Would 9/11 have happened if Clinton took a stronger military response after the incidents during his term?

Question

What if Clinton took strong action against Saddam's refusal to allow UN inspections, or covertly attacked Al-Quida in 1994 after the failed bombing. Don't forget the Saudi barracks bombing, the two US Embassies in Africa that were blown up, and the USS Cole. He also changed the armorment of troops in Somalia, leading to increased US casualties.

What would Bush or Gore walked into if Clinton had "testicular fortitude"?

To respond to Answerman.....The WTC was attacked 18 months into his term, why couldn't his intelligence get up and running to prevent that attack. If the truck was moved 50 feet from where it was, the Towers could/would have come down then. Doesn't seem to bother people that Clinton avoided a major disaster because the terrorists couldn't get a parking spot.

Answer 1

Ever read any of Tom Clancy's books - his insight into government and how it works is so good the govt. has tried to hire him. 9/11 happened for many reasons - we back Israel, we are the sole super power, many people are raised knowing us only as the Great Satan. When they asked terrorist prisoners why, none of them knew. We were always a target. The timing, however, in my own individual opinion (and what i've learned from clancy's books as well) - is that we had half the government blatantly saying they were not going to back Bush/ saying on national tv half the country hated him. Well in the terrorist countries, this means civil war or a coup is coming and we looked weak, divided. We were but only in opinions. I think they struck then because they thought they would cause a civil war (the kind that happens daily in some of their countries). We were sending them a message we were weak and divided. Ultimately though there's only one reason a terrorist terrorizes - is because he/she wants to. Truly that's the only motive any criminal really needs.

Answer 2

Good question.

1-What actions, if any, did Clinton take when he "fought" Al Qaeda (for Goombah above)? I've yet to hear of any...other than bombing that place in Somalia, and an abandoned camp in Afghanistan. I'll bet that showed 'em a lesson...

2-There were SEVERAL warnings signs of an impending attack. Most of which were listed in the question. What more should Al Qaeda have done to get Clinton's attention? Remember, Clinton looked into the cameras and said, "We will bring those responsible to justice." Yea, just as soon as Monica was done...

3-Does anyone think that the Somalia fiasco gave Al Qaeda a "big head" when Clinton turned tail and ran after the Ranger incident there? Would it have been different if we had sent in armor and MORE troops and cleaned house?

4-What exactly did his National Security advisor (Sandy Berger?) remove from the National Archives just prior to that pointless 9/11 commission?

5-Speaking of which, does anyone find it curious that neither party came out of that commission and blamed it on the other party? Curious isn't it...maybe a deal was struck...

Hmmm...say what you want about Bush (Yes, I think he's an idiot), but what would've happened if Al Bore was elected instead? I'm glad Bush doesn't have a problem sending our military overseas to kill others...better there than here.

And regarding the insipid response above about how "Bush had his intelligence up and running for nine months". Bush inherited the intelligence that Clinton had installed. Plus, Clinton had his "up and running for 8 years", so why didn't the living icon know about all of the OTHER attacks before they happened UNDER HIS WATCH?

And remember...AIRBORNE LEADS THE WAY.

Answer 3

Here we go blaming Clinton, I think he robbed the 7/11 and that caused the arabs to be mad at us and 9/11 was as close as they could get to revenge. He responded to all of these things but no he did not get 2500 of our people killed doing it. He also was not responsible for the 10's of thousands of Iraqi deaths. He did what he thought was right and at the time it was right. Bush had 9 months to have his intelligence up and running and in fact was told that Osama was planning something and did nothing to stop it. His people even knew that there were Arabs training to fly planes and didn't do nothing. He was planning the Iraqi war well before 9/11 so I would like to know what is your point in blaming Clinton for Bush failures.

Answer 4

Clinton did take strong action against Saddam. Clinton fought battles i Iraq. The US air force bombed Iraq for 4 days straight. longer than Bushs air bombing campaign.

Clinton actually did fight with Al Quida. It is well documented. BUT we were too busy wondering who he liked and who he was passing notes to during class to pay attention.

If anyone thinks Bush Jr started this war in Iraq, they are sooo sadly mistaken. The US has been there for decades. fighting and bombing. This is nothing new that Bush Jr created to make money on oil. Hilary will be fighting over there when SHES president in '09. and the next president and the next president.

Answer 5

definite? planning for 9/11 began in 1998. in truth, it has also been printed that invoice Clinton had an probability to get bin weighted down after the bombing on the united statesCole yet chosen no longer to. i wager you'll ask the question, "would 9/11 nevertheless have got here about if Clinton did not get a 2d time period?" Who the heck knows.

Answer 6

Ah, finally a question from a person who is educated and intelligent. I never thought I'd see the day.

Clinton was a wet noodle when it came to defense. Bush was only in office for less than a year when 9/11 happened and was most certainly not responsible. No one ever looks at Clinton for responsibility though, do they? He's so smooth and such a good liar, people actually believe him!

Answer 7

The reason OBL plotted 9/11 was because he assumed, after noticing Clinton's cowardice, we would not respond. If only Bubba had shown some backbone during his term. But he was a political animal out to be all things to all people. This gave him the spine of a jellyfish.

Answer 8

Are you kidding me? How about this question instead, If Superman really existed do you think he could have stopped 9/11? C'mon buddy, get a grip, Clinton was a long time ago. Get over it already. Try sticking to what we can do about the situation now instead of posing make believe questions.

Answer 9

Probably not. But 9/11 would also not have happened if the CIA had arrested bin Laden just a few days prior instead of just visiting him.

Why live in the past? We need to look out for the future.

Answer 10

9-11 might not have happened if the US didn't support the mujaheddin in Afghanistan in the 80s. It might not have happened if a butterfly flapped its wings in the English Gardens in Munich. 9-11 might not have happened if the FBI did its job when it learned that several people on the terrorist watch list were in the country. 9-11 might not have happened if Bush did not spend 50% of his first 8 month in office on vacation.