I authored an amendment that was included in the final act, that would require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the readiness of our ground forces within the Army and Marine Corps no later than…

many of us believe that beginning a phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq will force the Iraqis to make the tough political compromises to make progress.

Admiral Fallon, the Washington Post published an article on January 30, 2007 about Iran's ascendance titled 'With Iran Ascendant, U.S. is Seen at Fault: Arab Allies in Region Feeling Pressure.'

Can you similarly assure us that every soldier being deployed as part of this escalation will receive all the necessary training for this dangerous assignment?

I do not foresee a long-term role for our combat brigades in the midst of this sectarian civil war.

I think it's important that whatever your advice is, it be given directly to the President on a regular basis.

I just urge, General, that you pay immediate attention to this.

I wish you well in a position that many of us believe is an impossible one.

It is certainly my opinion that the Vice President's office has played a major role, continues to play a major role, and runs a parallel operation.

I think you could make a very strong case that the Iraqis are not ready to put violence aside as a tool for the various agendas they're pursuing--sectarian, political, personal, and commercial.

I believe that withdrawal will be extraordinarily dangerous for our troops.

I wish you well, because certainly that's turned out to be a difficult situation for many.

If confirmed, I'm very committed to properly planning to the best of my ability, every possible operation that we might be involved in.

I think that the lessons learned from the last years may be very difficult ones for any of us to learn and apply, but we have to be committed to doing so.

I appreciate greatly your committed service to our Nation, and I also want to thank your families.

It is clear that, as you pointed out in your answers to advance questions provided to this committee, that many of us have serious concerns about the quality of planning, the interaction between the military and civilian leadership with…

The concerns that we all share are the consequences for our troops and for the Iraqi people, that will flow from a decision to redeploy.

This is not -- they've done by the book. In other words, the president's, in her eyes and in many Americans' eyes, failed political strategy in Iraq. It's not going to work.