Political Quotes

“I want to comment on an opportunity I had on Saturday to meet with Ambassador Bremer shortly after his arrival from Iraq. And we met, for a short period of time, with Senator Warner and Representatives Lewis and Murtha to talk a little bit about what is going on on the ground in Iraq, specifically with coalition provisional authority, what their role is, how much progress is being made in rebuilding Iraq. It is so difficult for all of us, in our briefings, where we are getting information secondhand, thirdhand--we are watching the news on television and reading it in the papers, and you get slivers of information--it is very tough to put in perspective what is actually going on in this vast country, where we know we are rebuilding not just from the war several weeks ago but from 10 years of neglect--indeed, 30 years of neglect. It is hard to assess, in terms of health care and water and schools and roads, where we are. You really see very little in terms of progress being made based on the information that filters through to us.”