The Senate Goes On The Record For (And Against) Petraeus
The Senate today agreed to Sen. John Cornyn's (R-TX) non-binding measure expressing "the sense of the Senate" that Gen. David Petraeus "deserves the full support of the Senate." The amendment also "strongly" condemns "personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus and all members of the United States Armed Forces."
The measure -- aimed at putting senators on the record about MoveOn.org's 9/10 "General Betray Us" ad in the New York Times -- passed by a vote of 72-25.
Of the WH '08 Dems in the Senate -- HRC, Obama, Biden, and Dodd -- none supported the measure (although Biden and Obama did not vote), which means, in essence, that no one chose to repudiate MoveOn.org's "General Betray Us" ad. It is hardly surprising, given the fact that Biden has been the only one to condemn the ad so far [calling it "a mistake," but not a "capital offense." Obama, meanwhile, merely said the ad was "counterproductive."]. And WH Dems can't afford to go on the record saying that they fully support Petraeus -- in the eyes of their primary voters, it would be tantamount to endorsing Bush's war policy.
Meanwhile, the Senate also voted on a similar Dem-sponsored resolution -- which more softly reaffirmed "strong support for all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces" and "strongly" condemned "attacks on the honor, integrity, and patriotism of any individual who is serving or has served honorably in the United States Armed Forces, by any person or organization." The Dem resolution failed to gain the necessary 60 votes for passage, in a vote of 51-46. But of the WH '08 Dems, Dodd, HRC, and Obama all supported the measure, while Biden did not vote.
And, even with HRC's support of the Dem measure, it may be only a matter of time before Rudy Giuliani's camp fires off a press release, condemning her for yet again failing to acknowledge Petraeus' service and integrity. [MAURA O'BRIEN]
as usual, the Republicans protest FREE SPEECH-(the Democrats that sighed on disgust me)they also don't support HABEAS CORPUS or the Constitution-somehow America fought TWO WORLD WARS with habeas corpus, but I guess the Constitution just doesn't work for pre-emptive war-Pretty soon the word COWARD is going to be synonymous with REPUBLICAN.
Is this an opinion piece or a news story?
Jeanruss, If the censors are asleep and this comment gets posted, (they censored my previous comment questioning whether or not heis was a news story or commentry), I'd like to ask you if the internment of American citizens of japanese decent was a violation of Habeas Corpus.
As for the word "coward". It seems the Republicans are the only ones willing to take 0on the evil which has engulfed the Islamic world.
Any American whom calls one of our finest a traiter should have to walk a mile in their footsteps. Obama,Clinton, and most of the representives in Washington have never served in the MILITARY. And people like John Murtha should be voted out of office by the good people of PA. Let them have a bullet go by their ear and you will know them for what they really are.