With a friend like Harry Reid, you really do not need many enemies:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., defended Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman on Wednesday after the former Democratic vice presidential nominee accepted a speaking slot at next month’s Republican convention in Minnesota.

“He has a close personal relationship with John McCain. I don’t fully understand why he does,” said Reid, who said Lieberman called Tuesday from the Republic of Georgia to alert him to the move.

“I told him last night, ‘You know, Joe, I can’t stand John McCain.’ He said, ‘I know you feel that way,’ ” Reid said.

But Reid said he would continue to resist calls from the Democratic Party’s base to strip Lieberman, now an independent, of his Senate positions for his disloyalty.

“All my close votes, he’s always with me, whether it’s the budget or energy issues,” Reid said. “No matter what it is, he’s always with us. He just does not vote right on Iraq. … Why would I want to throw away a good vote?”

(emphasis -mine)

Sure you support Senator Lieberman’s decision Mr. Reid. Plus, you show so much class in making public the fact that you “can’t stand” a fellow Senator, let alone a presidential candidate.

It is also clear the Majority leader will attempt to protect Senator Lieberman’s committee assignments only because he votes with him the majority of the time.

Does anyone believe that should the Democrats gain a veto proof majority in the Senate that Mr. Reid would not immediately throw Senator Lieberman under the bus?

We’ve seen many a majority leader come and go but Senator Reid has shown himself to be one of the rudest and most classless of all.

Senator Lieberman, much like President Bush is a man I admire for his courage to follow his convictions even in the face of abandonment of his party.

Once again the Senator delivers remarks to Generals Petraeus and Odierno which only serve to reinforce my feeling toward him as an American first, Senator second:

The Senator’s remarks coupled with this encouraging post at Mudville Gazette offer hope that we are now moving in the right direction in Iraq.

I can think of nothing more appropriate as we head into this Memorial Day weekend than to shed a positive light on those who serve her so selflessly:

The story points out that Iraqi forces are now leading operations in Basra, Mosul and Sadr City, making progress with relatively little American support.

“This is unprecedented: three major Iraqi-led operations in three different parts of the country.”

And…

Last week, the overall level of attacks in Iraq was at the lowest point since April, 2004. So far in May, the U.S. death rate is the lowest of the war.

And…

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s political position has never been stronger, he currently has the backing of Sunnis, Kurds and moderate Shiites. As a result, Moqtada al-Sadr’s party is politically isolated.

And…

The speaker of the Iraqi parliament [a Sunni] wrote a heartfelt letter to President Bush, thanking the U.S. for sending the “best politicians and military commanders” to Iraq.

Greyhawk has linked the ABC News story referenced above. It speaks volumes.

As has become the norm, Senator Lieberman knocks one out of the park with this speech.

It is rather lengthy therefore finding one excerpt which should stand alone would be difficult.

One of those must reads..I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

HT: Blogs for Bush

Senator Joe Lieberman pens an excellent piece published today at NRO.

Today we remember those who lost their lives on that horrible day six years ago. We also honor the sacrifices of Americans in uniform who have bravely fought in the war that began on September 11, 2001.

The fact is that all freedom-loving people throughout the world are engaged in a struggle against the barbarism of Islamist extremism. This is not a battle between civilizations, but rather a battle for civilization.

The cause which we are fighting for is not a Republican cause or a Democratic cause. Our cause is the cause of defending liberty and freedom against a totalitarian movement that is the evil heir to the twin totalitarian threats of the 20th century. Islamist extremism, like fascism and communism, seeks to eliminate all of the ideals that free peoples cherish.

Just as during the World War II and the Cold War, our challenge today, is not to relent in this fight for liberty. And the central front in this war today is Iraq. You cannot be serious and strong in defeating those who attacked us on 9/11 if you counsel retreat in Iraq.

To pull the plug on progress in Iraq would hand our two most dangerous enemies in the world — al Qaeda and Iran — an extraordinary military and strategic victory. These are fateful days and critical decisions we are making about Iraq. We must make them with our eye on the safety of America’s next generation. It is to the credit of President Bush that he has done that in the war against Islamist extremism. He has shown the courage and steadfastness to stand against the political passions of the moment.

Indeed Senator, indeed.

Respect for any politician on either side of the aisle is becoming increasingly difficult as Washington shows itself to be so partisan and repetitive that those of us on the outside could probably write their dialogue for them.

But in the midst of all the in fighting, name calling and kindergarten atmosphere there is a man whom I have admired for many years. It made no difference to me that he was a Democrat, he was a man of conviction and faith and even when his own party betrayed him he stood tall and came back a winner.

This man is Joseph Lieberman. Some might say, well you like him because he stands on the side of the President in regards to the Iraq war..they would probably be right but that is certainly not the only reason this gentleman would have my vote in a second if he were to run for President. He is believeable..plain and simple.

When I read this article from today’s Opinion Journal, I was once again touched by the sincerity and frankness of the good Senator. You see, I for one find no rhetoric or politics in what he has written and while it is his opinion based on what he has seen or heard, it restores my faith that with reasoned thinking we can see this war through to completion with success.

I recently returned from Iraq and four other countries in the Middle East, my first trip to the region since December. In the intervening five months, almost everything about the American war effort in Baghdad has changed, with a new coalition military commander, Gen. David Petraeus; a new U.S. ambassador, Ryan Crocker; the introduction, at last, of new troops; and most important of all, a bold, new counterinsurgency strategy.

The question of course is–is it working? Here in Washington, advocates of retreat insist with absolute certainty that it is not, seizing upon every suicide bombing and American casualty as proof positive that the U.S. has failed in Iraq, and that it is time to get out.

In Baghdad, however, discussions with the talented Americans responsible for leading this fight are more balanced, more hopeful and, above all, more strategic in their focus–fixated not just on the headline or loss of the day, but on the larger stakes in this struggle, beginning with who our enemies are in Iraq. The officials I met in Baghdad said that 90% of suicide bombings in Iraq today are the work of non-Iraqi, al Qaeda terrorists. In fact, al Qaeda’s leaders have repeatedly said that Iraq is the central front of their global war against us. That is why it is nonsensical for anyone to claim that the war in Iraq can be separated from the war against al Qaeda–and why a U.S. pullout, under fire, would represent an epic victory for al Qaeda, as significant as their attacks on 9/11.

It is a bit of a lengthly read, but I leave you with Senator Liebermans closing paragraph.

And I conclude from my visit that victory is still possible in Iraq–thanks to the Iraqi majority that desperately wants a better life, and because of the courage, compassion and competence of the extraordinary soldiers and statesmen who are carrying the fight there, starting with Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker. The question now is, will we politicians in Washington rise to match their leadership, sacrifices and understanding of what is on the line for us in Iraq–or will we betray them, and along with them, America’s future security?

Thank you Senator Lieberman for this:

Last week a series of coordinated suicide bombings killed more than 170 people. The victims were not soldiers or government officials but civilians — innocent men, women and children indiscriminately murdered on their way home from work and school.

If such an atrocity had been perpetrated in the United States, Europe or Israel, our response would surely have been anger at the fanatics responsible and resolve not to surrender to their barbarism.

The Senator goes on to explain in calm, coherent terms why we must complete our mission in Iraq. Whether you agree or disagree with his assessment, it is clear the Senator has the ability to set politics aside for the good of our country.

Update: The Senator speaks today on the Senate Floor.