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War Has New Symbol: Petraeus

Posted Sep 13, 07 10:46 AM CDT in Politics,  US 

(Newser) – Once untarnishable, David Petraeus is being transformed into a political figure on both sides of the aisle. Supporters of the US Iraq strategy continue to paint him as a savior, while critics compare him to Westmoreland. "Up until this week, it was Rumsfeld's war," a retired lieutenant colonel tells the Washington Post. "Now, for better or worse, it's Dave's war."

Petraeus' appearances before Congress this week crystallized his evolving role. He's come in for heavy criticism by antiwar activists, although most Democratic politicians are trying to shift focus away from the general and concentrate on the administration. "We needed to stay away from General Petraeus and focus on making this Bush's war," says a Democratic Senate aide.

Source Washington Post

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Gen. David Petraeus speak during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)   (Associated Press)
Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid of Nev., right, accompanied by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., left, gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington,...   (Associated Press)
Charts are on display for the members of the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing during the opening statement of Gen. David Petraeus on the future course of the war in Iraq, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007....   (Associated Press)
Gen. David Petraeus testifies on the future course of the war in Iraq, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington as Ambassador Ryan Crocker listens...   (Associated Press)
Gen. David Petraeus testifies on the future course of the war in Iraq, while appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq war  • Congress  • Bush administration  • Democrats  • David Petraeus  • troop surge  • Donald Rumsfeld


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