Wars are about winning and losing.

I think these issues are being discussed in the political realm, and I'd prefer to keep them there.

I think there is really no telling what could happen if Iraq fails.

I agree, we're not seeking a military victory in Iraq, we're trying to turn around the situation, in terms of security.

One of the biggest nightmares of the dictatorship in Syria and the theocracy in Iran is to have a functioning democracy in Iraq. It threatens their regimes.

If the person down the street who was caught putting an IED in the ground to kill Iraqi troops and American troops, if they went to jail for 30 years or got executed that might deter IEDs.

This is our last best chance to get this right.

Could I go to Fallujah tomorrow? Could I go downtown to Fallujah tomorrow as a Senator?

Senator Graham, this is not double down; this is all in.

Is it pretty clear that elements of the Iranian Government are actively involved in killing American soldiers?

Is it fair to say that one of the reasons that we have the highest rate of reenlistment among those who have served in Iraq is that they believe it is part of the global struggle, the war on terror?

So, it's your belief that Iran is trying to, basically, drive us out of Iraq so they would, I guess, be a winner, if we left?

IEDs, that is the biggest threat to our troops. 70 percent of our casualties are from IEDs, is that correct?

No matter how well-intentioned, a resolution being opposed to this new strategy is a vote of no confidence in you.

So if you could improve the economy and have jobs available to people other than being in the IED business, hopefully that over time would help.

So if there is a bloodbath in Baghdad, are we going to sit on the sidelines and watch it happen? Is that in our national interest?

The public is going to break against us big time.

The point I am trying to make is it is clear to me that we have never had the force levels to be claiming we have been fighting a counterinsurgency.

So, we need to develop along three fronts: a better rule of law, a better economy, and a better security environment.

the reason I rise to take the floor is this afternoon--I think the Presiding Officer was present in the Armed Services Committee hearing when General Petraeus testified about the new strategy in Iraq. I hope that over time more Americans…

This is the last best chance and the question is, the last hand to be played, should you play it?

From the Iranian point of view, do you consider, based on what you know now, that the Iranian involvement in Iraq is counterproductive to developing a democracy in Iraq?

Can you have a functioning democracy where the capital itself is not secure?

General Petraeus said that a resolution passed by Congress disapproving of the mission that he's about to embark on, in his opinion, would be detrimental to morale.

If you think it is Vietnam, if you really believe we are in Vietnam, you should cut off funding.