The upper hand is with those who are pushing regime change rather than those who are advocating more diplomacy.

[Bush can claim one triumph: We have suffered no further attack on U.S. soil since 9/11 (not counting the unsolved anthrax attacks later that fall). Casualties are far fewer, too, than in any other major war in U.S. history since the Revolution.] I do think there's been progress in some areas, ... In the last four years, for example, I think the world has become a tougher place for terrorists to operate in.

Iraq was at core a war of choice, and extraordinarily expensive by every measure - human life, impact on our military, dollars, diplomatically.

But the tone will change, and in diplomacy, the tone is often the reality.

Diplomacy is like jazz: endless variations on a theme.

I never refuse. I contradict. I sometimes forget.