From General Petraeus’s confirmation hearing to be the new top dog in the Iraq Theater:

SEN. LIEBERMAN: You also said in response to a question from Senator McCain that adoption of a resolution of disapproval, which is contemplated by our colleagues and probably will be on the Senate floor — disapproval of the new way ahead in Iraq — would not, if I remember your words, have a beneficial effect on our troops in Iraq. But I want to ask you, what effect would Senate passage of a resolution of disapproval of this new way ahead that you embrace — what effect would it have on our enemies in Iraq?

GEN. PETRAEUS: Sir, as I stated in the opening statement, this is a test of wills, at the end of the day. And in that regard, speaking purely as a military commander, if confirmed — albeit one who, frankly, does understand enormously and treasures the value of free and open debate, free speech, who has put himself in harm’s way to protect those great features of our democracy — nonetheless, having said that, a commander in such an endeavor would obviously like the enemy to feel that there’s no hope.

SEN. LIEBERMAN: And a resolution — a Senate-passed resolution of disapproval for this new strategy in Iraq would give the enemy some encouragement, some feeling that — well, some clear expression that the American people were divided.

GEN. PETRAEUS: That’s correct, sir.

Shamelessly excerpted from a longer excerpt at RedState, go check it out.