I've not been to Afghanistan or - but what people are clearly pointing to is that it becomes more difficult to have it. You could do it. I think weather is a factor. The most important factor though is credibility and legitimacy. What I wanted earlier to say is what I think Senator [John] Kerry is pointing to, which is important, is the strategic review on whether to send more troops is only one piece of the puzzle, important piece.

I mean,you will have an Afghan government. There are two roads here. One is obviously a run-off election or a negotiated settlement. But what's most important about that process is that there's a credibility and a legitimacy to the government at the end of that process. So which road they choose, that's up to them. It must have - be legitimate and credible in the eyes of the Afghan people.

We invoke the sacrifices of our fallen heroes in the abstract, but we seldom take time to thank them individually.

Our troops are the best in the world. I have absolute confidence in the ability of the troops who are here, or additional troops, to do their part.

Nearly losing my life made me want to live my life.

I think the most important thing for us to make judgments about is what can we really do? What can we achieve?

The moment somebody's a president and you call him "Mr. President," (the person represents) our culture, our history, our sense as our nation.