Political Quotes

“today, as we resumed consideration of the Defense authorization bill, we have debated two very important amendments on U.S. policy in Iraq. After the votes on the minimum wage amendments offered by Senators Kennedy and Enzi, there were 5 hours of debate on the amendment on Iraq offered by Senators Levin and Reed. Following this debate, Senator Kerry offered his amendment. These amendments would call upon the United States to cut and run from Iraq, just when the Iraqi Government and the Iraqi people need us the most. It is important for all of us to fully understand the dangerous implications of a premature withdrawal from Iraq. If we withdraw from Iraq before the Iraqi Government and the Iraqi people are capable of defending their new democracy, the terrorists would see this as a vindication of their strategy of intimidation and violence. This would only embolden them to challenge us, as well as our friend and allies, elsewhere in the Middle East, around the world, and even right here at home. While the new Governmment in Iraq is making substantial progress every day, it is not fully ready to defend itself and provide security for the Iraqi people. If we were to cut and run before Iraq can defend itself, the violence in Iraq would certainly increase. The terrorists could be expected to mount even deadlier attacks against the new Iraqi Governmment and innocent Iraqi civilians. Chaos would result.…”