This appeared in the New York Times:
Reaction to the ad has been swift:
Iraq Veteran First Lt. Pete Hegseth:
“It really troubles me and troubles veterans everywhere to hear that this group is slandering General Petraeus the day that he’s coming to report to our Congress”…Rep. John Boehner:
“MoveOn.org is essentially saying that that the entire military establishment is a bunch of liars and they’re trying to betray the country” …
Democrats are “attacking the messenger because they don’t like the message … There are a number of Democratic senators in Congress that are invested in defeat, they are invested in the fact that things must get worse in Iraq . We as veterans of the Iraq war are calling on members of Congress to denounce this MoveOn ad, to denounce the fact that they have called our commander in the field a traitor. It’s absolutely despicable.”
“Democratic leaders must make a choice today: either embrace the character assassination tactics Moveon.org has leveled against the four-star general leading our troops in the fight against al Qaeda, or denounce it as disgraceful. General Petraeus and the other commanders in the U.S. Armed Services have dedicated their lives to defending the very freedom that enables Moveon.org the right to free speech. I support that right, but I find the way they have chosen to exercise it today to be disrespectful and downright reprehensible.This ad is horrible and an outrage. There is room for dissent in this country, but these liberals have gone off the deepend and slandered a real American patriot. I am disgusted by this ad beyond words...Democrats ought to denounce the ad and MoveOn.org, but most won't...because this is who they really are.
“There is room for honest disagreement over how to proceed in our fight against al Qaeda and to bring stability and security to Iraq, but this cheap and shameful attack has no place in this debate. I urge everyone – Republicans and Democrats alike – to condemn this advertisement and those who funded and placed it. And I call on my colleagues to listen to what General Petraeus has to say. He’s earned it.”
UPDATE: Zack Space's staff failed the test...
UPDATE 2: A few Democrats speak out... (This is CNN...)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressed frustration Monday with the ad.
When asked early Monday if this was the right message for his party to send, the Nevada Democrat curtly answered, "No."
In a separate conversation, a senior Democratic leadership aide called the ad an "unnecessary distraction" and said Democrats are prepared to focus on "Petraeus executing a mismanaged mission."
...
Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Connecticut, also called on the Democratic leadership to "denounce Moveon.org attack on Gen. Petraeus." Lieberman has been supportive of President Bush's efforts in Iraq.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, called the ad "over the top."
"I don't like any kind of characterizations in our politics that call into question any active duty, distinguished general who I think under any circumstances serves with the best interests of our country," said Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate and a decorated veteran.
"I think there are a lot of legitimate questions that need to be asked, a lot of probing that ought to take place; there's a lot of legitimate accountability that needs to be achieved. It ought to be done without casting any aspersions on anyone's character or motives," he added.
