Once again the loyal opposition chose to ignore the facts on the ground because it does not match their 3 year old narrative of defeat. General Petraeus was again magnificent and clear about the realities of the progress that has been made to date, the obstacles to be overcome, and the consequences of pulling out – i.e., creating defeat from victory. Just watching career politicians who should have retired long ago reinforces why I am running for Congress. We need regular folks who will bring common sense to the proceedings.

There is now study out done by two researchers at Harvard that shows when bad news and criticism of the War in Iraq hits our news, the amount of violence goes up as our very savvy enemy seeks to win the PR war over here as the only way to achieve victory over there. It is irresponsible for our political leaders to keep endangering our troops, Iraqi forces, and innocent civilians to win a political power struggle here. No matter the prize our career politicians seek when seeking our defeat, no reward is worth their undermining of the sacrifice we all have had to bear to win the freedom of an entire country from decades of a brutal dictatorship and for us to have a stabilizing presence in the region.

That sacrifice falls with the most weight on our soldiers and their loved ones. We must honor their giving of all by completing the mission successfully. If we achieve anything less due to the machinations of politicians in Washington, then they are spitting on those troops and their families as surely as they did when our Vietnam Vets returned home having earned honor but given spite.

Politics must change. We are the change.