We have come a long way and we have a little further to go.

And the last thing that I want to see us do is ask more and more of our troops [in Afghanistan ] without guaranteeing that we're providing more and more of what's necessary to make the mission successful.

We've been at war for many years in Afghanistan following 9/11. We know that we've got young men and women on the ground now. We've got our blood and treasure at stake there already.

Deliberation is a good thing when it comes to fighting wars.

In the White House, you can be on the pitcher's mound or you can be in the catcher's position. Put points on the board. Show people you can govern. Deliver on what you said you were going to deliver on.

I wake up some mornings hating me too.

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.