Zarqawi dead. Our pols are in favor of that.

Some reaction from the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky delegation to the killing of top Iraqi terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi:

Rep. John Boehner, R-West Chester, House Majority Leader:

"The American people received good news from Iraq and another important milestone was achieved for the Iraqi people and the Global War on Terror. The death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is an important and tangible success for our mission in Iraq and in the larger Global War on Terror. Americans are safer today as a result of the death of a man whose followers characterize their murderous actions as a 'fierce war on the malicious ideology' of Democracy. Our military personnel deserve our praise and gratitude for their tireless efforts to track down the terrorists who have declared Iraq to be the central front in their violence against democratic and free societies.

"In addition, the appointments of the Ministers of Defense and the Interior today were positive political steps for establishing a united, free, and sovereign Iraq. We have a demanding task ahead of us, but we are making concrete progress. We remain committed to supporting the efforts of the Iraqi people and working with them and our coalition partners to bring peace and democracy to Iraq and the region."

You can listen to Boehner here.

Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Westwood:

"The death of terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a great stride in the global war on terror. Al-Zarqawi and his deranged followers targeted innocent men, women and children to spread fear and division inside Iraq. I am hopeful that the death of al-Zarqawi and a continued emphasis on training Iraqi security forces will allow our brave soldiers to return home as soon as possible."

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Senate Whip:

“The death of terrorist Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi is a big victory in the war on terror and the continued march toward freedom and democracy in Iraq. Our brave troops in the field, the new Iraqi government and their security forces should be commended for taking the fight to these murderous terrorists. While there will no doubt be tough days ahead, the terrorist Zarqawi will murder no more.”

Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., on the "termination" of Zarqawi, as he called it:

“The death of Al-Zarqawi is good news for the Iraqi people and our continued success in the War on Terror. This terrorist thug is directly responsible for the deaths of coalition soldiers and thousands of Iraqi civilians, and his death serves as a huge blow to al Qaeda in Iraq.

“The Iraqi government and coalition forces worked closely together to achieve this important victory and I am extremely proud of the job being done by both the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and their Iraqi counterparts to keep these insurgents on the run.

“I am also encouraged by the news today that Prime Minister al-Maliki has completed the formation of his cabinet with the appointment of his defense and interior ministers. These are all signs that we are making great strides in the effort to establish a free and stable Iraq.”

Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Hebron:

"The death of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, Al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, is an important success for Operation Iraqi Freedom and for the War on Terror. Dismantling the terrorist organizations that continue to wreak havoc on neighborhoods throughout the country is a critical step in securing a sovereign and peaceful Iraq. I am extremely proud of our armed forces serving in Iraq and across the world who are continually fighting to preserve our freedom and promote democracy."

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., who represents part of Dearborn County and areas north of it.

"I rejoice in the death of no man, but today I'll make an exception. "As America and the world just learned, the al Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is dead. "The President of the United States said it was an opportunity to 'turn the tide,' and that the ideology of terror had lost one of its visible and aggressive leaders, and it has. "But this was not simply a tactically significant strike by US and Iraqi forces. Somebody dropped a dime. "It is also evidence, as U.S. General George Casey in Iraq said earlier today, of increased cooperation. "I commend U.S. and Iraqi forces for this extraordinary accomplishment. The leading enemy of freedom in Iraq is dead. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is gone. "Let freedom reign in Iraq."

Rep. Mike Sodrel, who represents parts of Dearborn County and areas south and west of it.

"The death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the terrorist mastermind of al-Qaida's violence in Iraq, is an important milestone in the war on terror and in the development of a stable and free Iraq. Zarqawi was not only Osama Bin Laden's personally anointed terror leader in Iraq, but was also responsible for the murder of hundreds of innocent Iraqi's. His death is a victory for the United States Armed Forces, the Iraqi military and all Iraqi's.
"The significance of the Iraqi parliament's approval of defense and interior ministers should not be overlooked. The new Iraqi government has overcome this political challenge and has taken another important step forward.
"While these developments do not signal an immediate end to violence in Iraq, this is a very good day in the very young history of the free and independent Iraq."