Every Civilian's Death Diminishes Us, Collectively.

There Has, Indeed, Been Very Substantial Progress In Iraq Over The Past Year - Violence Is Down By 80 Percent, Civilian Deaths By About The Same, And So On.

If You Don't Want To Have To Kill Or Capture Every Bad Guy In The Country, You Have To Reintegrate Those Who Are Willing To Be Reconciled And Become Part Of The Solution Instead Of A Continued Part Of The Problem. And Then, Above All, The Resources.

I Am Not A Politician, And I Will Never Be, And I Say That With Absolute Conviction.

The President And I Sat Down In The Oval Office, And He Expressed Very Clearly That What He Wants From Me Is My Best Professional Military Advice.

Fighting In Cities Is A Totally Different Endeavor Than Obviously Fighting Out In The Open.