Mission Accomplished?

As everywhere else in the media (hopefully), especially the blogosphere, is noting, today is the fourth anniversary of George W. Bush standing in front of a banner claiming "Mission Accomplished" and telling us that major combat operations in Iraq have ended. That was four years ago. Think Progress offers a concise round-up of grim statistics - both as of May 1, 2003, and as of now. Beyond the fatalities and injuries, the saddest statistics perhaps is that average "Insurgent Attacks Per Day" went from 8 on 5/1/03 to just under 150 today. The DSCC also offers a collection of quotations from the last couple years, many from the last few months, given by Republicans Senators suffering from a frightening disconnect from reality on Iraq. The NRSC website makes no mention of this being the fourth anniversary of Bush's proclamation that major combat ops have ended.

New Mexico: NM-FBIHOP takes a deeper look at Domenici's plunging approval numbers, and SSP has a pretty chart.

Kentucky: Ditch Mitch KY sees the Louisville Courier-Journal lambasting Mitch McConnell in an editorial entitled "Shhhh. Money at work."

Last week in the U.S. Senate, Kentucky looked double ugly.

Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning combined efforts to block passage, by unanimous consent, of S.223, which would promote up-front politics by requiring that senators file their campaign finance reports electronically. That way voters could get the information they need more quickly and more easily. ...

Not content with sticking his finger in the eyes of Kentuckians who scorn his slavish support for George W. Bush and the occupation of Iraq, Sen. McConnell seems to think he also can flout his own long-espoused political principles with no fear of voter retribution. ...

What's clear, once again, is that Sen. McConnell says one thing and does another. He makes not only Kentucky but the Senate itself look bad.

Continued press like this should help McConnell's poll numbers continue to sag; and it should hopefully motivate Kentucky voters to hold McConnell accountable.

Alabama: A new blog has blossomed this Spring to encourage Commissioner Ron Sparks to enter the Senate race against Bush rubber-stamp Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III: Blue Sparks in Alabama. There certainly is a dire need for someone in the Senate with Sparks' expertise. So do check it out! (H/T: Sack Sessions)