Even so, Republicans continue to find him congenial, especially those who opposed the war on much the same conservative grounds that he did.

NEWYORKER: The Conciliator

"We're going to continue searching until we either discover he left the mountain or we find him, " he added.

CNN: February 9, 2013 -- Updated 0253 GMT (1053 HKT)

If people allowed him to continue the conversation, he said, okay what is it about me that you find so objectionable?

NPR: 'Mecca and Main Street': U.S. Muslims After Sept. 11