Dem Leader Admits That al Qaeda is a "Very Significant Presence" in Iraq

Via email:

The House is set to vote on the Democrats' surrender bill tonight. All along, Democrats have based their support for retreating from the Global War on Terror almost entirely on their belief that there is no al Qaeda presence in Iraq. In fact, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), one of the principal architects of the slow-bleed strategy to choke off funding for our troops and force a withdrawal, has said there is "No al Qaeda connection" in Iraq.

In a statement just released by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), you'd think he agrees with Murtha. In it he says Republicans are being "disingenuous" for wanting to give our troops the resources needed to fight al Qaeda:

"The Administration and Congressional Republicans now disingenuously claim that the fight in Iraq is primarily against Al Qaeda."

But at a press conference following the briefing by General Petraeus that was inexplicably skipped by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Hoyer suddenly acknowledged that - yes - al Qaeda does in fact have a "very significant presence" in Iraq. Hoyer said:

"Al Qaeda is obviously a very significant presence at this point in time." (AUDIO)

In his briefing today, General Petraeus discussed with lawmakers the progress American troops are making in rallying local forces to join the fight against al Qaeda. In his press conference following the briefings with the House and Senate, Petraeus elaborated:

"I also pointed out the progress in Anbar province which has been substantial. As you know, literally over the last two months, Anbar has gone - or certainly over the last six months - from being assessed as being lost to a situation that now is quite heartening because of the decision by a number of Sunni Arab tribes to join the fight against Al Qaida, saying 'No more, they've had it' and linking arms with the coalition to take on Al Qaida in one city after another..."

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) reported on the briefing with General Petraeus, acknowledging - as did Mr. Hoyer in his remarks - the fight we face with al Qaeda in Iraq:

"When you look at the challenges we're facing -- al Qaeda, [General Petraeus] made clear, continues to make [ Iraq ] the central front in their war with us. And I would remind everyone that we didn't start this war with al Qaeda -- they started it." (AUDIO)

If al Qaeda has a "very significant presence" in Iraq , as Hoyer said and Petraeus confirmed, why are Democrats undermining our generals and handcuffing our troops doing battle with al Qaeda terrorists?

Once the President vetoes Democrats' surrender bill, Congress should immediately move to pass a clean troop funding bill that gives our soldiers the resources they need to succeed in the Global War on Terror.