On the recordSeptember 7, 2011
If I may, trying to respond to the Senator's question, the answer is yes. But you don't have to believe me or Senator McCain. Ambassador Jeffrey, who is our U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, told us back in June when he was getting confirmed that all civilian movements are accompanied by American forces, to some extent, a mixture of Iraqi and American forces. We are about to pass the baton between the Department of Defense to the Department of State. The civilian-military partnership that has been formed over the last decade has been working very well, and the future of Iraq is in Iraqis' hands, but they do need our help. As Senator McCain said, we are helping ourselves. On June 24, 2010, we asked General Odierno, Where are we in terms of Iraq? How would you evaluate our situation? And since this is football season---- Mr. McCAIN. This was at a hearing?
