We have reached an important milestone and achieved a new momentum in reaching a goal all Americans should embrace - building a secure, peaceful, democratic Iraq that is no longer a threat to the United States or the international community.

There are extensive contacts between Saddam Hussein’s government and al Qaeda.

I’ve spent the last year listening to Americans, and the state of the union that George W. Bush lives in is very different from the state that most hardworking Americans are living in.

People should cool down a little bit and not look at the people in the other party as enemies.

The difference in this town – here in Washington – on the war is not between Democrats and Republicans; it’s between people who believe essentially we’ve already lost in Iraq and it’s time to get out – and most of the rest of us who believe not only have we not lost, but we’re winning.

Republicans can’t run their normal playbook on me that they try to run on Democratic candidates. They can’t say I flip-flop because I don’t. They can’t say I’m weak on defense because I’m not. They can’t say I’m weak on values because I’m not. They can’t say I’m a big taxer and a big spender.

In this era of uncertainty and conflict, the United States – blessed with the world’s strongest military, most ingenious economy, and most tolerant society – remains a model and leader to the world.

Shame on us if 100 years from now our grandchildren are living on a planet that has been irreparably damaged by Global Warming, and they ask, ‘How could those who came before us, who saw this coming, have let this happen?’

It is time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge that he will be commander in chief for three more critical years, and that in matters of war we undermine presidential credibility at our nation’s peril.

Community means engaging constructively with like-minded nations to build strong, sustaining institutions and alliances – and bringing emerging powers into this community so future conflict becomes less likely.