Democrats Fire Upon Patraeus

Over the past week Congressional Democrats have been laying the ground work for their response to the Iraq Report that was given this week by Four Star Commanding General David Patraeus. Democrats have been methodically preparing to attack the report as wrong and Patraeus as a political patsy for the Bush Administration.

Beginning with a report from the General Accounting Office (GAO) and ending with an “impartial and non-partisan” report by an “independent” group that made its findings known last week in Congressional hearings, Democrats have set up the Patraeus report to failure regardless of what it says or what the General reports. Of course all of the reporting that has been before the Congress and the press thus far has absolutely no political bias. And if you believe that then I have several thousand acres of prime swamp land that I'll sell you at a great price at a fluctuating rate.

First the GAO. This non- partisan reporting office is specifically commissioned by the Congress to report on spending by the Congress. The GAO answers to the leadership of Congress which at present holds a Democratic majority. This is also the office which regularly shows billions of dollars in earmarks as necessary spending while never holding any member of Congress accountable for such spending. According to the GAO 11 of the 18 benchmarks set by Congress for Iraq have not been met. And, true to form Congress, in assessing such benchmarks, has opted to assessing these benchmarks with either a complete passing or failing grade rather than reporting the progress on benchmarks that have not been fully completed. Of course were this same type of assessment applied to Congress, the result would be complete failure since Congress makes it a habit of either partially completing anything they set out to do or by the time a bill is passed it bears no resemblance to the initial piece of legislation when it was originally proposed.

The next group reporting to Congress was this "independent" group which boasted as its members retired Generals and several other higher ranking diplomats who supposedly visited Iraq and studied the country and the progress or in this case lack thereof. Naturally, the irony is that this " independent" group was commissioned by Congressional Democrats which begs the question of whom was giving the marching orders concerning what they were to find and how it would be presented to Congress.

Now as a result Democrat leaders like Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are stepping forward prior to the Patreaus report with the usual fanfare and opposition rhetoric. Reid even used the latest video from Osama bin Laden as proof that Iraq has detracted from the War on Terror. Reid states that because of the Presidents move into Iraq, "It is bin Laden who has used the breathing room created by the war in Iraq to regroup, re-tool, and recruit."

Yet the words of bin Laden seem to refute the claims of Hapless Harry since bin Laden in his video actually condemns Democrats for not being able to do enough to force the United States out of Iraq. It would seem to me that if Iraq were such a significant recruiting tool and aid to Al Qaeda operations as Reid contends then why would bin Laden chastise Democrats in their failure of trying to pull out of Iraq? By Senator Reid’s assumptions, logic would dictate that Bin Laden would desire American forces stay for as long as possible were it seen as aiding his cause. This clouded thinking is proof positive of their inability and incapability on matters of National Security.

And yet, the largess of Congressional Democrats are poised on attacking General Patraeus and his report in declaring that General Patraeus basically will deliver a report that follows what the Bush administration has dictated and that he will be nothing but a political puppet for the President's position. But, in doing so, they are questioning the honesty and integrity of one of America’s finest military leaders and one who was lauded as an honest replacement to General Casey. Such an accusation by Democrats questions the Generals motives and his concern and command ability for his troops. But, bear in mind, the General's report is not only a report to Congress on progress in Iraq but also an assessment for the Commander in Chief as well as the Command structure in Iraq which decides how military operations will proceed and the strategy and movement of troops which are in harms way. General Patraeus must make assessments as to how operations are progressing and also the political status of the situation that he finds the troops under his command in. He then reports this to the Commander in Chief and both along with the Command structure in the theatre and the Pentagon decide where to improve and what necessary changes, if any, are needed to garner further success and protect our troops as best as possible.

To accuse General Patraeus of political partisanship in his report as well as biasing a report that determines operations that hold the lives of soldiers under his command in the balance is insulting the leadership abilities of an excellent General and accusing him of using our men and women in uniform for political advantage. It is unfair to suspect General Patraeus, as a theatre Commander, would contrive a report in order to adhere to any political situation in this country. His duty to his soldiers and his country is to prepare a report with the best available information; one that will assess progress in an effort to achieve victory as the goal. This is the report that the General has prepared and given to Congress. The Democrats on the other hand have had their response to the report prepared for quite some time. As a matter of fact their response to the report was prepared several months ago when it was announced General Patraeus would be reporting to Congress.

I don’t suppose it’s wrong for me to wonder why the Democratic leadership, given their apparent superhero ability to assess Iraqi progress months in advance from their cozy offices in Washington, failed to exercise the same ability in March of 2003.