I believe there should be no arbitrary date set for withdrawal and yet no permanent, unending deployment. No cut and run, yet measured progress in helping a people who want to be free without an illusion of overnight success.

This quote means that there should not be a specific date when troops are withdrawn from a country they are helping. Instead, the withdrawal should not be rushed, and there should be a steady process of helping the people reach freedom. Change will not happen immediately; it will take time.