Political Quotes

“I do want to speak for just a moment about the war on terror and our efforts in Iraq. It is clear that we have come to a very important time in this effort. The President is going to speak about his strategy tomorrow night. You know, I have been asked many times over the last few weeks, and certainly on Sunday when I was at Fort Campbell, if I would support a surge in the troops. I think that we have to remember that it is important that we listen to the men and women and the commanders in the field as we have this discussion. We have to look at the situation: what does it take to defuse it, to stand up the Iraqis and make it easier to relinquish control to the Iraqis for their country. It is exactly this sort of opportunity and these situations that really animate the work and the leadership of Lieutenant General David Petraeus, the American commander who has been there for a year with the 101st, who was back for a year training the Iraqi troops in Baghdad, and now will return again. He has been called the military's warrior scholar and has drawn deeply on his dual background to create a leadership style that is respectful of military tradition and is innovative. We support General Petraeus. We look forward to his work there and his leadership style as we work to continue to defeat the terrorists and win the war on terror.”