host: we are talking with major jeffrey buchanan. you can tell there is a bit of a delay between me asking questions and the general being able to hear and respond, so we ask that you be a little patient here. we also have a special line set aside this morning set aside for iraq veterans. 202-737-2579. we want to hear from you as well. what is the role of u.s. troops in iraq right now? guest: well, right now we have three major tasks. we're still undertaking part of civility operations. the first is to advise, train and quip iraqi security forces. they have had to leave security in the country since last summer. by any measure they have been doing a good job. they still have room for growth. they have need to continue to improve. we have helped continue to professionalize their forces and set them up for success in the future to better meet all of their needs. we as we continue to conduct partners, what we call partner counterterrorism operations with the iraqi security forces. in particular our special operations forces have been wo

host: we are talking with major jeffrey buchanan.espond, so we ask that you be a little patient here. we also have a special line set aside this morning set aside for iraq veterans. 202-737-25. we want to hear om you as well. what is the role of u.s. troops in iraq right now? guest: well, right now we have three major tasks. we're still undertakingart of civility operations. the first is to advise, train, and quip iraqi security forces. they have had to leave security n the country since last summer. by any measure, they have been doing a good job. they still have room for growth. they have need to continue to improve. we have helped continue to professionalize their forces and set them up for success in the future to better meet all of their needs. we, as we continue to conduct partners, what we call partner counterterrorism operations with the iraqi security orces. in prticular, our special operations forces have been working directly with theirs to employ intelligence needs, to capture terrorists, for example, and bring them to ju

[captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] >> tomorrow on washington journal, jeffrey buchanan talks about violent attacks from insurgents and how they may affect the planned troop drawdown in iraq. after that, the president of the national right to work committee on his fight to pass legislation on the state and federal level. that is live on c-span. on tuesday, former massachusetts governor mitt romney will announce his jobs plan at a truck company in las vegas. his speech comes two days before president obama is addressed to a joint session of congress. live coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> watch more video of the candidates. selah political reporters are saying. track the latest contributions with the website for campaign 2012. it helps you navigate the political landscape with twitter feeds and facebook updates, candid it bios, and the latest polling data, plus links to media partners in the early primary and caucus states. all at c-span.org/ >> monday, a series of town hall meetings held by members of congress during the summer resource -- recess. jobs a

major general jeffrey buchanan, navy petty officer third class clinton howell and senior airman terrancespecialist ashley polam, i'm no math genius but i think that's five. happy labor day. many americans celebrating freedom this morning, you're responsible for allowing that to happen. good morning, gentlemen. >> good morning and thanks for having us on your show today, clayton. and happy labor day from all of us to all of you. >> absolutely. and major general, let me start with you. we asked that question at the beginning, how have things changed? eight long years and civilian control about to be taken over at the end of this year. are we ready? >> well, i think that iraq has made tremendous progress over the last eight years and a number of us who have served here on and off over the years continue to be inspired by the growth. economically and certainly in the security forces. i think that the iraqi government, the country, the security forces are all on the right track. they're headed in the right direction. i think there's some obstacles ahead that we don't fully understand but i th

host: we have to say goodbye to major jeffrey buchanan joining us from baghdad to give us an update on that situation. we want to thank him for giving us an update this morning and for answering telephone calls. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] >> coming up, pat toomey, followed by wasserman schultz in about one hour and how the u.s. has changed since 9/11. >> henry clay ran for president of the united states and lost, but he changed the course of history. he is one of those featured on "the contenders." friday at 8:00 p.m. eastern. >> pennsylvania senator pat toomey is one of the 12 members of congress appointed to the joint committee on debt as a reduction, charged with recommending spending cuts by thanksgiving. this is just over one hour. [applause] >> i have the pleasure of introducing pat >> i have the pleasure of introducing a woman to lead us. >> economic financial-services and budget issues, striving to restore fiscal discipline to washington and economic opportunity for all americans. among other