Wednesday Night Round-Up

West Virginia: With Shelley Moore Capito taking a pass on a Senate bid, Republicans are now looking to GOP Secretary of State Betty Ireland and multiple-time-loser John Raese to take on popular Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller. In 2004, Ireland squeaked to a 52-48 victory; and, in 2006, Raese lost to Senator Robert Byrd by a 64-34 thrashing. Not exactly rainmakers on the WV-GOP bench.

Georgia: "Shameless" Saxby Chambliss proclaims that conditions in Iraq are "truly amazing." Of course, in Chambliss' addled mind, the mission really was accomplished four years ago. It disheartens me that someone of Chambliss' weak character and utter cowardice is a United States Senator.

Minnesota: It seems like there are few things Republicans enjoy more than taking contributions from criminals. Will Norm Coleman return the thousands he has taken from VECO executives who recently pled guilty to bribery?

Republicans say that they take their cues on Iraq from military leaders. Well, Vote Vets will be giving them an earful [emphasis added by me]:

VoteVets.org is today launching a three-ad series featuring three retired generals, two of whom were George Bush's commanders on the ground. In the first ad, retired Major General John Batiste takes the President on, directly, when he says that he's just 'listening to commanders on the ground' in Iraq. Batiste should know if the President is listening or not, since he was one of those commanders!

Our ads are airing in states and districts of those Members of Congress who are very close to breaking with the President on Iraq, and joining the troops and American people. They are: Senators Susan Collins, John Sununu, John Warner, and Norm Coleman, and Representatives Mary Bono, Phil English, Randy Kuhl, Jim Walsh, Heather Wilson, Jo Ann Emerson, Tim Johnson, Mike Rogers, Fred Upton, and Mike Castle. Mentioning them by name at the end, the local spots will call on them to "Protect America, Not George Bush."

Vote Vets, the Guru salutes you and thanks you for your service! Let's hope these Republicans for once live up to their claim and listen to these military leaders.