I commend her to you with enthusiasm.

I feel extraordinarily confident that Mary Schapiro will meet those challenges based on her experience, based on her intelligence, based on her integrity.

He is superbly prepared for this job, and someone that I admire immensely.

I don't think anyone knows more about the intricacies of the budget and the institutional culture of the Pentagon than Bill Lynn.

We need to move away from supplementals, I think the Secretary has said that, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs has said that--I certainly agree.

It's an honor to be here today. I'm particularly pleased with the appointments that the President-elect has made, beginning with Secretary Gates.

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, major efforts have been made to improve information-sharing.

the September 11 attacks illustrated a fundamental failure by our Government to share information effectively in order to detect and prevent the attack by 'connecting the dots.'

The September 11 attacks illustrated a fundamental failure by our Government to share information effectively.

I believe sharing accurate, relevant, and timely information... is critical to combating terrorism and ensuring national security.

Governor Mabus, you bring an extraordinary range of experience to the task before you. I think the President made a very wise choice.

the perception caused by civilian casualties is one of the most dangerous things we face in Afghanistan

I think it has to be viewed as a critical requirement for us.

I think we've learned worldwide is that governmental capacity is such a critical element of stability.

I can't ever envision a day when I'd say that an operation I'm involved in has enough ISR.

I think the President has chosen very wisely.

I consider the threat from lack of governance to be equal to the threat from the Taliban.

Regardless, I think, of the presence of U.S. forces there, the limiting factor appears to me to be the Afghan forces.