MoveOn.org's full-page ad in the New York Times today defaming Army Gen. David H. Petraeus for "cooking the books for the White House" piqued Republicans on Capitol Hill.

"Democratic leaders must make a choice today: either embrace the character assassination tactics Moveon.org has leveled against the four-star general leading our troops in the fight against al Qaeda, or denounce it as disgraceful," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican.

"There is room for honest disagreement over how to proceed in our fight against al Qaeda and to bring stability and security to Iraq, but this cheap and shameful attack has no place in this debate," he said. "I urge everyone -- Republicans and Democrats alike -- to condemn this advertisement and those who funded and placed it. And I call on my colleagues to listen to what General Petraeus has to say. He's earned it."

Democrats stayed silent this morning despite the calls to denounce the ad.
House Minority Whip Roy Blunt, Missouri Republican, said, "Enough is enough. Moveon.org has gone too far with an ad that attacks one of our nation's finest generals."

Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, chariman of hte Republican Study Comittee, said the ad was "classless" and called on Democratic leaders to denounce it.

"Though MoveOn has the freedom to opine as they choose, that does not preclude elected Democrat members of Congress from pushing back against such slanderous charges, no matter their opinion on the ongoing military efforts in Iraq," Mr. Hensarling said.

"The men and women serving our nation deserve our full respect and gratitude, regardless of one's political ideology," he said. "Though we live in a tumultuous world in which opinions are bound to differ, there is a right way and a wrong way to conduct oneself and there is a difference between class and classless."

Rep. John Carter, Texas Republican, called it a "shameful, disrespectful attack.

"Any member of Congress -- Republican or Democrat -- should denounce an attack that is so outright distasteful," he said.

Mr. Carter continued, "Now is the time to show our enemies that the security of our nation is more important than party politics and cheap shots from the home front. As Americans, we owe General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker the courtesy of listening to their honest report about what is going on in Iraq, and then we must work together to face the challenges that lie ahead in Iraq."

-- S.A. Miller, Capitol Hill correspondent, The Washington Times