I feel a sense of obligation to our troops and their families because of the decisions that I made. So I'm involved with veterans.

I'm comfortable moving into the role of elder person.

If our commanders on the ground say we need more troops, I will send them. But our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job. Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave.

The decisions I made are done. And history will judge whether or not they were correct. There's no such thing as accurate short-term history.

We're coming with a mighty force to end the reign of your oppressors. We are coming to bring you food and medicine and a better life. And we are coming and we will not stop, we will not relent until your country is free.

Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos.

It's important to take risks.