Reid: Bush In "Denial" On Iraq

Senate Majority Leader Says Congress Will Pass Bill This Week Mandating U.S. Troop Withdrawal

(CBS/AP)  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday that President Bush is in "denial" and alone in believing things are getting better in Iraq, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss

Reid said the Democratic-controlled Congress will defy White House veto threats and pass legislation within days requiring the start of a troop withdrawal from Iraq by Oct. 1.

The legislation also sets a goal of a complete pullout by April 1, 2008, he said.

Reid said that under the legislation the troops that remain after next April 1 could only train Iraqi security units, protect U.S forces and conduct "targeted counter-terror operations."

Reid spoke a few hours after Mr. Bush said he will reject any legislation along the lines of what Democrats will pass. "I will strongly reject an artificial timetable (for) withdrawal and/or Washington politicians trying to tell those who wear the uniform how to do their job," the president said.

Mr. Bush made his comments to reporters in the Oval Office as he met with senior military leaders, including his top general in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus.

Taken together, Reid's speech and Mr. Bush's comments inaugurated a week of extraordinary confrontation between the president and the new Democratic-controlled Congress over a war that has taken the lives of more than 3,200 U.S. troops.

Reid drew criticism from the president and others last week when he said the war in Iraq had been lost.

The Nevada Democrat did not repeat the assertion in his prepared speech, saying that "The military mission has long since been accomplished. The failure has been political. It has been policy. It has been presidential."

Reid said that in addition to the timetable, the legislation will establish standards for the Iraqi government to meet in terms of "making progress on security, political reconciliation and improving the lives of ordinary Iraqis who have suffered so much."

The measure also would launch diplomatic, economic and political policy changes, Reid said.

Negotiators for the House and Senate arranged a late-afternoon meeting to ratify the timetable that Reid laid out. The demand for a change in course will be attached to a funding bill that is needed to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Reid said Mr. Bush was in "a state of denial" over the war, and likened him to another commander in chief four decades ago. "I remember when President Johnson, trying to save his political legacy, initiated the first of many surges into Vietnam in 1965," he said.

Reid said thousands more U.S. troops died in Vietnam as a result. Now, he said, Mr. Bush "is the only person who fails to face this war's reality — and that failure is devastating not just for Iraq's future, but for ours."

Reid also challenged the president to present an alternative if, as expected, he vetoes the Democratic legislation.

The president said that Petraeus will go to Capitol Hill to tell lawmakers what's going right in Iraq — and what's not.

"It's a tough time, as the general will tell Congress," Mr. Bush said. Still, the president insisted, progress is being made in Iraq as more U.S. troops head into the country to provide security.

There is no doubt that Republicans in Congress have the votes to sustain Mr. Bush's threatened veto.

That would require Congress to approve a second funding bill quickly to avoid significant disruptions in military operations.

Reid's speech blended an attack on Mr. Bush, an appeal for patience to the anti-war voters who last fall gave Democrats control and an attempt to shape the post-veto debate.

"I understand the restlessness that some feel. Many who voted for change in November anticipated dramatic and immediate results in January," he said.

"But like it or not, George W. Bush is still the commander in chief — and this is his war," Reid said.

Reid said Democrats have sought Republican support for their attempts to force the president to change course. "Only the president is the odd man out, and he is making the task even harder by demanding absolute fidelity from his party."

Looking beyond Mr. Bush's expected veto, he said, "If the president disagrees, let him come to us with an alternative. Instead of sending us back to square one with a veto, some tough talk and nothing more, let him come to the table in the spirit of bipartisanship that Americans demand and deserve."

Reid noted disapprovingly that in a speech last week, Mr. Bush repeatedly said there were signs of progress in Iraq in the wake of a troop increase he ordered last winter.

"The White House transcript says the president made those remarks in the state of Michigan. I believe he made them in the state of denial," said Reid.

Democratic officials have also said they intend to add a minimum wage increase to the war funding bill. Key lawmakers announced agreement late last week on a package of business tax breaks to accompany the boost in the wage floor, which would total $2.10 cents an hour in three equal installments.

Apart from the clash over war policy, Mr. Bush has pledged to veto the funding bill if Democrats go ahead with plans to include billions of dollars in domestic spending.

[randalds]

"Sometimes you have to tear the country apart to keep ours from destroying it."

That would be to keep "OTHERS".

[randalds]

The Iraq war is ripping our nation apart the same way Vietnam did and I'm afraid this is still only the beginning of that ripping process. This can start to get real nasty.

Posted by tbweb at 11:57 PM : Apr 24, 2007

And it will continue to do so until the warmongers finally get the message (again) that we the people do not support their new Vietnam anymore then we supported the last one. Sometimes you have to tear the country apart to keep ours from destroying it. Sometimes it takes that level of pain before the right wing finally gets the message. Unless they change and change rally really soon, it will certainly get much much nastier. Last time it took shot students and lots and lots of blood in the streets of America. This time it's up to the right wing if they want it to go that far again, because the people who are opposed to this war will take it there too if that's what they want. There will be no backing down from the anti-war side, no matter what has to happen or who has to get hurt on their side to finish this.

[tbweb]

The Iraq war is ripping our nation apart the same way Vietnam did and I'm afraid this is still only the beginning of that ripping process. This can start to get real nasty.

[kstrisha]

Congress is sending a bill to Bush that provides $124.2 billion dollars in funding for his personal OIL WAR in Iraq, and the ONLY way the troops won't get the money is if our president, and our president alone, VETOS the bill!!!

A VETO of this bill will make president Bush responsible; finally. If our troops don't get the money, IT IS BUSH'S FAULT AND HIS ALONE...

It is obvious that Bush isn't concerend about the troop's welfare, if in fact he does veto the bill, but with his personal agenda instead. Blaming others for his mess just isn't working anymore.

Bush has the final say, and if he vetos this bill, his loyalty is to BIG OIL and not to AMERICA.

[starleo146]

Mudrose we are stopping the funding Bush is doing it when he vetos the bill they are sending up. You may get your wish .

[aaabee-2009]

Rush Limbaugh is an internal terrorist. He has done more to divide and segregate this country than Bin Laden ever has.

Freedom of speech is an honorable thing.
Using it to isolate and ridicule one group of people over another isn't free speech, its hate in word form and Rush Limbaugh is given a microphone to spread his hate across the nation.

Liberal media my azz.

[realpatriot1]

unfidel,

You of all people should know that I'm not whining.

What did launching a few cruise missles accomplish? As much as Monica-Gate and the 4 year Iraq War have accomplished. At least Clinton tried to get him, not like Bush wetting his pants at Tora Bora. But what would you expect,their families are former business partners.

Funny how the only real defense any of you Limbaugh clones have for our current drunk-in-chief is Clinton-Clinton-Clinton! Did Rush tell you that lie about the Syrians wanting to hand over Bin Laden? Maybe they have him now,we'll never know since Bush refuses to talk to them.

You need to go listen to Rush. He has a new scoop today...liberals are to blame for the VT shooting!

[randalds]

He didn't take bin Laden when Syriua had him and ofered him to der Slickmeister.
Posted by Infidel_US at 03:18 PM : Apr 24, 2007

That is a right wing urban legend. It never happened.

[aaabee-2009]

You never asked me! :(
Posted by Infidel_US at 03:14 PM : Apr 24, 2007

Hey there dood! Hope you are having a fine Infidel day.

I did too ask you! But you deflected me with your usual ninja sidle tactic coolness.

[starleo146]

All you people who are hitting Harry Reid so hard what is senator Reid suppose to think. Bush said in the beginning of this war the oil in Iraq will pay for the war (2) he got on an aircraft carrier all dressed up in his pilots outfit with all the shipmates around him with a big sign MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (3) then when it wasn't accomplished he said he will stay till the Iraq people tell us to leave did any one see the big Iraq parade telling us to go home what in the world is wrong with you now they want to get rid of Maliki you watch muqata-al-sadr come out next the trouble with Bush he doesn't know his right from his left. what is anyone to think?

[infidel_us]

When Clinton attacked Bin Laden's camp with tomahawks, Trent Lott took to the Senate floor to accuse him of "wagging the dog".
Posted by realpatriot1 at 02:39 PM : Apr 24, 2007

He was. Clinton also blew up a Chinese embassy and a milk plant. Where you whining about that? And what's lobbing a few missles going to accomplish? He didn't take bin Laden when Syriua had him and ofered him to der Slickmeister.

[infidel_us]

I am not sure why you cited some of these as positives for Bush but at least you have done more than any Republican I have asked. You provided a list. Thank you.
Posted by AaaBee at 02:51 PM : Apr 24, 2007

You never asked me! :(

[aaabee-2009]

Thank you Mudrose, I was very disgruntled there wasn't more to you than that.

I agree on the tax cuts, recession, and Afganistan.

Every Republican president has to do tax cuts, it is the biggest screaming point Reps use against Dems.

Recession vs. zero debt. Economic boon vs. trillion dollar debt and bottoming out of housing market.

Real war on terror was in Afganistan and we did need to go there. Kudos to Bush. Sliding on over to Oiltown, Iraq: not so much. Getting rid of oil dictator, not so much either. That part was only for wealthy american oil dictators.

North Korea and Iran were quiet before we invaded Afganistan. The arms race there is a direct result of Bush decision. Bush's mess to be cleaned up by Bush.

I am not sure why you cited some of these as positives for Bush but at least you have done more than any Republican I have asked. You provided a list. Thank you.

[starleo146]

sdb101 I went back and read your post once again and I know you are trying in your fearful way to tell me not to think pulling out will be the right course that staying the course would be the right course I get it you are really *** Cheney arn't you?

[realpatriot1]

mudrose,

That was quite a list of Limbaugh lies.

Major tax cuts. I got a $600 check that was gone in a month. Those making over $200,000 are still raking it in. We saw how Ken Lay used his to help the economy. We were not in a recession when he took office.

When Clinton attacked Bin Laden's camp with tomahawks, Trent Lott took to the Senate floor to accuse him of "wagging the dog". Back then you Repubs thought Monica was more important.

Afghanistan is currenttl a safe haven for the Taliban..no mission accomplished there.

North Korea? Clinton got cameras in the reactors. Bush shot his mouth off about the axis of evil and Kim pulled them out. Now Bush has to send Clinton's Sec. of Energy over to undo the damage because none of his NeoCons are up to the job.

Just like Nancy has to go to the Middle east because Condi isn't upto the job.

[j-whitman]

mudrose,,,,, This weekend we lost 9 troops to Arab Sunni insurgents,,,, The majority of our casualties are contributed to Arab Sunni's

UAE IS FUNDING THEM & THE TALIBAN ---
- 9/11 ATTACK & OTHERS WAS FROM PEOPLE IN THE UAE
- US INVESTMENTS INTO THE UAE IS FUNDING TERRORISM

[starleo146]

sdb101 1:09p.m. That was quite a post and when did Bin Laden say whoever wins in Iraq will win all the wars I will tell you Islam is not a violent religion from all I have been told there are beautiful and kind muslim people now I will give you the radical jihad as you say you are probably right I am not a expert here but I'm learning fast but we had a President that once said ,"We HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF." What would Bin Laden have said if we never went into Iraq in the first place. We can put words into any situation to make them there own.Tell me where did you learn all this,. words out of Bin Laden's mouth seems quite outstanding to me and you would know these words so 160,000 troops are not enough is that what you are saying. I'll repeat what if we never went in to start with.

[mudrose-2009]

Posted by AaaBee

Well done.

Bush ran in tax cuts and delivered passing two major tax cuts. When he entered ofice the economy was in a recession. His tax cuts turned the economy around.

After the attacks on America 9/11 he rallied the nation to fight a real war on terrorism. Unlike Clinton who attack after attack said we'll do something about it and never did. Afghanistan no longer safe haven. Ended regime of Sadaam in Iraq. Forged negotiations to rid North Korea of its nuclear armaments. Mounted support to disarm Iran. In public opinion polls Bush is strong on national security. Created Drug Program for elderly Medicare Part D which has great success. Only wartime President other than Roosevelt elected to two terms.

[aaabee-2009]

Mudrose, I am sorry. I guess I was expecting too much from you, like conversation based on real things, real facts. You just spit opinion and conjecture. Foam.

Here is my list. Told you it would be longer. You can't stick up for him can you? Because you have nothing. 7 years wasted when he could have made something better of himself, could have made yours and my life better. But he chose war instead.

Democratic accomplishments since the party took control of Congress:
"have worked to provide a new direction for the American people."In the first 100 days, Democrats provided our nation with a long overdue new direction on the war in Iraq that supports both our troops and our veterans," restored fiscal responsibility with a budget that reflects our American values, extends health care coverage to uninsured children, provides aid to the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and restores critical funding for education, law enforcement and medical research."

Plus initiated investigations in areas that demonstrated a lapse in ethical upkeep.

[j-whitman]

mudrose,,, Actually it's time to mow the lawn,,, I don't do meds..... Mr. WMD (Cheney) just attacked Reid,,, I'm waiting to hear him respond.