Bush Vows Continued Vetoes On Funding Bill

President Says He'll Veto Any Attempt By Congress To Force A U.S. Pullout From Iraq

(CBS/AP)  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, Mr. Bush said — as expected — he will veto it because of that demand.

But at a Camp David news conference with Japan's prime minister, Mr. Bush said he's optimistic a deal can be worked out to get funding for the U.S. troops in Iraq, CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports.

"I'm optimistic we can get a bill, a good bill and a bill that satisfies all our objectives," he said.

He invited congressional leaders to come to the White House to discuss a new piece of legislation that does not include a timetable. But he made clear that if Democrats insist on including timetables again, he will not hesitate to bring out his veto pen.

"If they want to try again that which I've said is unacceptable, of course I won't accept it," the president said during the news conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "I hope it won't come to that."

Passage of the Iraq spending legislation in both houses was not by big enough margins to override a presidential veto. So lawmakers and the White House immediately began talking about negotiations for a follow-up bill.

Democratic leaders said they hoped to have a new bill ready by June 1. Several Democratic officials have said the next measure likely will jettison the withdrawal timetable, but may include consequences if the Iraqi government does not meet certain benchmarks, such as expanding democratic participation and allocating oil resources.

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

Senate leaders said Friday that the bill should go to Mr. Bush early next week. The White House has not said whether Mr. Bush plans a quiet veto or a public ceremony.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., urged Mr. 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."

The bill would provide $124.2 billion, more than $90 billion of which would go for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Democrats added billions more for domestic programs, and while most of the debate focused on the troop withdrawal issue, some of the extra spending also has drawn Mr. Bush's ire.

The legislation requires a troop withdrawal to begin July 1 if Mr. Bush cannot certify that the Iraqi government is making progress in disarming militias, reducing sectarian violence and forging political agreements; otherwise, it calls for the withdrawal to start by Oct. 1.

While the beginning of a withdrawal is mandated, the balance of the pullback is merely advisory, to take place by April 1, 2008.

Troops could remain after that date to conduct counterterrorism missions, protect U.S. facilities and personnel and train Iraqi security forces.

[rharrin1]

If he vetoes send the same bill back except move the date from oct 1 to sept 1

[rharrin1]

Do the math. During Clintons reign as court jester, how many times were we attacked by Islamists?

Posted by pwrslm at 10:35 AM : Apr 28, 2007

Do the math how many deaths during Clinton
how many deaths during bush

[toldyouso21]

Anybody hear about Gonzales being heckled at his 25 year College reunion at Harvard? He was trying to pose with friends and when the photographer said "say cheese" Some people shouted how about saying "torture, I don't recall and resign instead" Word is Gonzales and his security detail left quick, fast and in a hurry and were NOT pleased. Rotflmao.

If Bush and Gonzales can't seem to let go of the office--the American voters just might make a laughing stock of the AG and make both wish they had taken the dignified way out.

[irishbitch1]

Bush and Cheney aka Beavis and Butthead!!
Stubborness and stupidity are the only true traits bush has.The so called surge is not working, our Soldiers and their families have sacrificed enough. How much more blood does this man want on his hands?

[abbe7]

If he vetoes the bill, no other bill is needed.
After all, he can ask the money to Halliburton and their kind, which have got a lot of undue taxpayer money already.

[firststate]

The man knows no shame and apparently cannot acknowledge just exactly how badly he's fu(ked up. 3,206 members of our armed forces killed after his little fly-in on the carrier in 2003, for the Mission Accomplished festivitiies, when major military operations were over. All his lies and misdirection have gotten us to the point where he can't let himself see the extent of the continuing disaster the DickNBush Iraq policy has been. The only thing left to salvage is as many of our military as possible. If we do the responsible thing for the Iraqis who have also really been screwed by the DickNBush duo, we redploy to the borders to keep the riff-raft out and let Iraq clean their house however they want for 3-6 months, at which time our guys are outta there.

However, he'll probably screw our people and theirs again and veto the bill and have a temper tantrum. I wonder if Barb thought it was cute when he had the tantrums as a child, cause it's fordamnedsure not even vaguely amusing, now.

[asor1-2009]

I just know there is a ventriloquist hiding somewhere behind this dummy.

[randalds]

Do you know what the irony of this whole situation is? The two people who screamed for this war and consider themselves "war" president and vice president both avoided service when they were both eligible to fight in Vietnam.

Posted by waynabq at 01:30 PM : Apr 28, 2007

Their supporters, esp the ones here are just as bad or worse. They cheer on the idea of this war and sending more troops no differently then they would moving up a level in a video game. I honestly don't think that they seriously grasp the REAL men and women are dying! That this is not a Saturady cheering on thier team at a game of football or baseball. A few weeks ago one of the idiots here was crowing that Bush was 2 and 0! Like that's all it meant to him, like it was just a ****king score! None of them here have the guts to actually go and fight, so they hide their cowardly as*ses behind their keyboards and do their best to send OTHERS off to die for their GAME. They are as mentally sick as their idols in the White House.

[starleo146]

Does anyone remember (sp) malosivitch of Yugoslavia he was tried for war crimes he finally died but the people stood in front of his capital day and night till he resigned and was caught and sent to Haig for trial. This president should not get away with this lie and I think really Cheney and Rumsfeld planned it all and the moron Bush he is, did as he was told.

[waynabq]

Bush and Cheney remind me of Laurel and Hardy.
Whenever they got into a bad predicament, Hardy would say to Laurel "This is another fine mess you've gotten us into".

Abott and Costello, Lewis and Martin, Laurel and Hardy, now we've got another legendary team that's making everyone laugh until they cry, Bush/Cheney.

[waynabq]

Do you know what the irony of this whole situation is? The two people who screamed for this war and consider themselves "war" president and vice president both avoided service when they were both eligible to fight in Vietnam.

Cheney applied for five deferments and Bush used his father's influence to get ahead of better qualified people to join the Air National Guard to avoid combat duty.

Now they both don't have the slightest problem about sending young men and women in harm's way in Iraq to do their political bidding.

Now I understand why Bush and Cheney are held in such high esteem by their supporters.

[neoconrcrazy]

The only deadline Bush will accept is the one imposed on him by the Congress and American People.

This sob has shown what stuff he's made of and I don't want another drop of American blood on Iraqi soil.

[neoconrcrazy]

Our President is a coward who needs to admit HIS failures, and he needs to pull the troops under a strict deadline. Otherwise, there is no goal, and we will continue to achieve additional deaths and permanent disabilities of our families and neighbors.
Posted by IdlePugilist

could not agree more - there is no goal ! "Iraqi Freedom" has become "Iraqi Bloodbath" thanks to the murderous neocon idea that got us here.

Declare Failure and get our boys out of the hornets nest - pronto!

[waynabq]

Bush and supporters of his policies are creating more terror. The situation is clearly getting worse. There have been more terrorists attacks against U.S. forces and U.S allies than ever before.

The White House claimed that terrorists attacks world wide were decreasing because of the Iraq invasion. The Bush administration even used to publish statistics to bolster their claims. For clearly apparent reasons, this report is no longer waved in front of the media.

Occupying and trying to use military force is clearly not the right strategy, more people and more people are willing to sacrifice their lives fighting U.S. occupation.

Its not to difficult to see, Bush's "surge" is not working.

[idlepugilist]

As for Muslims in Iraq wanting American troops to leave or stay, who cares? In essence, they need to pull together, but they cannot in the midst of a civil war. We cannot alter their way of thinking, and they will have to experience more teeth getting knocked out before they arrive at an accord. If Muslims had looked at America during our civil war, they would have looked the other way because they would not have been able to help. Bush may or may not understand this, but he is mis-representing the will of the majority of Americans. Pull our troops back. A new strategy for terroism in the upcoming post-Bush era needs to be formulated.

[idlepugilist]

Our military is the finest trained military in the world. They perform with honor, committment and diligence in Iraq and Afghanistan. They see first hand how their individual efforts affect the locals. However, the strategy they are given from the White House is not leading to a loss or victory. No one can vanquish the United States military. Having said this, repeating my previous statement, they cannot contain the random insanity of local and foreign extremists around Iraq who enjoy blowing themselves up. 40 more today. At some point we have to say, "We hit a plateau two years ago". Bush's War in Iraq has proven to be misguided and completely misunderstood by the White House.
Our President is a coward who needs to admit HIS failures, and he needs to pull the troops under a strict deadline. Otherwise, there is no goal, and we will continue to achieve additional deaths and permanent disabilities of our families and neighbors.

[bm6005]

Impeach the IQ 91 MORON now before he ---cks up America anymore with his hick type thinking!!

[bm6005]

There are indeed allot of peaceful Muslims in the world who want out, and want freedom to choose, but radical Islamic rule will not allow them to do so because their lives are threatened if they consider leaving Islam and exploring other options on their own.
Posted by singinrick

Speaking of BS where did you get this little tidbit? Was there a poll among Muslims or is this another wish of yours that it be true?

[bm6005]

There are indeed allot of peaceful Muslims in the world who want out, and want freedom to choose, but radical Islamic rule will not allow them to do so because their lives are threatened if they consider leaving Islam and exploring other options on their own.
Posted by singinrick

Speaking of BS where did you get this little tidbit? Was there a poll among Muslims or is this another wish of yours that it be true?

[rafterman1]

===His removal brought to light all the old grievances of the people, remember Tito.===

Oh, I forgot that one. In fact, it's a perfect companion to Iraq. Tito was a dictator who kept the religious and other rivalries in line. He dies and the region explodes (e.g., Kosovo, Serbia). Iraq, same thing. Saddam's a dictator who kept the Shiites and Sunnis in line. We remove him and now the region is a mess.