Religious leaders had all the reasons to hate Saddam.
If there were any links, they were only involving a few Al-Qaeda members being in Iraq for a short while. Al Qaeda had far more connections with Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and many western countries where it's possible to circulate and expess religious opinions.

However, it looks like this is going on in the US.

I find it rather strange to read conservative americans justifying US troops being in another country, occupying it forcefully, without having being provoked or threatened, while sitting confortably at home.

Meanwhile, the US troops are stuck in Iraq....for some unclear reason, BTW.

Baghdad is the most dangerous place in the world.

After all, they are your soldiers, it's your money, it's your country's honor....
In short, it's the United States' Problem.

Raoul