McCain's got the general's back

Sen. John McCain was the only Republican presidential contender to make his way West this weekend to address the fall convention of the California Republican Party -- a development that didn't sit well with party faithful who thought an early primary would draw more of a focus on the state. Here's the story on this website and in Sunday's print editions.

McCain focused his speech on the war in Iraq, anticipating the status report due to Congress this week. McCain has made no secret that he thinks the U.S. needs to remain in Iraq until it's stabilized, and that he realizes his position conflicts with those of most voters responding to national polls. That's the price of standing on principle, he said.

But in a chat with reporters after the speech, McCain delivered a short lecture to Democrats who have predicted Gen. David W. Petraeus' report will have the White House's fingerprints on it.

"I'm deeply disappointed in my Democrat colleagues who are questioning the integrity and the objectivity of Gen. Petraeus. This is a man who served his country, wounded in three wars, who has served his country his entire life, and now people are accusing him of not telling the truth to the American people. I urge my Democrat colleagues, if they want to oppose the war, fine, but don't disparage the character of this good and decent American."

Remember, this is a report no one has even heard yet.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Charles Wilson]

'scuse me, but who do you think you're kidding? Petraeus's report has been leaked all over the place. And he's even going on FauxNews for an hour to discuss it. He's not a general, he's a right-wing politician. It's really dangerous when a democracy grants this much deference to someone just because he's a military officer.