House passes Iraq funding bill with pullout date.

[erik_kosberg]

"...abdicated its responsibility by passing a war spending bill..."

Um, yeah, whatever.

Whether of not the same thing will pass in the Senate is another matter. Maybe with pullout date in the House version, without it in the Senate version? If it goes to conference committee, which version might come out????

Assuming for the moment that a with pullout date version were to come out of the conference committee, could Bush really veto it? Wouldn't the blame for cutting off funding for troops in the field then be on him?

[erik_kosberg]

Oh, my. This could get interesting.

Unwilling to do the White House's heavy lifting on Iraq, Senate Republicans are prepared to step aside to allow language requiring troop withdrawals to reach President Bush, forcing him to face down Democratic adversaries with his veto pen.

[Stokes Pennwalt]

erik_kosberg said

Assuming for the moment that a with pullout date version were to come out of the conference committee, could Bush really veto it? Wouldn't the blame for cutting off funding for troops in the field then be on him?

Some would say so.

Constitutionally, the mission of the military establishment is to do what the President tells them. Congress's control of the military does not exist except for the vastly important Article 1 Section 8 power to declare (and by extension, end) war. This piddlefarting around with clauses and trying to "redeploy" is not within their power. What they should do if they want to end the war is to pass a law revoking the authorization to use force.

In any case, I think it is silly for the Democrats to try to use funding to end the war at the end of 2008, which is when it will probably end anyway when the next president takes office.

[erik_kosberg]

So does Bush sign it (after repeatedly threatening to veto it) and hit the ground running to find a friendly judge to strike down parts that he doesn't like, or carry though with his veto thereby delaying funding? Politically, seemingly a lose-lose situation for a weak lame duck.

Granted, the House version has more teeth. If something closer to the Senate version becomnes the final bill, it might not be all that big of a deal in the short run.

[erik_kosberg]

Well, what passed in the Senate turned out to be not all that different from what passed in the House.

"Why doesn't he get real with what's going on with the world?"

Looks like a game of chicken. Who will blink first? Bush is clearly trying to lay blame on the Democrats. I'm guessing that attempt won't be believed by many people beyond the war's true believers, a group that's getting smaller all the time.

[phoenixx]

the war's true believers, a group that's getting smaller all the time.

Thank goodness.

Regardless of opinion on the war, however; I hope Shrub doesn't try his Signing Statement trick on this or veto anything. He should be distracted with his pending war in Iran to avoid a veto though, don't you think?

[erik_kosberg]

"Take a Deep Breath"

[erik_kosberg]

"...Republicans don’t get to have it both ways. In 1993, they voted to cut off funding for a foreign military conflict while troops are still in harm’s way. They don’t get to complain or question Dems’ patriotism when their rivals do the same thing 14 years later."

This could get really interesting.

[erik_kosberg]

FWIW, "Al-Bayyinah al-Jadidah carries on the front page a 370-word report citing a senior Iraqi official source saying that the Saudi King has rejected an offer from President Bush to visit Saudi Arabia because the king wants to cooperate with US democrats."

Bush is painting himself into a corner.

[erik_kosberg]

"Shorter Bush to Congress: Please come to the White House so you can all take a long, hard look at my middle finger."

What, if anything, do Dems stand to gain by giving in to King George? What am I missing?

[erik_kosberg]

Wow, check out this poll. Wow.

Hold his feet to the fire. Just do it.

[drmomentum[$]]

People like it when leaders lead. People like the Democrats better when they show some balls.

[erik_kosberg]

"Bush Baselessly Asserts That Troops Want To Stay In Iraq"

If you don't have the facts on your side, just make stuff up and lie with a straight face.

[erik_kosberg]

"There are two ways to describe the confrontation between Congress and the Bush administration over funding for the Iraq surge. You can pretend that it’s a normal political dispute. Or you can see it for what it really is: a hostage situation, in which a beleaguered President Bush, barricaded in the White House, is threatening dire consequences for innocent bystanders — the troops — if his demands aren’t met."

There's a fascinating dynamic underway here. How the hell will it play out?

[erik_kosberg]

My Way News - Cheney Criticizes Reid Over Iraq Policy

Vice President Dick Cheney accused Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday of pursuing a defeatist strategy in Iraq to win votes in the next election - a charge Reid said did not warrant a response.

I'm liking Harry Reid more and more.

Treat Cheney with the contempt he deserves.

[AuntieEmma[$]]

Yeah. Good for him.

[erik_kosberg]

"We are one signature away from ending the Iraq War."
-- Barack Obama

[brian_igo]

You forgot the other part - "We are one signature or sixteen (Republican) votes away from ending this war."

I don't know if he came up with that line, I've seen it a couple of places today, but it is going to get play over the next week and it is going to help him a lot.

[erik_kosberg]

"President Bush warned Congress Friday that he will continue vetoing war spending bills as long as they contain a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq."

Congress is playing chess. Bush is playing poker.

He has a busted flush draw. Call his bluff.

[erik_kosberg]

Up until now, I've been leaning towards Obama, but I might have to give Edwards another look. He's got a great idea. Call his bluff.

War Room - Salon.com

Nancy Pelosi said

Wrong again, Mr. President. We are substituting our judgment for your judgment, 16 blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue in the White House. We are substituting the judgment of this Congress for your failed judgment. The American people have lost faith in the president's conduct of the war. They have said they want accountability and a new direction -- this bill gives them both.

[erik_kosberg]

Um, did this ever happen during Vietnam?

[erik_kosberg]

The ink's not dry but it looks like spineless fools in Congress are caving in to Bush's whining.

Aaaarrrrggghhhhhhhh!!!!!