This is a pretty major endorsement. General Batiste has more credibility on Iraq than just about anyone and is a lifelong Republican (we’ve written a lot about General Batiste in the past — see here for a sample). From the press release:

Major General John Batiste, former Commander of the United States Army’s First Infantry Division, announced his formal endorsement of Eric Massa of Corning for Congress in New York’s 29^th District.

“John Batiste is a true American Patriot,” said Candidate Massa. “During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004 and early 2005, John Batiste and the 1^st Infantry Division were responsible for North-Central Iraq, an area the size of the state of West Virginia. When John Batiste speaks about Iraq, you listen, because he knows exactly what he’s talking about.”

“Commander Massa is the right man for the 29^th District,” said Major General Batiste. “I spent years in Iraq, I can tell you that the Administration is still not listening to the Commanders on the ground, I know this because I was one of them. We need a change of direction in this country, and that begins by electing people like Eric Massa to Congress.”

Related posts:

1. John Batiste endorses Eric Massa
2. VoteVets launches anti-Iraq war ad featuring General Batiste
3. Batiste and Massa to live blog together on dailykos
4. An evening with General Batiste
5. An invitation to an evening discussion with General Batiste