VERBATIM

"The first time I ever met you was when you walked onto the stage tonight."

VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY, to Senator John Edwards, during their vice-presidential debate, after criticizing his opponent's "not very distinguished" record in the Senate

"By the way, y'all sat next to each other at the prayer breakfast."

ELIZABETH EDWARDS, the candidate's wife, reporting what she said to Cheney when they met onstage after the debate; the men had actually met three times before

"The police force is not well equipped and is not respected enough to lay down its authority."

IYAD ALLAWI, Iraqi Prime Minister, in a speech to the country's interim National Assembly

"He didn't understand international relations perfectly."

TARIQ AZIZ, former Iraqi Foreign Minister, on Saddam's miscalculation that the Bush Administration would never risk a ground war to depose him

"It don't mean s___ right now. Daddy's won here 10 times."

DALE EARNHARDT JR., NASCAR driver, in a live interview on NBC after winning his fifth race at the Talladega (Ala.) Speedway. He was fined $10,000 by NASCAR, and NBC later announced a 5-sec. delay on sports coverage

"I would have made the rhythm of California Girls a little better. That is my only regret."

BRIAN WILSON, leader of the Beach Boys, when asked what he would change about his life

"Everybody's always like, 'Did she party?' And I'm like, 'She was awesome. She was really sweet. I loved her.'"

HILARY DUFF, teen actress and Houston native, on having had First Daughter Jenna Bush as a camp counselor

"I know everybody wants the Yankees. We just want the ring."

KEVIN MILLAR, Boston Red Sox first baseman, on whom he preferred to meet in the play-offs on the road to the World Series

Sources: New York Times (3); Washington Post; NBC; AP; Entertainment Weekly; New York Times