Why did conservatives constantly undermine Bill Clinton's efforts to stop al quaida?

Question

In Congress, Clinton was thwarted by the reactionary conservative majority in virtually every attempt he made to pass legislation that would attack al Qaeda and terrorism. His 1996 omnibus terror bill, which included many of the anti-terror measures we now take for granted after September 11, was withered almost to the point of uselessness by attacks from the right; Jesse Helms and Trent Lott were openly dismissive of the threats Clinton spoke of

http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=145
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/clinton.htm

Answer 1

They were more interested in catching Bill in the act, versus OBL.

Answer 2

Clinton developed the nation's first Anti-Terrorism policy, which the Republican party sabotaged. While he was in office Clinton made proposals for increased powers to fight terrorism and he called for the passage of the Anti-Terrorism bill. He argued that unless federal law-enforcement agencies were given the tools needed to combat terrorism, the lives of Americans would be put into increasing danger. At the same time, he called for increased security measures at U.S. airports to foil terrorist attempts to plant bombs on airplanes on both domestic and international flights. He also called for new and tougher measures for fighting terrorism. At that time the House of Representatives took up the president's bill and passed a modified version. (the House of Representatives was dominated by Republicans) Clinton felt that the House of Representative were being soft on terrorism, even after the president claimed terrorism was a central national-security priority.

Republicans undermine any efforts that make them look bad. That is a well known fact.

Answer 3

I would like to see an intelligent answer to this question by someone of the conservative right-wing persuasion. They will all deny your premise and any facts that prove what you state are true. "ROB" who trys to answer right above me states all the terrorist actions but doesn't address the question of why the Republicans didn't pass any of the anti-terrorist measures Clinton proposed. I've noticed he didn't start with the terrorist bombings in Lebanon in 1983 (over 300 killed) under Reagan watch when he ran from there thereby setting up the idea America will run if you kill too many of it's soldiers.

Answer 4

Fist off using a liberal source is not what I would believe. clinton only went after them after they bombed, he was intent on JUSTICE. He should have wanted to STOP them from bombing us, But no why would he want to do that????? He was too busy with interns.

The big problem was that they put walls up between the CIA,FBI, and law enforcement. so they could not exchange Intel. How is that serious about terrorists?????????

Now the new report out says they had NO plans for protecting America.

So that tells me clinton sucked as a President.

Answer 5

As Im sure you know, ... 93 was Bin Ladens first attempt @ the Towers, then of course there was the American Embassy in Africa, the USS Cole, etc, etc.. all under Clinton's watch & He DID nothing. The word "coward comes to mind when speaking of Bill... Bush started the Presidency with alot of trash to take out.

Answer 6

Conservatives wanted al qaeda to win a "New Pearl Harbor" against America. Bush gave them their dream.

Source: PNAC Manifesto

Answer 7

Terror attacks on Bill's watch
93 WTC
96 Khobar Towers 19 Airman dead 300 wounded
98 2 U.S. Embassy Bombings 5,000 wounded
98 Refused to take Bin Laden into custody
99 Refused to take Bin Laden into custody
2000 U.S.S. Cole Bombing
2001 9-11 took 6 YEARS TO PLAN

He didn't do crap!! Now we are facing the consequences.

Answer 8

Partisan politics. The same reasons why Democrats are doing the same thing now.

When will it ever end?

Answer 9

You mean like when they made him tell the FBI that he couldn't arrest OBL when offered up by the Saudis and Sudanese governments?

Or do you mean when they made him tell the CIA they couldn't take him out in Afghanistan SEVERAL times?

Or do you mean when they made him tell the Northern Alliance not to take him out?

Or do you mean when they made him not hit his hideout with a cruise missile?

For the truth in the War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, see my blog: http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-DfkctJU7dK5B7LcNROoyVQ--;_ylt=AvKCmn92W_FCk0ugZGetFgesAOJ3?cq=1
No politics. Just the groundtruth, backed up by independent research, historical study and the personal experiences of myself and others that have BEEN THERE.

Answer 10

For the same reasons Democrats do it to Bush.... POLITICS. Both sides play this game.