Hackett brought credibility on the No. 1 issue facing the nation – the war in Iraq. The Democratic Party loses credibility on that issue because he is no longer running, and because they had a hand in his decision.

Hackett brought credibility on the No. 1 issue facing the nation - the war in Iraq.

John Howard's credibility on the entire Iraq war has been torpedoed by John Howard's own intelligence agency,

Germany didn't want to got to war (in Iraq). I don't know how to say it any more simply than that.

Thomas Jefferson once said: 'Of course the people don't want war. But the people can be brought to the bidding of their leader. All you have to do is tell them they're being attacked and denounce the pacifists for somehow a lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.' I think that was Jefferson. Oh wait. That was Hermann Goering. Shoot."

[Hosting the Peabody Awards for broadcasting excellence at the New York Waldorf-Astoria, June 6, 2006]

I would strongly encourage Iraq not to come to any conclusions about American credibility, and America's intent to disarm [Iraqi President] Saddam Hussein along with a coalition of the willing, as a result of any of the ongoing diplomacy. That would be a grave mistake for Iraq to make.