The Honorable Jack Reed
Democratic National Convention
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

As someone who had the privilege of commanding paratroopers, I know the tremendous sacrifices our troops and their families are making. They deserve leadership worthy of their sacrifice. Leadership that unites us, drawing on that unique American spirit which, at every stage in our nation's history, has enabled us to turn adversity into advancement, and tragedy into triumph. That's the type of leadership that President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will provide.

Each day, our servicemen and women risk their lives and do everything in their power to seize the objective. But the strength and security of our nation is not solely the charge of those who serve in uniform. It rests with each and every one of us-in the choices we make; the values we teach our children; the commitments we keep to family, community, and country. The power of American ideals will always remain unsurpassed, so long as we, as citizens, accept the responsibility to advance the causes of freedom and equality.

My father was a school janitor after serving in the Navy during World War II. Like many parents, he and my mother valued education and civic duty. My dad would often go in early to help kids get to school safely, and stay late so folks could hold community meetings. They taught me there is heroism in every citizen willing to sacrifice to strengthen our society. Barack Obama shares these values. He was raised with these values. And for over two decades, he has lived them through public service.

Recently, I joined Senator Obama and Senator Chuck Hagel on a bipartisan trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. We were all impressed with the heroism and dedication of our troops. What truly struck me was the astounding level of admiration, enthusiasm and respect that our troops have for Senator Obama. Everywhere we went Barack was surrounded by soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who simply wanted an opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for his efforts and leadership. Our men and women in uniform know a leader when they see one.

The pace of our trip was grueling. Many days began at 0500 hours. Many days were filled with visits to forward operating bases, military hospitals, meetings with troops and briefings with senior officials late into the night. Barack Obama demonstrated, like he has time and again, that he will be a great commander-in-chief.

There is a clear choice in this election. For eight years, John McCain has fallen in line with every one of George Bush's national security decisions, and now he offers up four more years of the same failed policies. Barack Obama has proven he has the judgment to deliver the change we need.

While Senator McCain was a cheerleader-in-chief for the Bush Administration's rush to a war against a nation that posed no imminent threat, Barack Obama and I opposed the war in Iraq from day one.

While Senator McCain said that we'd be greeted as liberators in Iraq, Barack Obama warned of "occupation of undetermined length, with undetermined costs, and undetermined consequences."

While Senator McCain supported policies that took the pressure off al- Qaida and allowed bin Laden to remain at large, Barack Obama said as early as 2002 that we needed to focus on finishing the fight against bin Laden and al- Qaida. As commander-in-chief, he will keep that commitment.

The courage of our soldiers and the generosity of the American people is limitless, but after eight years of the Bush Administration, our national security resources are limited. We cannot keep sending our troops to fight in Iraq, on tour after tour, without a clear mission and a strategy for success. Our military is overstretched, our military families are overburdened and other pressing security threats go unchecked.

But Senator McCain wants to stay in Iraq indefinitely, spending $10 billion a month while Iraqi politicians sit atop a $79 billion surplus. We cannot afford more of the same. It's time to responsibly end the war in Iraq, and that's what Barack Obama will do. Barack Obama will work with our military commanders to begin the phased redeployment of our troops out of Iraq in 16 months. He will only keep troops in Iraq to target al-Qaida, protect our forces, and train Iraqi troops. Barack Obama will rebuild our military and shift more resources to finish the job George W. Bush has failed to do: hunt down bin Laden and destroy his network.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden have laid out a strategic vision to end the war in Iraq and strengthen our nation at home. They will use every tool in our diplomatic, economic and military power to meet these goals. And after eight years of a politics based on division, they will once again summon Americans to a common purpose.

And together, with Barack Obama and Joe Biden at the helm, America will rise to meet the challenges of our time and turn the page to a new, more hopeful, more prosperous and more secure chapter in our nation's great history.

Thank you.