"I believe that this position would repeat the nearly catastrophic mistakes of Iraq and significantly set back the vital war effort in Afghanistan."
"Until the minute you make our security forces self-sufficient. Then you will be welcome to visit us, not as soldiers, but as guests."
"The Taliban are detested by Afghans who have experienced life under their brutal regime."
"dependent care and flexible spending accounts should be evaluated as options . . . to further assist families as well as to build additional incentives for the recruitment and retention of our militar..."
"The security situation in Afghanistan is serious, and the fight with al Qaeda and the Taliban has reached a crucial stage."
"If we take the right steps, we can help ensure that Afghanistan does not revert to a Taliban-dominated government."
"Today, the committee considers a number of nominations for the Department of Defense."
"a failure in Afghanistan would have, I think, a devastating effect on our efforts to stabilize neighboring nuclear Pakistan."
"This is not a question of a lack of motivation on the part of the Afghans."
"If we just pour money into there without the government of Pakistan understanding or agreeing that its principal threat is the threat of extremists, we would be perceived as trying to buy their suppor..."
"We have heard different arguments or positions about why we can't move faster."