Will we fight or will we retreat? That is the question that is posed to us. Some of my friends on the other side of the aisle often refer to Iraq as a distraction.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Of course, violence will not end with our combat mission. Extremists will continue to set off bombs, attack Iraqi civilians and try to spark sectarian strife. But ultimately, these terrorists will fail to achieve their goals.
As much as we might look for opportunities to keep Iraq together, we need to be prepared for the reality that it's not going to stay together.
When the Americans advance, we harass and retreat, fire from new positions and then retreat again. If the attacking force is too big, we call for support.
And we need to maintain our foothold in the fight against terrorism and terrorist groups and respond to any degradation of Iraqi security or stability.
Iraq is no diversion. It is a place where civilization is taking a decisive stand against chaos and terror, we must not waver.
Are we fighting too many wars? And I would say no. We're fighting one war. And it's a war against radical Islamic Jihad.
The fight, this war, this fight against the remnants of terrorism will go on for some time.
Our armed forces will fight for peace in Iraq, a peace built on more secure foundations than are found today in the Middle East. Even more important, they will fight for two human conditions of even greater value than peace: liberty and justice.
We are not going to abandon Iraq.
We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction.