But he said the President would have stopped the operation at the outset had it not been for his concern about the hostages.

"I wish the President would stop falling into traps and get his story straight," he said.

The President stopped and considered that point of view, then nodded his agreement.

In effect, a President whose operatives break the law can stop their prosecution without the use of a pardon.

I do wish you Presidents would stop coming here to apologize.

Caldwell opened his mouth as though to say something further, but the President stopped him with a raised hand.

But after each action, or evasion, the Presidents somehow stopped short of explaining how it all had come about.

When the colonel started to call the men to attention, the President stopped him with a gesture.

The President stopped him with a raised hand and a quiet voice.

The President stopped me exercising my right of free speech.