intervenes in 1989: Bush intervenes in UN to stop sanctions UN to stop sanctions because of Kurd because of Kurd repressionrepression

KuwaitKuwait

► Because of 30 years of Because of 30 years of support, believed that support, believed that US wouldn’t intervene if US wouldn’t intervene if seized Kuwaitseized Kuwait Believed should be Believed should be

part of Iraq part of Iraq (Mesopotamia)(Mesopotamia)

Border disputesBorder disputes Kuwaitis taking “Iraqi” Kuwaitis taking “Iraqi”

oiloil Kuwait driving down Kuwait driving down

oil prices needed for oil prices needed for Iraqi economic growthIraqi economic growth

► Saddam masses Saddam masses troops (100,000) on troops (100,000) on borderborder tests tests Americans watersAmericans waters summons summons Ambassador Ambassador GlaspieGlaspie “lost “lost opportunity”opportunity”

► Transcript of Meeting Between Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein Transcript of Meeting Between Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, April Glaspie. - July 25, 1990 and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, April Glaspie. - July 25, 1990 (Eight days before the August 2, 1990 Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait) (Eight days before the August 2, 1990 Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait)

► July 25, 1990 - Presidential Palace – BaghdadJuly 25, 1990 - Presidential Palace – Baghdad

►U.S. Ambassador Glaspie - …I have U.S. Ambassador Glaspie - …I have received an instruction to ask you, in received an instruction to ask you, in the spirit of friendship - not the spirit of friendship - not confrontation - regarding your confrontation - regarding your intentions: Why are your troops massed intentions: Why are your troops massed so very close to Kuwait's borders? so very close to Kuwait's borders?

► Saddam Hussein - …When we (the Iraqis) Saddam Hussein - …When we (the Iraqis) meet (with the Kuwaitis) and we see there is meet (with the Kuwaitis) and we see there is hope, then nothing will happen. But if we are hope, then nothing will happen. But if we are unable to find a solution, then it will be unable to find a solution, then it will be natural that Iraq will not accept deathnatural that Iraq will not accept death

► U.S. Ambassador Glaspie - What solutions U.S. Ambassador Glaspie - What solutions would be acceptable? would be acceptable?

► Saddam Hussein - If we could keep the Saddam Hussein - If we could keep the whole of the Shatt al Arab - our strategic whole of the Shatt al Arab - our strategic goal in our war with Iran - we will make goal in our war with Iran - we will make concessions (to the Kuwaitis). But, if we are concessions (to the Kuwaitis). But, if we are forced to choose between keeping half of forced to choose between keeping half of the Shatt and the whole of Iraq (i.e., in the Shatt and the whole of Iraq (i.e., in Saddam’s view, including Kuwait ) then we Saddam’s view, including Kuwait ) then we will give up all of the Shatt to defend our will give up all of the Shatt to defend our claims on Kuwait to keep the whole of Iraq claims on Kuwait to keep the whole of Iraq in the shape we wish it to be. (pause) What in the shape we wish it to be. (pause) What is the United States' opinion on this? is the United States' opinion on this?

►U.S. Ambassador Glaspie - We have no U.S. Ambassador Glaspie - We have no opinion on your Arab - Arab conflicts, opinion on your Arab - Arab conflicts, such as your dispute with Kuwait. such as your dispute with Kuwait. Secretary (of State James) Baker has Secretary (of State James) Baker has directed me to emphasize the directed me to emphasize the instruction, first given to Iraq in the instruction, first given to Iraq in the 1960's, that the Kuwait issue is not 1960's, that the Kuwait issue is not associated with America. associated with America.

►(Saddam smiles)(Saddam smiles)

►August 1990: Saddam August 1990: Saddam seizes entire countryseizes entire country Impress other countries Impress other countries

(nationalism)(nationalism) Drive up price of oilDrive up price of oil

IV. Desert StormIV. Desert Storm

► Bush reacts:Bush reacts:1)1) Defend Kuwati democracy (of 2 million, Defend Kuwati democracy (of 2 million,

60,000 could vote: no women, only 60,000 could vote: no women, only “citizens”)“citizens”)

2)2) Defend alliesDefend allies3)3) Atrocities: babies taken out of incubators, Atrocities: babies taken out of incubators,

etc. (faked?)etc. (faked?)4)4) IsraelIsrael5)5) International LawInternational Law6)6) Oil (national interest)Oil (national interest)

Parallel? Korea: boundaries broken, has to be stoppedParallel? Korea: boundaries broken, has to be stopped

►Bush sends troops to Saudi ArabiaBush sends troops to Saudi Arabia►Asks Congress to authorize force (Asks Congress to authorize force (notnot

war)war)►UN Coalition: 28 countriesUN Coalition: 28 countries

Including Arab statesIncluding Arab states

► January 16, 1991: January 16, 1991: Operation Desert Operation Desert StormStorm

►Fighting lasts 43 days: 40 days of Fighting lasts 43 days: 40 days of bombing, 3 days of ground warbombing, 3 days of ground war

WWII: 47,777 tons/month WWII: 47,777 tons/month (45 months)(45 months)

Vietnam: 44,014/month Vietnam: 44,014/month (140 months)(140 months)

Gulf: 40,416/month (1.5 Gulf: 40,416/month (1.5 months)months)

Most bombs were NOT smart Most bombs were NOT smart bombs (only 20%; 75+% in bombs (only 20%; 75+% in Gulf 2) Gulf 2) high civilian high civilian casualtiescasualties

184 Americans killed (many 184 Americans killed (many from friendly fire and from friendly fire and accidents)accidents)

100,000+ Iraqis (many 100,000+ Iraqis (many civilians)civilians) Decimates Iraqi infrastructure Decimates Iraqi infrastructure

+ economy+ economy bombed into pre- bombed into pre-industrial age + sanctionsindustrial age + sanctions profound + lasting instability, profound + lasting instability, Iraqi Diaspora, destruction Iraqi Diaspora, destruction middle class + intellectuals, middle class + intellectuals, sell-out of Shi’ite rebelssell-out of Shi’ite rebels no no chance “cake walk” transition chance “cake walk” transition to democracyto democracy

►Unlike Vietnam, Unlike Vietnam, media coverage was media coverage was not up-close-and-not up-close-and-personal: Pentagon personal: Pentagon blocked (censored) blocked (censored) imagesimages no death no death and horror (video and horror (video game war)game war) Iraq II: Iraq II:

“Embedded” “Embedded” journalistsjournalists Pfc. Pfc. Jessica Lynch; Pat Jessica Lynch; Pat TillmanTillman

►Short war, large Short war, large support: Bush support: Bush approval rating approval rating 91% approval at 91% approval at end of warend of war Bush II: high Bush II: high

90s for months 90s for months after 9/11 (low after 9/11 (low 50s by mid-50s by mid-2004; mid/low 2004; mid/low 30s at end)30s at end)

Triumph without Victory: 9/11 Triumph without Victory: 9/11 and Gulf IIand Gulf II

Why did Bush lose in 1992?Why did Bush lose in 1992?►Bush decided overthrowing Hussein might Bush decided overthrowing Hussein might

destabilize area: “devil you know…” destabilize area: “devil you know…” And lead to anti-American terrorismAnd lead to anti-American terrorism Dick Cheney, Sec’y DefenseDick Cheney, Sec’y Defense

►Caution contradicted rhetoric: “worst threat since Caution contradicted rhetoric: “worst threat since Hitler”Hitler”

►Bush ignored the economy: Bush ignored the economy: Clinton: “It’s the economy, stupid!”Clinton: “It’s the economy, stupid!” Bush: “Message, I care.”Bush: “Message, I care.”

► Crusaders in the Crusaders in the holy landholy land

► Focus on Focus on overthrowing overthrowing corrupt Saud corrupt Saud familyfamily US backs US backs SaudisSaudis US must US must go (USS Cole, go (USS Cole, African embassy African embassy bombings, etc.)bombings, etc.)

III. ClintonIII. Clinton► 1992 election: Bush v. Clinton v. Ross “giant sucking sound” 1992 election: Bush v. Clinton v. Ross “giant sucking sound”

Perot (NAFTA: yes and no)Perot (NAFTA: yes and no)► HillarycareHillarycare► Don’t ask, don’t tellDon’t ask, don’t tell► 1993: 11993: 1stst WTC attacks (car bomb in basement) WTC attacks (car bomb in basement)

Arrest and conviction of conspiratorsArrest and conviction of conspirators► 1994: Gingrich Revolution, Contract With America; Rwanda; 1994: Gingrich Revolution, Contract With America; Rwanda;

Haiti; Serbia-Bosnia WarHaiti; Serbia-Bosnia War► 1995: Oklahoma City (McVeigh), 168 killed; Dayton Accords for 1995: Oklahoma City (McVeigh), 168 killed; Dayton Accords for

Bosnia; Federal government shutdown (Pres refuses cut Bosnia; Federal government shutdown (Pres refuses cut spending, vetoes spending plan, Republicans in Congress spending, vetoes spending plan, Republicans in Congress threaten to not raise debt limitthreaten to not raise debt limit “non-essential” functions “non-essential” functions cease; Newt’s “temper tantrum”cease; Newt’s “temper tantrum”

► 1996: Welfare Reform Act (Personal Responsibility and Work 1996: Welfare Reform Act (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act)Opportunity Reconciliation Act) “welfare to work” “welfare to work”

► 1998: Kenyan and Tanzanian embassies bombed 1998: Kenyan and Tanzanian embassies bombed (simultaneous attack by Al Qaeda)(simultaneous attack by Al Qaeda) attack on Sudanese attack on Sudanese pharmaceutical plantpharmaceutical plant

► 2000: USS Cole2000: USS Cole

ImpeachmentImpeachment► Arkansas Project: Scaife and the Arkansas Project: Scaife and the

elves: Troopergate, Vince Foster; elves: Troopergate, Vince Foster; “vast right wing conspiracy”; “vast right wing conspiracy”; David BrockDavid Brock

► Whitewater (land Whitewater (land deal/investment)deal/investment)

► Ken Starr (Special Prosecutor)Ken Starr (Special Prosecutor)► Gennifer Flowers, et.al.Gennifer Flowers, et.al.► Paula Jones lawsuitPaula Jones lawsuit► Linda Tripp, Monica LewinskyLinda Tripp, Monica Lewinsky► Clinton acquitted, hurt Clinton acquitted, hurt

Republicans in 1998 (also hurt Republicans in 1998 (also hurt Gore in 2000)Gore in 2000) Newt was having an affair (with his Newt was having an affair (with his

current wife) during the current wife) during the impeachment processimpeachment process

2000 Election2000 Election

►Grand Theft America