There is extensive documentation linking Saddam to al Qaeda. If you want links let me know. And the idea that Saddam wouldn't cooperate with jihadists is ridiculous. But don't take my word for it. Take Al Gore's. Here's his lengthy speech excoriating Bush Senior for ignoring Saddam's harboring and aiding jihadists. In it Gore also backs Richard Perle's hawkish approach by name.

http://www.breitbart.tv/html/1602.html

And as for Sunni and Shia extremists hating each other as much as they hate us, who are the Iranian mullahs's biggest allies? The Syrian Bathists. And vice Versa.