James M. Talent: “Are we to lower the standards of our society because the President cannot live up to them?”

The warrior ethos is not a luxury, it is essential when you have a military.

What we were hearing back is a greater and greater level of frustration that the system doesn't seem to understand what they're dealing with.

Part of what you are doing and need to do is to strengthen the civilian elements of national influence.

I think the top-level political authority, which you all represent, what is it you want the outcome of this to be and why?