How Americans recall the last time that John Howard stepped into the U.S. political picture to deliver a policy pronouncement.

Howard let it be known that he was George W. Bush's ally.  He attacked Senator Barack Obama vigorously for suggesting that the Iraq War should end and troops should be brought home.

Howard's defense of Bush and assault on Obama's position was met with a sharp retort by the Illinois senator.  

Progressives in America and elsewhere denounced Howard's ignorance in promoting the continuation of a war that those who understand the Middle East contend can only end in the same type of failure that typified the Vietnam conflict.