Then: "I think things have gotten so bad inside Iraq, from the standpoint of the Iraqi people, my belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators." -- Vice President Cheney, March 16, 2003

Now: "On the ground in Iraq, we have serious and continuing challenges. Illegal militias and remnants of the regime, joined by foreign terrorists, are trying to take by force the power they could never gain by the ballot." -- President Bush, May 1, 2004

* * *

Then: "The Iraqi regime . . . possesses and produces chemical and biological weapons. It is seeking nuclear weapons." -- Bush, Oct. 7, 2002

Now: "Some prewar intelligence assessments by America and other nations about Iraq's weapons stockpiles have not been confirmed. We are determined to figure out why." -- Bush, Feb. 6, 2004

* * *

Then: "The oil revenues of (Iraq) could bring between $50 (billion)and $100 billion over the course of the next two or three years. . . . We're dealing with a country that can really finance its own reconstruction, and relatively soon." -- Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, March 27, 2003

Now: "Iraqi oil production has reached more than 2 million barrels per day, bringing revenues of nearly $6 billion so far this year, which is being used to help the people of Iraq." -- Bush, May 24, 2004

* * *

Then: "Helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment. Yet whatever is required of us, we will carry out all the duties we have accepted." -- Bush, March 22, 2003

Now: "It will be tough work after sovereignty is transferred, because there will still be people there trying to derail the election process." -- Bush, May 19, 2004