Unlike Harkin, who lied about his own military service and then had the nerve to vote against the man who saved our bacon in Iraq.

Some people are shameless. And most of them are in Congress.

New York Times
July 11, 2008
Pg. 9

Petraeus Wins Confirmation For New Post

By David M. Herszenhorn

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday confirmed Gen. David H. Petraeus of the United States Army as commanding officer of the Central Command, the military headquarters responsible for Iraq and Afghanistan, among other areas of operation.

The Senate also approved the nomination of Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno to replace General Petraeus as the top military commander in Iraq.

A date for the change in command has not yet been set, a Pentagon spokesman said.

The vote for General Petraeus was 95 to 2, with only Senator Tom Harkin, Democrat of Iowa, and Senator Robert C. Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, voting against his nomination. The vote for General Odierno was 95 to 1, with only Mr. Harkin opposed.

In his new position, General Petraeus will take on vast geographical responsibilities across North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

He will face numerous challenges, including the tension with Iran over its nuclear program, a resurgence of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and the tribal regions of Pakistan, and mounting demands by the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, for a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops.

President Bush nominated General Petraeus to replace Adm. William J. Fallon, who retired in March after public comments that seemed to suggest differences with the White House.

An aide to Mr. Harkin said he opposed both nominations “because he does not believe that either General Petraeus or General Odierno will take us in the direction we need in Iraq, namely setting a timetable for redeployment of U.S. forces.” Mr. Harkin also views General Petraeus “as an unapologetic supporter of this misguided war in Iraq, continually toeing the administration’s party line” the aide, Jennifer Mullin, said.

Senator Byrd, the longest-serving member of the Senate, said he opposed the nomination of General Petraeus to the Central Command because he saw a need for continuity of leadership on the ground in Iraq. Mr. Byrd also complained that the general had been reluctant to answer questions during his hearing about areas other than Iraq, including Afghanistan and Iran.

“The book is still out on the success or failure of the surge strategy” Mr. Byrd said in a statement. “General Petraeus should bring it to its conclusion before he is rewarded with a promotion.”

Iowans should be so proud of their Senator. Could it be anymore obvious that Harkin is trying to get that Veep spot??? At least with Byrd there is some form of logic, alittle on the misguided side, but at least it is there. – Lorica

Right Wing News emailed more than 240 right-of-center bloggers and asked them about their least favorite elected Republicans. The following 42 blogs responded, The Absurd Report, The Anchoress, Argghhhh!, Bad Example, Betsy’s Page, BizzyBlog, Bluey Bl…

Regarding the Wisconsin necrophilia case, disgusting as the offense is, I think I have to side with the minority in the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision, based solely on what I read in the linked article. I sounds like the court majority was bending the intent of the law to reach a policy goal, something a judicial conservative should oppose, no matter how disgusting the crime.

What surprised me as much, however, was learning that my state, California, only outlawed necrophilia in 2004! And that only roughly 20 states have specific laws against it. You’d think this is something that would go in automatically when a state’s admitted, on the standard list of Things To Make Illegal(tm) for new states. Weird.