History has shown that a country most effectively speaks with one voice. When nationally elected officials work together, build consensus, and provide leadership, the American people will follow.

(The) chain of command has failed over the years, obviously, for a lot of reasons.

Iraq was a war of choice, like Vietnam.

Alliances and international organizations should be understood as opportunities for leadership and a means to expand our influence, not as constraints on our power.

There has to be a reason and objective (to air strikes). What does it do to move the effort down the road for a political conversation?

If America is to succeed in responding to these 21st Century challenges, our political system cannot continue to bog down in the mire of partisan gamesmanship.

There are always consequences to actions that you take. There are consequences to inaction. And thinking through, asking the questions, "Well, then what happens? What comes next?" is critically important.