Adam Smith: “I just read a biography of Mr. Washington, and not to go puncturing holes in the midst of our great Nation, he retreated…”

“I just read a biography of Mr. Washington, and not to go puncturing holes in the midst of our great Nation, he retreated a fair amount, actually. In fact, I don't know where we got this idea that the great leaders of our time only went forward. We have heard about President Kennedy and President Truman. At one time or another, they retreated from a fair number of battles. Now, sometimes that was a wise and tactical maneuver to win the larger war. Sometimes it was a mistake. History judges, but I think it does sort of portray the thinking of the President that the only way is forward, regardless of the details. A little more thought, I think, might help us. I will return to that point at the end of my remarks. But the first thing I want to say, I think this is by and large a very good debate on a very important issue facing our Nation.”