President's Remarks: Iraq War Emergency Supplemental(Responds to Congress' Betrayal Live Thread)

White House ^ | March 23, 2007

[bd476]

Live now, President Bush is making a strong response.

---

Updated:

Remarks by the President on the Iraq War Emergency Supplemental



REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE IRAQ WAR EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL

Diplomatic Reception Room
2:00 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Today I'm joined here at the White House by veterans, family members of people serving in combat, family members of those who have sacrificed. I am honored that they have joined me here today.

Here in Washington, members of both parties recognize that our most solemn responsibility is to support our troops in the war on terror. Yet, today, a narrow majority in the House of Representatives abdictated its responsibility by passing a war spending bill that has no chance of becoming law, and brings us no closer to getting our troops the resources they need to do their job.

The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding. Instead, Democrats in the House, in an act of political theater, voted to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders on the ground in Iraq. They set rigid restrictions that will require an army of lawyers to interpret. They set an arbitrary date for withdrawal without regard for conditions on the ground. And they tacked on billions for pet projects that have nothing to do with winning the war on terror. This bill has too much pork, too many conditions and an artificial timetable for withdrawal.

As I have made clear for weeks, I will veto it if it comes to my desk. And because the vote in the House was so close, it is clear that my veto would be sustained. Today's action in the House does only one thing: it delays the delivering of vital resources for our troops. A narrow majority has decided to take this course, just as General Petraeus and his troops are carrying out a new strategy to help the Iraqis secure their capital city.

Amid the real challenges in Iraq, we're beginning to see some signs of progress. Yet, to score political points, the Democratic majority in the House has shown it is willing to undermine the gains our troops are making on the ground.

Democrats want to make clear that they oppose the war in Iraq. They have made their point. For some, that is not enough. These Democrats believe that the longer they can delay funding for our troops, the more likely they are to force me to accept restrictions on our commanders, an artificial timetable for withdrawal, and their pet spending projects. This is not going to happen. Our men and women in uniform need these emergency war funds. The Secretary of Defense has warned that if Congress does not approve the emergency funding for our troops by April the 15th, our men and women in uniform will face significant disruptions, and so would their families.

The Democrats have sent their message, now it's time to send their money. This is an important moment -- a decision for the new leaders in Congress. Our men in women in uniform should not have to worry that politicians in Washington will deny them the funds and the flexibility they need to win. Congress needs to send me a clean bill that I can sign without delay. I expect Congress to do its duty and to fund our troops, and so do the American people -- and so do the good men and women standing with me here today.

Thank you for your time.

END 2:04 P.M. EDT

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE IRAQ WAR EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL

[AliVeritas]

You forget who most of the press used to work for.

[Stayfree]

YOU MEAN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL THINK WE GOT CAUGHT WITH OUR PANTS DOWN?? REALLY?? NOW WHAT??

[Bush gal in LA]

Hey Rats you made your points. you stand with the terrorists! ........Now hurry up and send the money for our troops. you miserable RAT BASTARDS!

[new yorker 77]

Over Five years after 9-11, Democrats agree with Osama Bin Laden that are troops can not win, the Iraq is a failure, that Iraq is a quagmire, that President Bush is a liar and that his wars have spawned more terrorists.

Liberal Democrats agree with Murderous Terrorists.

It redefines UN-AMERICAN.

[quantfive]

"I didn't take a shot at Bush....I said Bush said, there would be serious disruptions for the troops if there wasn't a 'clean' bill by April 15. I consider this significant."

Definately this could be a problem but I don't see the Dems putting this off. It would all but guarantee a Republican president next year.

[carton253]

I took my frustration out on you and that was very unfair of me.

It seems recently, there was been a bandwagoning effect in the media and on Free Republic that the President hasn't been forceful enough in putting the Dems in their place.

This concerted effort has really annoyed me. Really annoyed me. And here you come and I let you have it and I do apologize.

I don't agree with the President on some things, but lately, when I read the threads I find this good and decent man the subject of some vicious attacks. It makes me angry.

I think he has done a tremendous job. I don't agree with his immigration stand or his Israeli policy, but to read some of the names he gets called - well...

So, please accept my apology for "unloading" on you. Again, it wasn't very fair of me to do that.

God bless this President.

[AliVeritas]

http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2007/03/23/the-triumph-of-hate-over-principle/

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Excellent! The President did exactly what needed to be done. The statement was short and to the point. The message was clear and unmistakable. His body language helped signal his disgust. The look on his face was forceful and angry. This was good. "

No one outside of us will ever see it. The MSM already tried to hide how the vote was broken down. Tomorrow the headline will read:

BIPARTISAN CONGRESS VOTES AGAINST THE WAR. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.

[carton253]

Yahoo's story on the President's statement is long. Second to the last paragraph it mentions pork but as part of Pelosi's strategy to get the dems on board.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

I truly believe the little behindness is seeing the ire of America go up and up and up.....and he is becoming more scared by the second....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't know if the lil'sob is too evil or too krazy to
feel fear,,,lil' of both maybe,,,

[thelastvirgil]

>>Why take shots at GW at this point? He just called the democrats out and made them look foolish. Attack the democrats. They are the ones trying to help the emnemy that is trying to kill all of us. They are the ones piling on prk to war funds. Attack your enemy not the one on your side. That is idiotic and moronic.<<

Agreed. I hope this statement signals that the moonbat's have finally gotten on Dubya's last nerve. The Murkin sheeple deserve to have this porkfest pounded into their mushy brains until the term "Democrat" becomes synonymous with "traitor", "coward", and "flim-flam".

Every piece of ridiculous pork in this D.O.A. legislation should be highlighted by the entire administration. If enough people learn that it contains $25,000,00 to benefit one spinach farm, they might just become enraged enough to run these scum out of office. The earmarks intended to assuage Republican house members should not be exempt from the bright light of day, either.

[ohioWfan]

From One has a cute formula here.

He criticizes the President when it is completely inappropriate, and then he calls everyone who calls him on it a 'nut case.'

It's a coward's way of avoiding responsibility for his own words. Blame the other guy for what you have done.

Thanks to all who have stood in support of the President here.

He has been standing nearly alone in protecting this country against terror, because he has been abandoned by enemy and 'friend' alike.

This is EXACTLY what I expected from President Bush because he has the courage of a lion.

Thank You, Lord, for this President!

[haircutter]

AMEN...AMEN..and AMEN

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3380340,00.html

Iran summons UK envoy over 'illegal entry into Iranian waters'

Published: 03.23.07, 20:48 / Israel News

Iran summoned the British charge d'affaires to Tehran on Friday to protest over what it said was the illegal entry of British naval personnel into Iranian waters, state television reported. "The Iranian Foreign Ministry has seriously objected following the illegal entry of British naval military forces into our country's waters," state television reported.



A British diplomat in Tehran confirmed the charge d'affaires was summoned but gave no further details. Britain said 15 British naval personnel were seized by Iran in the Gulf but said they were in Iraqi waters. (Reuters)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Be interesting to hear what is said...
"We saw The Vote" or something close,,,
Of course this ain't the dems fault !?
I think it is...

[jveritas]

Thanks for the supporter AV. We have few elitists, defeatists, and knee jerks on this forum who must be put down in their place each time.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

This move by the Democrats is more about quashing the momentum of success we've had in Iraq these past few weeks than it is about timetables and pork.

They want us to lose so they have something to complain about in 08.

[thelastvirgil]

Okay, HJ, you have self-certified yourself as an authority on political rhetoric and strategy. I think we could even get a FReeper concensus that you are very possibly the world's smartest man if only you, in return, would agree to just STFU. Enough, already. You have made your point. Whatever it was.

[Wolfstar]

So you think GWB has made a big political mistake. Well hold muh coffee while I go get a crying towel. Frankly, this President can't go for a walk with his dogs without torquing off somebody. He shuda done this, and he shuda done that, and he shuda done the other thing. All day long from the chorus of know-it-alls who face zero consequences if their nostrums fail. So nice to have the luxury of carping from the far bleachers while others are on the field doing the heavy lifting.

So I think I'll just laugh at your handwringing, enjoy my cuppa joe, and support GWB on this one to the fullest extent possible.

[flynmudd]

God bless you and your family, thank your husband for his honor and service to his country. I have no idea how this is going to affect my son, but I'm pissed about this like nothing every before. I just don't understand why the dems are doing this. Prayers up for your husband and all the other troops in and out of the sandbox.

[EndWelfareToday]

Does anyone have a list of who voted how on this?