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A few important points are being overlooked in this thread. First, this is the first (and only that I'm aware of) successful bi-partisan (that is the only kind that is working) action on increased defense spending in 2004. Second, this is in parallel with a $25 billion funding boost that Rumsfeld has finally and wisely decided to ask for before the elections. It is critical as he didn't ask for funds in February and thought he'd poor boy the Army for an extra six months until he got past the elections. This will avert a funding crisis in the third quarter because we are burning billions per month more than we budgeted. The funding crisis is already occurring over spare-parts and extra troops so resolving it now makes sense for our troops on the third rotation as well as the administration. I'm speculating, but I think the reason the 700 M113s in Kuwait aren't in Iraq is that they didn't get maintenance or parts but I can't prove it. That is why the supplemental is important among other things. Third, this initiative is likely to be successful at a time when Rumsfeld couldn't sell bread to his family, much less as a new appropriation from congress. He lost their trust and they won't give him a blank check again. He shouldn't resign in the face of the prison events because it sends the wrong message to our enemies, but he should consider stepping out for health reasons later this summer. It will help Bush in the polls, come November IMHO. We need to singularly focus on getting the troops the equipment they need wherever it comes from and by whatever means.