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.

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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

[Ciexyz]

Well said, Mr. President.

[zendari]

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.

W slammed it out of the park with this one.

[ohioWfan]

I'm not attacking anyone, I'm just calling it as I see it.

You just said that the Commander in Chief doesn't care about the safety of the country, and now you're trying to weasel out of it by saying you're not 'attacking anyone??'

You Bush bashers certainly lack courage, don't you?

You can't even stay strong on the Internet with absolutely NO risk.

What a joke that you belittle the President's courage when he is standing in the gap between us and evil.

What a joke you all are.

[DouglasKC]

Great response. But he needs to call them what they are. Cheese eating surrender monkeys.

[zendari]

The Democrats in Congress (ie Robert Byrd) have been porking long before Bush came into office.

They can't say anything about that with a straight face.

[zendari]

By vetoing this bill, he would only be doing what he should have done since first setting foot in the White House. If the pork wasn't tied to war funding, I have serious doubts he would veto it this go around.

Probably not. This president has never cared much about government spending.

That said, he's no more responsible for that then the Congresspeople who actually create the pork in the first place. But for whatever reason he takes the blame.

[ClancyJ]

Will you never learn.

There will be bashing of Bush by the media if he got up there and just hummed.

So, are we supposed to only hum because they might like that better?

I say fight them - let the world know they are buying votes with taxpayer dollars to make a war funding bill double in cost to the public. Let them explain that when they ask for a tax increase for education and defense.

Good for GWB. I want to see more and more of this ire directed against the dems.

Of course, again he is the only one fighting the terrorists, the wars, the government, while all of your nitpick and withdraw support.

[ClancyJ]

Gee, you understand that the media is against Bush.

Way to go. You know it just happens that they are always against Bush.

Big dang deal.

Get over it. We act and ignore their petty nonsense.

I'm and sick to death of cowering before the media gods.

[ClancyJ]

Gee - another whiner here. Can't stand to see a thread where there are good comments on Bush can you?

Bush did a great job today and I just hope he stands firm - we have absolutely nothing to lose. We have already lost it.

Hang in there President Bush.

[no-to-illegals]

there have been plenty of nuts to go around lately....
I've read 'From One-Many'....I agree with him/her/it very often, so I guess I'm a supporter of a coward too, who supports our military....

My-My-My-what a day!

[Carling]

$29 billion in pork for the entire 2006 Congress; $24 billion in one bill by the party that promised to clean up earmarks. This Dem mistake will have some 2008 effects on cetain districts.

[ohioWfan]

Not one of the people whom From One called 'nut cases' ARE nutcases.

All he/she had to do is admit that he/she had inappopriately criticized the President, rather than deny it and lash out against the many people who didn't like it.

But then, it would have taken courage..........wouldn't it?

[no-to-illegals]

I've read this thread and do not see the thoughts (typed) on this thread in the way you portray....We will have to agree to disagree.

[Redbob]

So this is what it takes for him to show just a little backbone, and to slap down the sort of pork spending that lost his Party the majority in the House and Senate.

Too little, too late.

[ohioWfan]

Would that be because you do not have a problem with criticizing our Commander in Chief as he stands in strong support of our troops?

Or is it that you do not see the 'thoughts on this thread' the way that many of us do?

The problem is that many of us have had enough. We have seen mindless bashing, and belittling of our President that goes far beyond mere disagreement.

We are at war. Our Commander in Chief has been steadfast in commitment to our troops and like a rock in leading them in the fight against terrorists.

Yet some, emboldened by anonymity and false bravado, level false and sometimes unthinkable accusations at him with no consequence.

On this thread you will see just a handful of the many of us who are saying "ENOUGH!"

Support the President and his troops, and recognize that the Democrats are the enemy, and not the man who has wept with and struggled for and supported our troops through thick and thin.

Enough.

[ohioWfan]

Tell us all how you have stood against terrorists and led a war against evil, stood for what is right against all forms of attack.

Tell us how YOU have a 'backbone' and the President, the Commander in Chief, and the Leader of the Free World, has none.

You are a joke, Redbob. Nothing more than a joke.

[no-to-illegals]

my goodness, ohioWfan, give it a rest....please.
if you want to go looking for people to fight with...
count me out.....okay?

[Christian4Bush]

from DU:

Lest we forget, WMDs were just a ruse by Bush Admin!!!
by csco_to_50 [4 minutes ago] Not rated 0 4 minutes ago
by csco_to_50

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I guess this charlie foxtrot doesn't realize that the president who spoke about the dangers of WMD said it in 1998...even those in Rio Linda know GW wasn't in the White House yet...

[ohioWfan]

Give what a rest? I'm not picking a fight with you.

I'm giving you the reality of the incessant, mindless, cowardly attacks on the President on this forum lately.

You said you don't 'see' things as I do. I'm just explaining what you don't understand.

Forgive me if I offended you. I am not alone in having reached a critical mass here.

[no-to-illegals]

okay you are at critical mass....
take a break....take two asprins....
come back another day....whatever
I don't want to fight....okay?