Rep Tammy Baldwin defending Moveon.org's attack on Gen. Petraeus BEFORE he testified

Tammy Baldwin with one of her special interest groups

This is an excerpt from a letter from Wis. Rep Tammy Baldwin sent to "Mrs. J" in Wisconsin when she asked why Baldwin did not condemn Moveon.org for attacking war hero four star Gen. Petraeus even before he testified before congress on the progress of the "surge" in Iraq. Mrs. J's real identity has been removed, but the letter is real.

Mrs. J. , (name, address deleted by me) Wisconsin

Dear Mrs. J,

Thank you for contacting me about the advertisement that MoveOn.org placed in The New York Times regarding General David Petraeus.

As you are aware, in September, on the day that General Petraeus appeared before Congress to testify on the war and Iraq and war against rapid redeployment of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, MoveOn.org placed a full-page advertisement in The New York Times with the headline "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?"

The advertisement stated that Gen. Petraeus was "constantly at war with the facts," and drew widespread criticism from Congressional Republicans and some Democrats. The Senate passed a resolution condemning personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus on September 20, 2007, and the House followed suit on September 26, 2007 when a measure to recommit was offered to H.J.Res. 52, a resolution making continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 2008.

The motion to recommit both recognized the service of General Petraeus and condemed "in the strongest possible terms the personal attacks made by the advocacy group MoveOn.org impugning the integrity and professionalism of General David H.Petraeus."

I voted against this measure, which passed the House by a vote of 341 to 79. I opposed the measure to recommit because I believe that it too closely impinged on each individual's and organization's constitutionally-granted First Amendment right to free speech. (bold added)

Additionally, at a time when the United States is engaged in a war with seemingly no end in sight, which is exacerbating the terrorist threat against our nation, and at a time when the government has failed to pass appropriations bills to fund vital federal and international programs through both Houses of Congress, measures like the motion to recommit represent and improper an non- productive use of time.

In other words spending money is more important than respecting a soldier who has put his life on the line for her freedom to embrace the hatemongers and their web site funded by Geo. Soros- besides Soros gives her lots of money too.

HMMM...How did she vote on Harry Reid's bill of condemnation of Rush Limbaugh for pointing out the "False Soldier" was just that- a guy pretending to be a soldier who never made it through basic training?

Explain please how killing off, jailing and neutralizing terrorist in Iraq is

"exacerbating the terrorist threat to our nation"?

The first opportunity to actually vote to bring the troops home now in Congress was Nov. 19, 2005 offered by Rep John Murtha. Both Baldwin and Murtha voted against it.

Baldwin owns the distinction of being one of the least effective members in Congress. Wisconsin deserves better.

Again, thank you for sharing your views. Your opinion matters to me. If I can be of service to you in any other way, please do not hesitate to let me know. Sincerely,

Tammy Baldwin, Member of Congress