But the hope is that as we progress, that those drawdowns will be able to accelerate.

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He will not make specific decisions on further drawdowns before the current drawdown is complete in September in 2012.

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He began 2007 on the same pace as 2006, but he suffered severe drawdowns and had to reassess and rebuild his capital.

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Much of that is due to defense drawdowns, though, and federal spending remains at a peacetime high, well in excess of 22% of GDP.

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Troop drawdowns from Iraq and Afghanistan also could help cut spending.

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It was motivated also by a desire to avoid a repeat of the precipitous drawdowns that had occurred after World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

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They found that the gold overlay lowered portfolio drawdowns over the past decade, on average, to 9.2% from a 12.5% decline in currency-hedged portfolios, and a 13.1% decline in unhedged portfolios.

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Those are the objectives, and the decisions he will make going forward regarding withdrawal and troop drawdowns will be based on the success of fulfilling those objectives and the conditions on the ground as he makes those decisions.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing