And this congress has failed miserably when it comes fiscal responsibility. The president needs to step up and tell the American people that indeed the grown-ups are in charge and challenge the congress to send him a pork free budget. Do it on live TV and threaten to veto any budget that contains pork when the country is at war, recovering from Katrina and preparing for the aftermath of Rita. He'd hit it out of the park and his poll numbers would soar to post 911 levels.
The President is part of the problem. He has a line item veto but has given Congress everything they've asked for - including the pork which includes the "bridge to nowhere".
You are suggesting that the President stand up and tell a bold-face lie?
No, they wouldn't.
The Country is too politicized. It's doubtful he'll ever hit higher than a 57% again. That would be the high, imo, even if he caught Osama bare handed.
The President could do as you suggest. VETO a bill. But I challenge everyone look at the arrogance of the House and the Senate. Especially the Senate. They'll retalliate in some measure. Very likely it will be on a conservative policy.
The President trades pork for passage of other items on his agenda. The risk in stopping that flow of pork, or at least making it harder to come by, is that, for example, they could cease funding of the WOT-specifically Iraq. Think they wouldn't do it? I believe they would. To lesser extent maybe they'll endorse tax hikes.
This isn't to say I'm advocating against a VETO. I'm not. I'm just stating everyone needs to go into this with eyes wide open. There are consequences to every action. Expect retaliation for a VETO.