John McCain

Wouldn't it be helpful if the President of the United States made clear what you have just said?

I think that it is a misinterpretation that we would, and we have to be very clear that we're not leaving.

I think our counterterrorism cooperation is also at an all-time high.

These leaks are certainly not helpful in you doing your job, particularly in coordination with our allies.

It is the solemn obligation of political leaders, here in Washington, to be equal to that commitment and the sacrifice it entails.

To stand up for the human rights and democratic aspirations of citizens across the region, especially in a country like Egypt, which is entering a critical period of transition.

To continue building a balance of power in the Middle East that curbs the Iranian Government's pursuit of regional hegemony and a nuclear weapons capability;

We're pleased to hear testimony from General Mattis as we consider his nomination to be Commander of CENTCOM.

The kind of process that needs to be carried out so that the people do feel that what the 'new Afghanistan' offers is, indeed, a better future.

How do you ensure that all elements of a local community, subdistrict, district, province feel that they are represented adequately and fairly?

The constitution is what mandates the centralization of that government in Afghanistan, and President Karzai is, of course, carrying out the law of that constitution.

I'm sure you may have seen that this committee, the majority decided that we would cut a billion dollars from aid to Iraq military and put in earmarked porkbarrel projects.

Obviously, one of the biggest problems we're facing is corruption.

There was not. By any military person that you know of.

That argues, then, for a reassessment of the July 2011 commitment to begin a withdrawal.

He is proof that we can win wars, and we need to give him every opportunity, and remove every obstacle, to win in Afghanistan.

We cannot afford to have a stay-the-course approach to starting our withdrawal in July 2011, when the facts on the ground are suggesting that we need more time.

The performance of the Afghan Government over the past 7 months is not as even or as rapid as we had hoped.

If the President would say that success in Afghanistan is our only withdrawal plan...he would make the war more winnable.

What we need to hear from the President...is that the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan will be determined solely by conditions on the ground.

I appreciate the President's statement, last week, that July 2011 is simply a date to 'begin a transition phase to greater Afghan responsibility.'

Before heading out to Iraq 3 years ago, General Petraeus, you told this committee that the mission was 'hard, but not hopeless.' I would characterize our mission in Afghanistan the same way.

I agree with the President, that success in Afghanistan is 'a vital national interest,' and I support his decision to adopt a counterinsurgency strategy backed by more troops and civilian resources.

We saw in Iraq the importance of setting dates as a way of spurring action.

That July 2011 date imparts a necessary sense of urgency to Afghan leaders about the need to take on principal responsibility for their country's security.