But I think the point is well taken that there may well have to be some private, secret negotiations, conversations with Iran and with others to arrange anything.

If the Maliki government is not going to do these things, if they decide -- if they don't follow through, and if they're -- you can't get the kind of arrangements, America then has more -- let's put it rationale.

this is a very stinging indictment of the administration, and that it confirms some of the critics', you know, strongest attacks on the administration, namely, that there was a rush to war, without a lot of deliberation in advance.

I think they did have a very personal chemistry that enabled him to stay on.

the inside factional fighting, I think, has assumed almost legendary proportions.

I don't think it really helps the president. I mean, you cannot separate Dick Cheney out from George W. Bush in the public's mind.

I think there are some legitimate criticisms being aimed at George Tenet and this book. But, fundamentally -- I have known this fellow a long time. He's, fundamentally, a very decent guy.

to have this kind of factionalism right in the middle of a war really says the president didn't have a grip on this.

I thought the president was way too confrontational today.

It would be unimaginable for the Democratic Congress, after pledging in this last election campaign and saying after the election campaign that's exactly what they would not do. They would not pull the plug.

No, I do not. That's political suicide for the Democrats.