VGPro.com
has a quote from Valve's Gabe Newell, who recently commented about Half-Life 2 release delays in Polygon magazine. Thanks
Blues News.
We've already spent millions into this project, and we're willing to spend as much as we need to make this the best first person experience ever. If that means delaying the game to 2005, we'll do it without any hesitation. If it means sinking another $20 million into the project, we can do it. Rest assured, if we delay the game, it'll be only to blow your socks off even more when it finally releases
Not that this was supposed to be taken as evidence the game won't be out this year in the first place, but
Halflife2.net points out this quote came in reply to the delay in September 2003.