Pete Domenici: “I have always been in complete support of our troops who risk their lives every day to defend the United States of…”

“I have always been in complete support of our troops who risk their lives every day to defend the United States of America. I voted for every dollar requested to fully fund our troops and against every effort to dictate the tactics of war from the Halls of Congress. However, last year I began to express my concerns about the deteriorating conditions in Iraq and called on the Iraqi Government to do more and to do more quickly. I pointed to benchmarks laid out by the President and Congress that had a great deal of resonancy to them and that were rather unanimous in terms of support. These were benchmarks on the ways that the Iraqi Government could and should move its country forward. I am glad to say that since General Petraeus took charge in Iraq, conditions have improved and the benchmarks have been met. Iraq's different sects are working together. There has been a renewed spirit of reconciliation among Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds. A debaathification law has been passed. Iraqis are taking an interest in their own safety and security, forming neighborhood watch groups and looking out for each other. There is no question, I know there are some who would not like to admit the facts, but the facts are the facts.”