We can't afford to talk past one another, to focus only on our differences, or to let the walls of mistrust go up around us.

Simple exchanges can break down walls between us.

We've made significant political progress.

We have made enormous progress working alongside the Iraqi Government over the last few months.

We are going to do everything required to make sure that the commitment we make to our veterans is met.

I will be meeting with them face to face.

But we also think that there are certain basic principles that all nations should uphold and respect for women and respect for their freedom and integrity is an important principle.

Just because I was opposed at the outset, it doesn't mean that I don't have now responsibilities to make sure that we do things in a responsible fashion.

It is a nice picture, but it just reminds us of the fact that this is a reality and a reality for families across the country every day. We're a family just like everyone else. So while it should change some perceptions, perhaps even…

I have been blessed to be surrounded by strong, compassionate women.

I've been blessed to be surrounded by strong compassionate women.

You will be critical in terms of us being able to make sure that Iraq is stable. That it is not a safe haven for terrorists, that it is a good neighbor and a good ally and we can start bringing our folks home.

Every mission that's been assigned from getting rid of Saddam to reducing violence to stabilizing the country, to facilitating elections, you have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an…

I think this law is abhorrent.

What concerns me, Secretary Flournoy, is that we have the Iranians, who we know have provided munitions to our enemy in Iraq...

If we should pick up a high-value target in Afghanistan, what would happen to that high-value target? Where would they go?

I think you're generally on target and want to give you all the support I can to continue to win this fight.

the President announced, and you testified, that this new strategy is designed to defeat al Qaeda in Pakistan and Iraq.