Euphoria of a Senate Majority Leader

 

Bush vows to resist calls for withdrawal

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.

Speaking a day after the Democratic-controlled Congress approved legislation that requires that a troop drawdown begin by Oct. 1, Bush said — as he has before — he will veto it because of that demand. He invited congressional leaders to come to the White House to discuss a new piece of legislation that would not include a timetable, and expressed hope a deal could be reached.

Bush has set benchmarks for the Iraqi government, but has steadfastly opposed attaching any timeframe to them or requiring any actions if they are not met.

"I invited the leaders of the House and the Senate to come down soon after my veto so we can discuss a way forward," the president said. "I'm optimistic we can get a bill, a good bill and a bill that satisfies all our objectives."

Later, White House deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel said invitations were extended Friday afternoon to nine top congressional leaders, from both parties, to come to the White House on Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., urged Bush on Friday to "carefully read this bill."

"He will see it fully provides for our troops and gives them a strategy worthy of their sacrifices," Reid said. "Failing to sign this bill would deny our troops the resources and strategy they need."

For full details click on banner headline …

………………

Harry Reid thinks Bush has lost his reading ability, or perhaps Reid is on the threshold of dementia. Earlier Reid said that “Iraq is lost” although other senate stalwarts do not agree.  The recently crafted war spending bills setting forth withdrawal timetables is a way of flexing the newfound muscles of the democratic majority without regard to consequences. In other words, it is meant to make the democrats look good – in the words of Harry Reid: “I have fulfilled my constitutional duty”, even if doing so amounts to a unilateral surrender to the forces of insurgents and terrorists. What is lamentable is the shortsightedness of Reid who can’t see beyond his nose: he can’t  see or he does not care about the consequences of surrender. I hope he sobers up from his intoxication of occupying the majority leader’s chair.