Scott McClellan: “The world is better off and America is more secure because Saddam Hussein was removed from power.”

Yes. No, I was sincere at the time. Now, looking back and reflecting on that, I have a different perspective on it.

If the president is committed to embracing a high level of openness and honesty, then we can move Washington beyond this partisan warfare that has been so destructive.

Unfortunately, I think too many people today do look at Washington and say, 'All they're giving us is spin and manipulation, and they're not working together to get things done.'

But the federal government should have taken more responsibility, because, to the American people, I think, the federal government is the failsafe backstop to all that.