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We talk a lot about operational control, and that's having a better understanding of who's coming in and who's leaving, what the threat really is. We're never really going to get that.

There can be no great courage where there is no confidence or assurance, and half the battle is in the conviction that we can do what we undertake.

We need a Commander-in-Chief, not a Campaigner-in-Chief.

No commander in chief would ever say, 'I'm not going to listen to the guys on the ground.'

We will be drawing down some troops. If the president wants to try to turn that into the beginning of a success, he actually, I think, has some opportunity.

I'd always thought that, in all the great sci-fi constructs, there's always the guy who seems like he's the commander, but then you reveal that there's an even bigger puppet master up above and beyond him.

I'm sad to report that in the past few years, ever since uncertainty became our insistent 21st century companion, leadership has taken a great leap backwards to the familiar territory of command and control.

I agree with the President that second-guessing is not a strategy, but at the same time, I want to continue the dialogue that ultimately will lead to bringing all of our troops home.

I've been a soldier too long to refuse to entertain any request from a potential commander in chief.