General Petraeus, De Facto Commmander In Chief & GOP Pary Leader

The testimony before Congress of General David Petraeus has made him the de facto commander in chief and GOP party leader - although his own political leanings are unknown.  He is the touchstone for candidates and the president himself - and it would seem that President Bush made his speech last Thursday in no small part to reassert his own authority as decider and commander in chief.  After years of stumbles in Iraq, Petraeus has presented an aura of competence and confidence and allowed candidates and politicians to cut and run from the legacy of President Bush to a degress.

Senator John McCain has launched his No "Surrender Tour" with Petraeus' name on his lips frequently.  Rudy Giuliani seized the moment in taking out an ad in the NY Times to rebut the MoveOn.org NY Times ad, defending Petraeus honor and record and slamming Senator Clinton for her insults to the general's integrity.  Both Governor MItt Romney and former Senator Fred Thompson defended Petraeus as well as members of Congress, pundits, etc.. 

It is hardly surprising that stories have already emerged about President Petraeus in some future election - and he has come along at just the right time - to potentially buy time and save a legacy for one president and to give the GOP a reason to break with the president.