John Warner: “We cannot do it. But America did do it, again, with strong leadership.”

You will carry with you for the rest of your life the recollections of the work that you have done for one of America's most valued assets, the men and the women and their families of the armed services of the United States.

I think that's a really significant answer since the question of readiness clearly one of the most strategically important issues you have to deal with.

Good luck to each and every one of you, and to the importance of the confirmation process.

You're a man of courage and you take on the tough jobs in that Congress and do the very best you can to achieve working relationships.