Amid mounting Democratic criticism of the invasion and occupation of Iraq, President Bush and Vice President Cheney have made their strongest responses yet to accusations they misled the country into war. At a press conference in South Korea, Bush said: “I expect there to be criticism, but when Democrats say that I deliberately misled the Congress and the people, that’s irresponsible.” Meanwhile, Cheney told a Washington gathering of the Frontiers of Freedom Institute: “The suggestion that’s been made by some US senators that the president of the United States or any member of this administration purposely misled the American people on pre-war intelligence is one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city. What we’re hearing now is some politicians contradicting their own statements and making a play for political advantage in the middle of a war.” In response, last year’s Democratic presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry said it was difficult to name a government official “with less credibility on Iraq than Vice President Cheney.” Weekly Standard editor and Bush administration insider William Kristol commented: “If the American people really come to a settled belief that Bush lied us into war, his presidency will be over.”