There is only so much that can be repeated as to the partianship in Washington, but I have actually been ashamed of those on the left who have rabidly attacked a man they voted to place in Command of the Multinational Forces in Iraq.

I believe after reading this, Senator McConnell has had about enough also.

About General Petraeus:

He’s proven his devotion to this country. His integrity is above reproach. And any suggestion to the contrary is totally absurd and demonstrably untrue.

“And so I resent the comments of those who have sat comfortably in their air-conditioned offices, thousands of miles away from the firefights and the roadside bombs, and tried their Washington best in recent days to impugn the general’s good name.

“The Democratic Majority sent him into battle by a unanimous vote, funded his mission, and asked him to report back on progress. And when he returns, is he greeted with the respect and appreciation his service deserves? No. He’s attacked again, at home, by some of the very Democratic senators who confirmed him.

“They’re following the lead of the left-wing groups that placed a full-page ad in today’s New York Times, questioning the character of a four-star general who has the respect and admiration of the more than 150,000 brave men and women serving under his command. These childish tactics are an insult to everyone fighting for our freedom in Iraq, and they should be condemned.

“Republicans have tried to maintain a level of civility in this debate. We’ve let most of the rhetorical excesses of the other side slide, knowing that tempers are bound to flare in this charged environment. But the effort to discredit General Petraeus personally over the past few days is completely and totally out of bounds. It needs to be recognized as such, and it needs to end — right now.

“The early effort to undermine his mission was troubling enough. Scarcely had a fraction of the additional soldiers or Marines landed in Iraq before we started hearing the voices of defeat. Amazingly, some Democrats who had called for a surge before January, would then label the policy a failure two full months before it fully began. Others said the war was lost even as these soldiers and Marines were being sent into battle.

This is just a small portion of the entire speech the Senator delivered this morning. Please read it all. It is only my hope that others on the Right will stand to defend this Commander as Senator McConnell has.

Update: Also check out this piece by Colonel Repya at Captains Quarters. Below is the final paragraph of his post.

This week our enemies gleefully will watch this public display of political theater unfold, complete with repeated partisan attacks on a good and honorable man. General Petraeus is an impeccably honest leader and soldier, a man who has dedicated his life to the service of this great nation in time of war and peace. His family has suffered the same long and painful separations all military families have endured. Yet Senate Democrats have already questioned his honesty and others will attempt to shed him of his dignity. Meanwhile, their accomplices in the media will attempt to raise questions as to the accuracy and validity of his report and testimony. This is the shameful state of American politics today. For General Petraeus and the men and women in our military that he represents to be subjected to this circus during wartime is beyond the pale of human decency. Is there any wonder when polled that the American people claim so little faith in our Congress?

Well said sir.

Update 2: Courtesy of a link from Politico, here is a transcript of General Petraeus’s remarks this morning before House committees. This is followed by a link to the opening statement of Ambassador Crocker.