Upper Midwest Senators Vote 6-2 Condemning Petraeus Attacks

By Eric Ostermeier on September 21, 2007

In an amendment passed 72-25 by the Senate on Thursday, all but two Upper Midwestern Senators voted to condemn recent attacks launched against General David Petraeus, the Commanding U.S. General in Iraq, and head of its multi-national force. The amendment was provoked by the infamous MoveOn.org print advertisement questioning Petraeus' leadership and statements on the progress in Iraq.

Democratic Senators Tom Harkin of Iowa and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin joined 23 other Democrats voting against the amendment that expressed the Senate's sense that Petraues:

"Deserves the full support of the Senate and strongly condemn personal attacks on the honor and integrity of General Petraeus and all members of the United States Armed Forces."

Neither Democratic Senator has issued a press release at this time explaining their vote, nor have the six Upper Midwestern Senators who voted for its passage: Republicans Charles Grassley of Iowa, Norm Coleman of Minnesota, and John Thune of South Dakota, and Democrats Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Tim Johnson of South Dakota, and Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. Coleman criticized the MoveOn.org ad earlier in the week on his official campaign website.

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