I think the Al Qaeda issue is a matter of conveince. We implicate Saddam in Al Qeada, then do a switcheroo and say he has chemical weapons. However, the Bush administration consistently mix two distinct issues, as fuse Saddam with Osama.
Having a good enemy i.e. one that you can take a "moral" position against, can do great things for a president--it did wonders for Ronald Reagan's popularity.
The war in Iraq allows a permenant presence for the next 40-50 years right next to the Saudis and within striking distance of Syria, Jordan and Iran. Given a permenant presence, how much anti-US posturing can the Saudis do in the muslim world?
The long term strategy is probably in the best interest of the United States. However, the short term reasons are pure bullshit.
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