I’ve been pretty harsh on CNN in the past, but I gotta give their anchors credit for this smackdown :

KAGAN: One Republican congressman insists the president was right to tie the war in Iraq to 9/11 in last night’s address. He talked with our Carol Costello earlier this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. ROBIN HAYES (R), NORTH CAROLINA: It’s very clear the terrorists are connected to what Saddam Hussein was all about. And that again faces us as the most severe threat going forward.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: But there is no evidence that Saddam Hussein was connected in any way to al Qaeda.

HAYES: Ma’am, I’m sorry, but you’re mistaken. There’s evidence everywhere. We get access to it. Unfortunately, others don’t.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: And according to the record, the 9/11 Commission in its final report found no connection between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.

More of this, please.