Carl Levin actually said...

This is not a question of a lack of motivation on the part of the Afghans.

a failure in Afghanistan would have, I think, a devastating effect on our efforts to stabilize neighboring nuclear Pakistan.

If we take the right steps, we can help ensure that Afghanistan does not revert to a Taliban-dominated government.

The security situation in Afghanistan is serious, and the fight with al Qaeda and the Taliban has reached a crucial stage.