Bloodless Coup

Did the Bush Administration Mislead the Country in the Run-Up to the Iraq War?

Yes.

And, as Drum notes, this isn't even a comprehensive list of matters tied to the war.

I think that the point he makes in his last lengthy paragraph is particularly important in that it has received relatively little attention, but played a key role in setting up a situation in which the president could take us into a war built on lies. The White House abused the classification process in a way that made debate about the merits of the war illegal. That is a terrible thing to say about a democracy. I think it's entirely appropriate that the American people consider him to be the least trustworthy president we've had in 30 years - but it's a terrible thing for the country in that it greatly imperils our ability to be a force for good, and to promote American interests.

One other thing I would note about Drum's list is that it is probably too tightly centered on events directingly tied to Iraq since other lies and evasions by the White House had an effect on our choice to go to war. For example, the administration covered up the extent of the North Korean nuclear threat until after it had won support for the Iraqi war from Congress.

And how does the Republican leadership deal these issues today, now that they are burdened by the fact that their lies and evasions have drawn the country into an unpopular war? By spewing even more lies.