Here in the United States, Democratic Senator John Kerry has apologized for a self-described botched joke that said uneducated Americans wind up as US troops stuck in Iraq. Kerry claims he meant to say if students didn’t study they would end up like President Bush and get the nation stuck in Iraq.

Sen. John Kerry: “This was directed at the people who didn’t do their homework, didn’t listen to history, didn’t listen to their own advice, and they owe the American people an apology. Now, I’m coming back to Washington today so that I’m not a distraction, because I don’t want to be a distraction to these campaigns. And the point is simply: They owe America an apology for this disaster in Iraq. And I hope they’re going to provide it.”

Kerry also announced he will stop campaigning for Democratic candidates and return to Washington to avoid being a “distraction” in the elections.