Katie Couric Minimizes Hussein's Role in Iraq

December 16, 2003

Last April, Katie Couric (Today Show host) said she hoped Saddam Hussein was able to escape "hopefully to Syria". She said this as the U.S. military war machine rolled over Iraq. She was criticized for this and responded by having a spokesperson say she misspoke. However, she refused to clarify her remark, so, her April comment must stand as a statement of support and concern for Saddam Hussein.

Ms. Couric recently said Hussein's recent capture was not that significant because he was not in a position to "call the shots" in killing U.S. troops and because of this, his capture was mainly symbolic. She also said his capture would motivate insurgents to attack our troops.

With those statements, Ms Couric is minimizing Hussein's role in Iraq and again showing an sympathy for him. She is also simplistically analyzing the real meaning of Hussein's capture and its impact on Iraq's future.

The dictator's capture means his will no longer take part in any planning to kill or destroy. His interrogation will help us answer questions about his allies,  weapons, and plans. Papers and other items taken from his hut will provide information so our troops can find more of the enemy and its resources. This will be a good thing.

Certainly Saddam is a figurehead, a symbol helping his allies unite and kill now and in the future. In the short term, violence against our troops will probably increase, especially in areas historically supportive of Hussein. 

Ms. Couric is right,  his capture will incite some insurgency members, but anything or anyone who helps Iraqi self-rule would incite them. For many, Hussein's capture (or death) is just another reason to plant a bomb or throw a grenade. Further, non-Iraqi terrorists and their supporters like Syria and Iran are not motivated by what happens to Hussein, it is America's presence in Iraq that angers them.

Eventually, Hussein's capture will ease the violence overall as many of his allies realize he is not worth fighting for. Hopefully they will help rebuild their country and not destroy it. That will be a positive milestone Ms. Couric probably won't announce to her audience.