Washington, DC —
Senator John Thune today joined a select bipartisan group of Senators in meeting with President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Rice, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, National Security Advisor Hadley and other top Administration officials at the White House to discuss ongoing efforts in Iraq.
"With South Dakotan soldiers and their families sacrificing and contributing to the great effort to secure democracy and stability in Iraq, it was beneficial to hear firsthand today from the President and Vice President and their foreign policy team on our mission in Iraq," Thune said. "It is evident the Administration and our military have been operating under a clear strategy for success that has yielded significant progress. With each passing day, Iraq moves closer to stability and full sovereignty. Iraqis are taking more responsibility for the security of their country.
"The signs of progress in Iraq could not be more clear with Iraqis voting in record numbers—their third successful election in Iraq this year—and a noticeable decrease in violence. There is a strong spirit of freedom sweeping across Iraq as these sovereign people choose votes over violence. We should be proud of the work our troops have played in this critical War on Terror. We must remain united behind them as they continue to secure peace and stability in the region, so our men and women in uniform can return just as soon as this mission is complete."
In addition to Senator Thune, the following Senators were scheduled to attend the White House briefing: Sens. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Thomas Carper (D-DE), John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.).
"With South Dakotan soldiers and their families sacrificing and contributing to the great effort to secure democracy and stability in Iraq, it was beneficial to hear firsthand today from the President and Vice President and their foreign policy team on our mission in Iraq," Thune said. "It is evident the Administration and our military have been operating under a clear strategy for success that has yielded significant progress. With each passing day, Iraq moves closer to stability and full sovereignty. Iraqis are taking more responsibility for the security of their country.
"The signs of progress in Iraq could not be more clear with Iraqis voting in record numbers—their third successful election in Iraq this year—and a noticeable decrease in violence. There is a strong spirit of freedom sweeping across Iraq as these sovereign people choose votes over violence. We should be proud of the work our troops have played in this critical War on Terror. We must remain united behind them as they continue to secure peace and stability in the region, so our men and women in uniform can return just as soon as this mission is complete."
In addition to Senator Thune, the following Senators were scheduled to attend the White House briefing: Sens. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Thomas Carper (D-DE), John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), and Pete Domenici (R-N.M.).