New role for Gen. Petraeus at CIA

Four-star U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus came to public prominence with his leadership in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But after serving faithfully and well in those sometimes contentious, frustrating and indecisive efforts, Petraeus was recently confirmed by a 94-0 Senate vote to become head of the CIA, at the age of 58. There is every reason for confidence that his character and experience have qualified him for this important new post.

But he did not retire from the military without a stern warning to Washington that it should not impose budget cuts that would create a "hollow Army" and weaken our nation's ability to defend itself.

Federal deficit spending is obviously a grave problem, but cuts should be focused on unconstitutional spending and on reform of entitlements that are currently going broke. It is vital that we maintain our military readiness, and Petraeus is right to say so.

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