How much does it matter whether they catch Saddam?

[Number Six]

Getting Saddam is symbolic but the question is, how much does that symbolism count? Of course it'd be nice to get him, but isn't it more important in the long run that Iraq be "rebuilt" in a good way? Or are individual symbols so important to some that regardless of what happens in Iraq some will always say "They never got Saddam."

Perhaps I'm being wishful but I think it's more important to rebuild well. If that happens then I think the next time whatever defenders the dictator has will be less likely to fight for him since it'll seem more likely that the main priority of the guy they're fighting for is to save his own butt.

President Bush gave Saddam Hussein 48 hours notice to leave Iraq before the war started. So it appears he was more interested in a regime change than capturing or killing Hussein. The problem with capturing Hussein alive is, what do you do with him?

Killing him would have been convenient, and I guess we tried a couple of times during the war. No one knows yet whether we succeeded.

Hussein may pop up in a host country and remain in exile status for the rest of his days.

Either way, it doesn't matter. The regime is gone.

It sucks in a "justice denied" kind of way if Hussein lives in opulent exile the rest of his days, though.

(edited for typos)

[Samus]

There is much political gain to be had in capturing or killing Saddam. They would obviously prefer to kill him, to avoid some kind of long, drawn-out trial for war crimes.

If we eliminate him, there's still a chance we can also seize his non-trivial personal fortune, which is (at least) in the millions. We can give it to the developing "new Iraq."

Of course, eliminating him also keeps him from continuing to plot against us (Usama bin Laden anyone?)

The 48 hour notice was more of a show than anything else, no one actually thought he would exile himself. We showed very early on that we want him dead.

I think it would be a huge blow to Bush II's chances of re-election next year if we let Saddam get away. "War since 2001 and still no end in sight to the war on terror."

[HarryKeogh]

whether he's dead or spending the rest of his life hiding makes little difference to me (ok, i'd prefer him dead). He's humiliated and defeated. If he shows his face publicly in iraq theyll drag him through the streets.

Originally posted by HarryKeogh
whether he's dead or spending the rest of his life hiding makes little difference to me (ok, i'd prefer him dead). He's humiliated and defeated. If he shows his face publicly in iraq theyll drag him through the streets.

I hope not. If Iraq is to have a hopeful future, they need to try Hussein in a court of law, along with all of his cohorts.

Then hang him! :D