VERBATIM

"We are safer, the region is safer, the world is safer without him." IYAD ALLAWI, Prime Minister of Iraq, speaking at the White House about the war that drove Saddam Hussein from power

"We have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left America less secure." JOHN KERRY, Democratic presidential candidate, at a campaign stop in New York City

"I want to say personally and directly I'm sorry ... This was an error made in good faith." DAN RATHER, CBS news anchor, during an on-air apology in which he said the network could no longer vouch for the authenticity of documents that supported a 60 Minutes report on President Bush's service in the National Guard

"I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry. And I'm going to be blunt and plain: if one ever looks at me like that, I'm going to kill him and tell God he died." JIMMY SWAGGART, televangelist preacher, discussing gay marriage on his TV show. He later apologized, saying the remarks were made in jest

"Heinz ketchup is America's favorite ketchup and is enjoyed by Republicans, Democrats and independents alike." DEBORA FOSTER, vice president of communications for Heinz, in a statement written after a Republican politician suggested that using Heinz ketchup indicated support for Kerry, whose wife is heir to part of the Heinz fortune

"I realize now that it is no more dangerous to be here than it is to be in New York." MADONNA, performer, speaking about Israel at a gathering of Kabbalists, followers of the Jewish mysticism she practices, during her trip there for the Jewish New Year

"Rude, vile pigs! Do you know what that means? Rude, vile pigs! That's what all of you are!" ELTON JOHN, rock star, upon being greeted by pushy photographers and TV crews when he arrived in Taipei

Sources: CNN; AP; New York Times; AP (4)