Actually Bush 1 failed in not ousting Saddam when he had the chance. I understand in order to build his coalition he had to agree to stop short of that. That also meant we had to break promises and agreements made with those in Iraq that would have fought to overthrow Saddam after the Gulf War. Clinton failed to act when he was offered Bin Laden (if I recall correctly we were attacked most often on his watch by Bin Laden) and he let Saddam attack us daily. Carter's part was in his dealing with Iran specifically and Muslism extremists in general. I think he meant well but he was misguided. IMO

Of course, I also think of the Iraq issue as just a part of the War on Terror. Saddam was a terrorist, of that, there is no doubt.

We could also look at it as its own issue. I think those of us that see a wrong and have the power to change it also have a responsibility to take action. Such as we did in Bosnia and Kosovo (where I myself served). Taking a cue from the Dem's and thinking of us as a global community and relating it closer to home. If I know my neighbor is molesting his kids the I have a responsibility to help. I start with peaceful ways and try to get other people involved but in the end if no one else is willing to help I still must do whatever I can. We did this in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, and other places. Part of the problem in Iraq is the UN food for oil scandal and our supposed allies unwillingness to back up their own resolutions. Remember it wasn't our job to prove Saddam had WMD but the burden of proof was on him to show that he didn't. The blame is his and his alone. IMO