Democrats Ordered Bush to Write Petraeus Report

There's much outrage from the Left that the White House will be placing its own "spin" on the upcoming report from General Petraeus concerning conditions in Iraq. Those who do so attempt to criticize the general's efforts and of our brave fighting forces without telling us that the President is required by law to write the report set forth by the Democrat Congress, not to mention the Constitution! View From Above explains:

It is obvious from even a cursory glance at the legislation, that it is the
President who is responsible for producing the report to Congress, NOT
Petraeus...

"The President shall submit a second report to the
Congress, not later than September 15, 2007, following the same procedures and
criteria outlined above... (a reference to the interim report required of the
President not later than July 15, 2007) --HR2206 (page 27)"

Granted, the 2007 supplemental funding bill for the Iraq war
does include a requirement for testimony by General Petraeus before the Congress
-- a requirement which the White House never suggested would be
refused...Nevertheless, it is very clear that the report to Congress is to come
from the President...

So, unless we want to go back and change the Constitution (Article II, Section 3), which mandates the President has the responsibility of explaining to Congress actions carried out under his administration, as is his duty as Commander in Chief.

Currently, we also hear rhetoric, from the likes of Republican Senator John Warner that despite the Surge, the supposed failures of the Maliki government to bring reconciliation means that all success by Petraeus is null and void. I think this too is a dead end strategy for the defeatists, so look for this argument to fizzle out in the coming weeks and months as security within Iraq improves.