Meaning: The quote in question is a statement made by Dick Cheney, who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. The quote refers to Senator John Kerry, who was the Democratic nominee for the 2004 presidential election and was running against the incumbent President Bush at the time.

In this quote, Dick Cheney is suggesting that if Senator Kerry had been the one to make the decision, Saddam Hussein would still be in power in Iraq, and possibly in control of Kuwait as well. This statement is a reflection of the political tensions and debates surrounding the Iraq War and the decision to invade Iraq in 2003.

The quote is significant because it encapsulates the deep divide in American politics over the decision to go to war in Iraq. The Bush administration, with Cheney as vice president, was a strong advocate for the invasion of Iraq, citing the need to remove Saddam Hussein from power and eliminate the perceived threat of weapons of mass destruction. On the other hand, Senator Kerry, along with many other Democrats and some Republicans, was critical of the decision to go to war and questioned the evidence of WMDs in Iraq.

Cheney's statement reflects the partisan nature of the debate, as well as the high stakes involved in the decision to go to war. By suggesting that Saddam Hussein would still be in power if Senator Kerry had been in charge, Cheney is framing the decision as a matter of national security and implying that the alternative would have been worse. This type of rhetoric was commonly used by proponents of the war to justify their actions and discredit their opponents.

It is important to note that the quote is a highly contentious and partisan statement, reflecting the intense political climate at the time. The Iraq War remains a deeply divisive and controversial chapter in American history, with ongoing debates about the justifications for the war, its consequences, and the role of the United States in the Middle East.

In the years since the invasion of Iraq, there has been extensive analysis and debate about the decision-making process that led to the war, as well as the intelligence and information that was used to justify it. The quote from Dick Cheney is an example of the ongoing efforts by both sides of the political spectrum to shape the narrative and legacy of the Iraq War.

In conclusion, Dick Cheney's quote about Senator Kerry and Saddam Hussein reflects the intense political divisions and debates surrounding the Iraq War and the decision to invade Iraq in 2003. The quote is a reminder of the partisan nature of the debate and the high stakes involved in the decision to go to war. It also serves as a reflection of the ongoing efforts to shape the narrative and legacy of the Iraq War in American politics and society.