Republican Senator John Cornyn offered a
Sense of the Senate Resolution this afternoon, requiring a three fifths majority, decrying the personal attacks that we've witnessed over the past two weeks on General Petraeus and his troops' integrity. As General Petraeus was confirmed to his position as head of Multinational Forces in Iraq unanimously by this same august body, one would assume that this resolution would also be unanimous, or close to it. Especially when you read the entire text:
To express the sense of the Senate that General David H. Petraeus, Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq, deserves the full support of the Senate and strongly condemn personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus and all members of the United States Armed Forces.
That's it. No hidden language, nobody specifically mentioned. Just 47 words. A good time for the Senate to unite in a bipartisan way in support for the commanding General currently in combat in Iraq. It passed, 72 to 25, with three Not Voting. The "Nays" consisted of 24 Democrats and 1 Independent. The 3 "Not Voting" were all Democrats.
NAYs ---25 Akaka (D-HI) Bingaman (D-NM) Boxer (D-CA) Brown (D-OH) Byrd (D-WV) Clinton (D-NY) Dodd (D-CT) Durbin (D-IL) Feingold (D-WI) Harkin (D-IA) Inouye (D-HI) Kennedy (D-MA) Kerry (D-MA) Lautenberg (D-NJ) Levin (D-MI) Menendez (D-NJ) Murray (D-WA) Reed (D-RI) Reid (D-NV) Rockefeller (D-WV) Sanders (I-VT) Schumer (D-NY) Stabenow (D-MI) Whitehouse (D-RI) Wyden (D-OR)
Not Voting - 3 Biden (D-DE) Cantwell (D-WA) Obama (D-IL)
Ah, true profiles in courage. Well, at least the troops know who their friends are - who has their back up on the Hill. And al Qaida knows who their friends are, as well.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Republicans would be foolish not to take political advantage of this "silver platter" gift by MoveOn.
By opposing President Bush on the Iraq war and pandering to liberals to end the war Democrats have painted themselves into a corner.
With General Petraeus postive report moderate "Blue Dog" democrats are unlikely to vote to "cut and run". That leaves our 'do less than nothing' Congress with nothing to offer the anti-war crowd they whipped into a frenzy to win in '06.
The MoveOn "Betray Us" ad has given Republicans a very big stick to beat Democrats, already down and out after the Petreaus report, with.
Democrats must chose between opposing MoveOn by condeming the "Betray Us" ad or saying nothing. This vote just calls them out and puts them "On the record" so there is no room to flip flop in the future.
In addition to winning in Iraq this Senate vote is just future ammunition with which to beat Democrats with during the next election.
President Bushs approval rating has risen in lock step with the improvments in Iraq to a three month high of 40.2%.
Good news from Iraq is bad news for Democrats in '08.
Pete at 9:40PM on Sep 20th 2007
2.
Not meaning to change the subject, but there is good news coming out of Iraq to report -
"The Americans used to be loathed in Azamiyah, a longtime stronghold of insurgents and the last place where Saddam Hussein appeared in public. Now the animosity has given way to a grudging acceptance, because the people of this northern neighborhood want American protection from a foe they hate and fear even more: the mainly Shiite Iraqi army."
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmr1op25QWWcmciGMI_Tq5SpqDZg
That is good news, yes!? This can looked upon as a turning point, right!? They accept us. They accept us. (I'm tearing up.) How can we possibly leave Iraq now that we have achieved acceptance!?
We must stay in Iraq. And for a long time. The longer, the better. Acceptance. Safety. At the same time. And in Iraq! Success!!!
vegastracon at 12:09PM on Sep 21st 2007