We will keep the promise of Social Security by taking the responsible steps to strengthen it - not by turning it over to Wall Street.

We've persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people - a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it's time to turn the page.

If we have a phased redeployment where we're as careful getting out as we were careless getting in, then there's not reason why we shouldn't be able to prevent the wholesale slaughter I think some people have suggested might occur.

No matter how much you've done, or how successful you've been, there's always more to do, always more to learn, and always more to achieve.

What we should be asking is not whether we need a big government or small government, but how we can create a smarter and better government.

Even limited military actions end up carrying with them great costs and unintended consequences.

We are God's partners in matters of life and death.