"If I knew then..."

People (actually pundits) keep calling for Hillary to go beyond her "If I knew then what I know now" excuse for authorizing military force in Iraq and apologize outright. I don't think she needs to apologize, but I do think she needs to remind the public of the history. Unfortunately, a Senate vote is digital. Floor speeches are analog and here are some excerpts from the October 10, 2002 Floor Speech of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton on S.J. Res. 45, A Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq

If we were to attack Iraq now, alone or with few allies, it would set a precedent that could come back to haunt us. ... So Mr. President, for all its appeal, a unilateral attack, while it cannot be ruled out, on the present facts is not a good option.

Even though the resolution before the Senate is not as strong as I would like in requiring the diplomatic route first and placing highest priority on a simple, clear requirement for unlimited inspections, I will take the President at his word that he will try hard to pass a UN resolution and will seek to avoid war, if at all possible.

Because bipartisan support for this resolution makes success in the United Nations more likely, and therefore, war less likely, and because a good faith effort by the United States, even if it fails, will bring more allies and legitimacy to our cause, I have concluded, after careful and serious
consideration, that a vote for the resolution best serves the security of our nation.

My vote is not, however, a vote for any new doctrine of pre-emption, or for uni-lateralism, or for the arrogance of American power or purpose -- all of which carry grave dangers for our nation, for the rule of international law and for the peace and security of people throughout the world.