Democrats demonstrate preemptive bad faith on Iraq report

Washington Times:

Congressional Democrats are trying to undermine U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus' credibility before he delivers a report on the Iraq war next week, saying the general is a mouthpiece for President Bush and his findings can't be trusted.

"The Bush report?" Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin said when asked about the upcoming report from Gen. Petraeus, U.S. commander in Iraq.

"We know what is going to be in it. It's clear. I think the president's trip over to Iraq makes it very obvious," the Illinois Democrat said. "I expect the Bush report to say, 'The surge is working. Let's have more of the same.' "

The top Democrats — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California — also referred to the general's briefing as the "Bush report."

Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Gen. Petraeus' report was potentially compromised by the White House's involvement in drafting it.

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The bad faith in this statement is particularly egregious because Congress required the White House to be responsible for the report. It is also disingenious to attack the General of US forces in the Iraq war as dishonest. Democrats are the first to react to criticism that they perceive to be a challenge to their patriotism, but have little compunction about leveling charges suggesting that the commander of our troops is dishonest. They should be ashamed, if they were capable of such feelings. This is just more of their politicizing the war when they get news that runs counter to their desire for defeat.

W. Thomas Smith also comments on the Democrats' prejudice.