Reid insults the generals

Politico:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "incompetent" during an interview Tuesday with a group of liberal bloggers, a comment that was never reported.

Reid made similar disparaging remarks about Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said several sources familiar with the interview.

This is but the latest example of how Reid, under pressure from liberal activists to do more to stop the war, is going on the attack against President Bush and his military leaders in anticipation of a September showdown to end U.S. involvement in Iraq, according to Democratic senators and aides.

Reid, who was bashed by Republicans for suggesting earlier this year that the Iraq war was "lost," is lashing out at top commanders while putting the finishing touches on a plan to force a series of votes on Iraq designed exclusively to make Republicans up for reelection in 2008 go on record in favor of continuing an unpopular war.

Reid, the senators and aides said, does not expect any of the Iraq measures to pass but hopes the effort will drive a deep enough wedge between wavering Republicans and Bush that, by September, Republican senators will break with the president and help end the war.

"We want them to vote and vote and vote again" on Iraq, said a senior Democratic senator, speaking on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss party strategy. "They are going to have to vote on Iraq until they are sick of it."

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Of course he is putting his caucus on record as favoring defeat in the war. That too will become an issue in the 2008 election. In 2006 the Democrats avoided the charges of favoring cut and run by talking about change. When they got change, the decided they really wanted cut and run and now they insult our military leaders who are trying to win. Reid is a disgrace and so are the people he is taking his marching orders from.

Captain Ed comments on Reid's competence or lack thereof.

Confederate Yankee says Reid's comments may have violated a federal statute.

Patrick Poole discusses Reid and Pelosi's attempt at preemptive defeat.