I was changed by 9-11. I suppose we all were, that everybody felt it. This was on my watch. Since that day, I have been on a mission. I said in New York not long after, that the people that did this would hear from all of us soon. I think they can hear us now. Indeed, they can hear the free people of Afghanistan and of Iraq repudiating their doctrines of hatred, choosing justice and peace.
There was real unity on all this then. When a year later it was time to decide about Iraq, my opponent saw the need for that unity. And I thank him for it.
Now, maybe you think this is all over by now. Maybe you think we did the wrong thing, or went too far, or that it doesn't matter. I didn't ask for this, and I wish it weren't this way, but I don't think it is over yet. I think we have more work to do. When our enemies come after us like that, I think we should unite, go straight to the source, and deal with it to its roots. I think nothing should sway us from this, that we should be implacable, until the job is done.
But maybe I am too close. Our system wisely leaves these big decisions not with the men who must carry out the task, but with all of you. You know what I stand for. The decision is yours. If you give me the time, I will finish the job.
My offering on Noonan's stated task...
Key points - he is talking to his bosses, the American people. He is applying for a job. He explains what he will do and why, in terms nobody can miss, about the one overriding issue. And he asks for the "sale" at the "close".
There was real unity on all this then. When a year later it was time to decide about Iraq, my opponent saw the need for that unity. And I thank him for it.
Now, maybe you think this is all over by now. Maybe you think we did the wrong thing, or went too far, or that it doesn't matter. I didn't ask for this, and I wish it weren't this way, but I don't think it is over yet. I think we have more work to do. When our enemies come after us like that, I think we should unite, go straight to the source, and deal with it to its roots. I think nothing should sway us from this, that we should be implacable, until the job is done.
But maybe I am too close. Our system wisely leaves these big decisions not with the men who must carry out the task, but with all of you. You know what I stand for. The decision is yours. If you give me the time, I will finish the job.
The best effort yet.