Bill Keating actually said...

"So promoting democracy, helping to advance our democratic values around the world--the work that your three organizations do--should be at the center of our foreign policy."

"We cannot afford cuts to democracy and governance programs right now or, when it's appropriated, fail to implement programs because of directives from the White House or Embassies abroad."

"They're going to continue. But I think we are able to really help them--give them solidarity, give them technical support, give them financial support."

"I would say this, too. Often I preface statements to other countries where we might be a little critical of the way they're operating."