Joe Manchin actually said...
Secretary Gates told this committee a few weeks ago that he supported the decision to set the July 2011 date because it was necessary to 'grab the attention of the Afghan leadership and bring a sense of urgency to them of the need for them to step up to the plate to take ownership of the war and to recruit their own young men to fight.'
Context
Manchin cites Gates on the urgency for Afghan leadership to take ownership of the war.
02/16/2011