Barack Obama actually said...

"We're looking very closely at those questions."

"I think it has gone—I'll be honest with you—better than I might have expected just a year ago."

"It’s been two years since he’s been able to get to Afghanistan, and he felt that it was very important for him to express directly to the troops his gratitude."

"I thought it was important for me to make sure that I check in directly with folks face to face before those decisions were finally made."