Petraeus Report: If You Don't Like the Message, Shoot the Messenger

With the coming report on the progress in Iraq due next week, and rumors that the report will carry some significant positive news, Democrats are gearing up the smear machine on Gen. David Petraeus, a man they overwhelmingly confirmed into his position less than a year ago. Writes Ed Morrissey of the effort:

If anyone wants a lesson in how to lose a reputation for diligence, honor, and honesty, all they need to do is get confirmed by Congress for a vital role in American security. Eight months after the Senate confirmed David Petraeus as commander of American forces in Iraq, the same Senators who voted for his confirmation have now begun a character-assassination campaign to discredit him. (link in original)

Here is the lead paragraph of the Washington Times story Morrissey points to:

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.

Three weeks ago, everyone in Washington was waiting and wondering what the Petraeus report would contain. Now, Congressional leaders are referring to the report as teh Bush report instead of the Petraeus report or the Petraeus/Crocker report.

Morrissey concludes:

Which is more likely -- that a career commander would deliberately lie about events in Iraq that already have garnered plenty of independent evidence for success, or that Dick Durbin and Harry Reid would smear the military for their own political gain?

The track record appears clear.