Democrats to Challenge Plans to Finish Border Fence. Let me be frank…this lawsuit is WRONG. However, it will also go nowhere. DHS should begin contructing the fence immediately in the waiver areas. If a federal judge in the 9th Circus decides to intervene, then Congress must look to take action. In the meantime, I will continue to press DHS to contstruct the fence and show the American people the progress.

The runup to General Petraeus’ testimony continues.  I thought you all might like to read a wonderful article in the Weekly Standard this morning about the latest round of fighting in Iraq.

The ISF (Iraqi Security Forces) mobilized more than 30,000 troops for the fight, including thousands drawn from outside of Basra. While it did use some coalition transport, it also employed its own aircraft for the movement, which went relatively smoothly. Again we might recall that a key benchmark in 2007 was the deployment of three Iraqi army brigades (perhaps 9,000 soldiers) to support the Baghdad Security Plan. The ISF just deployed more than three times that number on short notice to fight without coalition ground forces in support…

The most important fact about the recent operations has escaped most observers, however. The government of Iraq, that group of “Persian ex-pats” as many Iraqis and some Americans call them, went to war against the illegal Shia militias which are thoroughly infiltrated, supported, advised, trained, and led by Iran and its agents. When it ran into trouble, the government called for American support and then began to engage with its own local tribesmen, who eagerly volunteered to support the fight against the foreigners.

Iraq has already demonstrated that it is by far the most serious and determined ally the United States has in the war against al Qaeda by deploying more forces and taking more casualties in that struggle than any other state. After several years in which Americans feared that the Shia government would attempt to triangulate between Iran and the United States without taking sides, the Iraqi leadership has made its choice clear. It chose America. What will we choose?

After reading the article above, please take time to read this one. 

Consumer groups and advocates recently sent a series of letters to the editor of the Wall Street Journal defending the legislation I have introduced to introduce competition into the credit card industry and save families hundreds in unknown fees every year.

UPDATE: Jack Kelly, writing on RCP, pretty much sums up the salient question about the latest round of fighting in Basra.  “It is rare in the annals of war for the side which is winning to seek a cease fire.”

Yet, as the Salt Lake Tribune has pointed out, many in the press have declared the Basra operation a loss for al-Maliki.

As the deafening silence from many in the press continues due to the success of General Petraeus and the “surge” it is not surprising that a tough battle is immediately declared a loss.  After all, only this Speaker of the House would warn the commanding General on the ground to shape his upcoming testimony in a way that would continue the “defeat” narrative.

But if, as many in the press say, Muqtada Sadr has “won” this round, then why are Iraqi forces in control of Basra and Najaf…and why does the AP, not exactly the National Review or Redstate, write this headline a mere 8 hours ago: “Iraq: Sadr Party Faces Rising Isolation.”

Iraq’s major Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties have closed ranks to force anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to disband his Mahdi Army militia or leave politics, lawmakers and officials involved in the effort said Sunday.

Al-Rubaie said the threat was so serious that a delegation might have to discuss the issue with al-Sadr in person. The young cleric, who has disappeared from the public eye for nearly a year, is believed to be in the Iranian holy city of Qom.

In a rare public signal of dissent in Sadrist ranks, al-Rubaie complained that “those close” to al-Sadr “are radicals and that poses problems,” suggesting that some of the cleric’s confidants may be urging him toward a showdown.

I guess if Al-Sadr’s goal was isolation, marginalization, and military defeat, then yes, he has “won”.

God Bless our Troops and their mission.

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In anticipation of General Petraeus coming back to Capitol Hill for a progress report, I thought I would post one of the latest videos out of Multi-National Force - Iraq. Contrary to what the MSM would have you believe, Muqtada Al-Sadr (who is hiding in Iran) and his Mehdi Army were soundly defeated in Basra and Najaf in the last few weeks by American forces AND a majority of Iraqi forces. In the video below, most of the forces taking part, from my understanding, are Iraqi. It is a reminder that this war is more than success or failure in Iraq. It is about sending a message to Iran, Al Qaeda, and others that we are not the paper tiger they claim.

With re-enlistment rates amongst combat units going up every year , it shows that the men who fight believe in what they are doing because they see it first hand.

God Bless Them

(Video courtesy of Blackfive)

My apologies for the general lack of blogging on the campaign site.  That will change.  (I know many of you are saying I should have the time since Nancy Pelosi is not getting anything done in Congress…point well taken)