The failed presidential candidate questioned the historic referendum's legitimacy, saying, "It's hard to say that something is legitimate when a whole portion of the country can't vote and doesn't vote."

Kerry also pooh-poohed reports of a surprisingly high 72 percent turnout by Iraqi voters, insisting instead that the election has "gone as expected."

Asked if he thought Iraq was now less of a terrorist threat, Kerry at first said: "No, it's more. And, in fact, I believe the world is less safe today than it was two and a half years ago."

But he changed his answer moments later, after "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert pressed him on the bizarre claim.

"I'm glad Saddam Hussein is gone, and I've said that a hundred times," he insisted.

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