"The administration needs to speak honestly with the American people. Exaggerating our progress in defeating the insurgency or in creating an Iraqi army paints a dangerous picture"

This quote by Sherrod Brown is emphasizing the relevance of sincerity in interaction between the administration as well as the American people. He is recommending that the management should not overemphasize the development that has actually been made in defeating the revolt or in creating an Iraqi army. Overemphasizing the progression can bring about an incorrect complacency and also a false belief that the scenario is better than it in fact is. Brown is alerting that this might be unsafe, as it could lead to a lack of readiness for any kind of potential future risks. He is highlighting the relevance of truthful interaction in between the management and the American people, to ensure that the American people can be precisely notified of the scenario and can be planned for any potential future threats.