US House Republicans decry Bush's critics on Iraq

Reuters | 9/10/03 | Vicki Allen

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - A group of House of Representatives Republicans said on Wednesday that Democrats criticizing the Bush administration's plan to stabilize Iraq were damaging that effort and endangering U.S. troops.

But as administration officials were set to lobby for an $87 billion spending package largely for Iraq, some Republicans questioned whether the State Department should take a larger role in Iraq's reconstruction and whether Baghdad should have to pay back some of the money.

Rep. Ed Schrock of Virginia told a news conference that "all the sniping we've been hearing on TV about the president and how he's handling the situation ... plays into the hands of the enemy."

He said the nine Democrats running for president were "trying to make this look like the worst thing that's ever happened. Frankly this administration has done a magnificent job and more people need to come out and say that."

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and White House budget director Joshua Bolten were to hold closed briefings for lawmakers later in the day to make their case for the huge emergency spending bill.

Congress approved $79 billion in for Iraq in April, but that money was depleted amid violence against U.S. troops and pressing needs to provide basic services to the Iraqi people.

Schrock and other Republicans who recently visited Iraq said Americans were getting a misleading image of conditions there, many Iraqis' lives were much improved and that they appreciated U.S. forces for being there.

"These people are fearful we'll leave too soon," said Rep. Michael Burgess, of Texas.

Rep. Deborah Pryce of Ohio, a member of the House Republican leadership, said what she saw in Iraq "stands in stark contrast to what we read everyday" and that some of $21 billion the White House wants for rebuilding "may be recaptured through Iraqi oil and other activity."

Pryce said making part of the assistance in the form of loans would make the package more palatable for lawmakers facing a federal deficit of some $525 billion next year, according to White House estimates.

But Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia downplayed that prospect because of Iraq's huge debt load and the need to strengthen its economy.

The lawmakers said $66 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan should not be controversial.

"That $66 billion directly goes to the war on terrorism. Everybody including our friends on the other side of the aisle who said our troops ought to be there -- that money should be off the table," said Rep. Michael Rogers of Michigan.

With mounting criticism of the Pentagon's handling of post-war operations in Iraq among Republicans and Democrats, congressional aides said there were growing rumblings that the State Department should take the lead.

09/10/03 14:50 ET

[kattracks]

What Iraqis Really Think

Bush Deserves Praise, Not Criticism, for Iraq

[tsmith130]

some Republicans questioned whether the State Department should take a larger role in Iraq's reconstruction

EGADS-NO!!!!!

[caisson71]

One would expect bootlegger, non-swimmer Kennedy to throw a temper tantrum in front of a camera about ANYTHING our President does but what is really upsetting is the bad-mouthing by Republicans. The SOBs had better realize who supports their paychecks.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

That's all we've heard from those(so called debates)as well.The demo-losers have yet to actually engage in a debate,this has been nothing more than a Bush bashing convention.The republicans need to be more hateful and mean in their comments about demos.