Political Quotes

“I intend to support the nomination of Dr. Robert Gates as the new Secretary of Defense. I believe he will provide the Department of Defense, and the President's senior team, the new perspective and fresh ideas so desperately needed. He is a distinguished and seasoned public servant, and his long experience will serve him well in what will be a challenging post. I want to thank Senators Warner and Levin for making sure Dr. Gates received an expeditious and thorough hearing. With our Nation at war, we could not afford to let his confirmation drag. I am hopeful that, when confirmed, Dr. Gates will serve as an agent of change in the administration--most importantly, on Iraq. Yesterday, when asked if we are winning in Iraq, Dr. Gates said 'no.' Today, the Iraq Study Group said the situation in Iraq is 'grave and deteriorating.' The Iraq Study Group has done a tremendous and historic service to the American people and to the troops serving in harm's way in Iraq. Their report underscores the message the American people sent one month ago: there must be change in Iraq, and there is no time to lose. It is time for the Iraqis to build and secure their nation, and it is time for American combat troops to be redeployed. Each day the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate. Time is not on our side.”