posted on March 12, 2007 05:03:50 PM new
Dems strip Iran provision from Iraq bill
By DAVID ESPO 59 minutes ago
Top House Democrats retreated Monday from an attempt to limit President Bush's authority for taking military action against Iran as the leadership concentrated on a looming confrontation with the White House over the Iraq war.
Officials said Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) and other members of the leadership had decided to strip from a major military spending bill a requirement for Bush to gain approval from Congress before moving against Iran.
Conservative Democrats as well as lawmakers concerned about the possible impact on Israel had argued for the change in strategy.
The developments occurred as Democrats pointed toward an initial test vote in the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday on the overall bill, which would require the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by Sept. 1, 2008, if not earlier. The measure also provides nearly $100 billion to pay for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The White House has issued a veto threat against the measure, and Vice President Dick Cheney attacked its supporters in a speech, declaring they "are telling the enemy simply to watch the clock and wait us out."
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.George S. Patton
posted on March 12, 2007 06:15:38 PM new
Retreat???
That's what they do best.
When the going gets tough...they start running.
And I agree....it's a repeat of what the liberal left did during VN. Gave our enemies hope and encouragement so they held out.
And the liberals won't even accept THAT history as FACTUAL.
They'll never learn. All we can hope is that enough Americans don't want to see our CONSTITUTION changed by the liberal congress who is trying to take constitutional POWERS away from the executive branch of our government.
Plus I rest assured that the CIC has veto power and NOTHING is going to pass over his desk that HE doesn't agree with. NOTHING.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on March 12, 2007 08:15:12 PM new
Maybe their 'change of heart' lol came about because of how Cheney been POUNDING them all day today.
Several quotes from the AP where he's pointing out to the voters that the dems are CERTAINLY NOT supporting our troops.
And they're NOT....so I'm glad to see him speaking out about it.
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Here's but one:
Today: March 12, 2007 at
15:20:6 PDT
Cheney Puts 'Anti-War' Dems on Defensive
By MATTHEW LEE
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -
Anti-war lawmakers in Congress are undermining U.S. troops in Iraq by trying to limit President Bush's spending requests for military operations, Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday.
His remarks came as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid scheduled a Wednesday test vote on a resolution that calls for combat troops to leave Iraq by March 2008.
Also this week, a House committee will consider legislation that would fully fund the administration's $100 billion request for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan yet demand that troops leave Iraq by the end of August 2008 and possibly the end of 2007.
[already mentioned above]
With those showdowns nearing, Cheney tried to put Democrats on the defensive.
"When members speak not of victory but of time limits, deadlines and other arbitrary measures, they are telling the enemy simply to watch the clock and wait us out," Cheney said in a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
"When members of Congress pursue an anti-war strategy that's been called 'slow bleed,' they are not supporting the troops, they are undermining them," he said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Cheney's remarks prove "the administration's answer to continuing violence in Iraq is more troops and more treasure from the American people."
Reid, D-Nev., said America was less safe today because of the war. The president "must change course, and it's time for the Senate to demand he do it," Reid said.
Democratic leaders have public opinion on their side when it comes to their opposition of the war. More than six in 10 Americans think Iraq was a mistake - the largest number yet found in AP-Ipsos polling.
But congressional leaders have struggled to get party members to agree how far to go to end the war.
Some anti-war Democrats prefer limiting the funds so the administration would essentially be forced to remove U.S. forces, a strategy that party leaders have abandoned.
Others say they do not want to do anything that could hurt the troops.
[[[[YEA FOR THOSE WHO ACTUALLY DO CARE ABOUT OUR TROOPS - and aren't ONLY giving LIP SERVICE to them...they actually MEAN IT]]]]]
"This supplemental should be about supporting the troops and providing what they need," said Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., on Monday upon returning from a trip to Iraq. Boren said he plans to oppose any legislation setting a clear deadline for troops to leave.
Cheney seized on the debate among Democrats, contending the White House expects Congress will support the troops.
Cheney said the House's nonbinding vote against troop increases in Iraq last month was an example of "twisted logic" and "not a proud episode in the history of the United States Congress."
Cheney added, "Very soon, both houses will have to vote on a piece of legislation that is binding, a bill to provide emergency funding to the troops, and I sincerely hope that this time, the discussion this time will be about winning in Iraq."
He predicted "disaster" and "chaos" in the Middle East with either al-Qaida or Iran emerging dominant from a bloody sectarian battle and compromising regional security if U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq before their mission is completed.
Of particular concern, he said, would be a powerful and possibly nuclear-armed Iran, criticizing as inconsistent some lawmakers who are pressing for tougher action on Iran but opposing Bush's Iraq plan.
"It is simply not consistent for anyone to demand aggressive action against the menace posed by the Iranian regime while at the same time acquiescing in a retreat from Iraq that would leave our worst enemies dramatically emboldened and Israel's best friend, the United States, dangerously weakened," Cheney said.
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Thank GOD we have some leaders who know what needs to be done.
Especially when the liberals WHINERS complain that our troops were sent without what they needed.....while on the other hand they fully support holding back the necessary funds NOW.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on Mar 12, 2007 08:17 PM ]
