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

[plain talk]

Well in Post #5 you said "I would have preferred he called them what they, who voted for this bill, are. Oh well, new tone and all...".

Yep, you took an unnecessary shot at the President which is puzzling since the President made a very strong statement.

[JRochelle]

Lets start a white flag campaign!

Send those lilylivered weenies a surrender flag!

$4.20 a doz.

http://www.tansclub.com/socobapa6.html

[TN4Liberty]

"I heard what he's calling the Democrats. "

And for the first time in my recollection, he is referring to them specifically as "democrats," rather than "some in congress" or some other non-specific description.

[zendari]

I'm not whining. Read post 302; I strongly support the President.

[shield]

Oh geezzz...my son-in-law just deployed to 'stan...

[hinckley buzzard]

The war issue alone is more than enough justification for the veto, why even verbally bring PORK into it?

I think he wants to impress on the populace that the 'rats are not taking the issue seriously, that this bill is not a good faith effort in any respect. Many casual onlookers will not get the significance of the arbitrary cutoff dates but they will understand that 25 million for spinach farmers has nothing to do with responsible foreign policy.

[hinckley buzzard]

THIS is when the President is at his best.

He has to keep it up, however. One good four minute rant delivered on a Friday afternoon will not suffice.

[Chena]

And for the first time in my recollection, he is referring to them specifically as "democrats," rather than "some in congress" or some other non-specific description.

It was good to hear him call a spade a spade. How fitting considering that the Democrats are digging themselves into a deep hole.

[hinckley buzzard]

He should have vetoed it, strongly and firmly and confidently purely on its attempts to influence the war... he didn't.. a huge political misstep on his part.

He can't veto a bill until it's been passed by both houses and sent to his desk. The Senate has not even begun to act on this. I would think a political genius like yourself would be aware of this simple fact.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

He can't veto a bill until it's been passed by both houses and sent to his desk. The Senate has not even begun to act on this.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Now there you go again !!

Worthless Facts !!

I'm All Korn~fooz~alated...

(snicker)...;0)

[FreeReign]

You are wearing rose colored glasses if you think for one minute that's how it will be portrayed in the MSM.

FOX NEWS

President Bush:A narrow majority in the House of Representatives abdicated 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.

President Bush: 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.

Link

I don't think you are right.

[upchuck]

GOE

[Miss Didi]

From Rush today:

RUSH: And the president turned around, a bunch of military people in uniform standing behind him, he turned around, he looked at them, you could see the look on his face, "I am your commander-in-chief. I have your concerns. I'm the one that's on your side." You could see that look on his face.

So that's it, April 15th. I mentioned this earlier in the program, and this is going to be very interesting, because I wouldn't put it past the Democrats to make sure there's not a bill the president can sign by April 15th and let the troops suffer the recriminations of underfunding, and then you see what the American people's reaction will be, because I don't care what their attitude on the war is, they don't want the troops underfunded and the American people do not want the US military to lose.

The Democrat Party does. The Democrat Party owns defeat. They don't care if we lose. All that matters to them is that they do two things: They placate the kooks on their fringe that dominate their base, and number two, set themselves up for what they think will be a massive electoral victory in 2008. And they think this is it.

They are becoming the McGovern party. They're setting themselves up for a humiliating landslide defeat somewhere down the road, and they don't even see it. They think they are recreating moments from their past of great virtue and valor, of great strength. Remember McGovern lost in a landslide to Richard Nixon. This is who they are. You could say this is who they are becoming, but they can't become who they already are. They own defeat. They have the deed. There have been no cosigners. The Democrat Party put no money down, they didn't borrow any money to own this defeat; they paid for it in full, up front. They continue to do so now.

Now, some people might say, "Ah, Rush, they'll back off now that they've made their statement." They're going to feel their oats. I'm going to guarantee you, the Drive-By Media, if you waste your time watching them this afternoon and tonight, they'll let you hear the same sound bites I just played of President Bush, and they'll talk about how he's out of it, the man is delusional, he's lost touch with reality, why, he doesn't even know what he's talking about.

It was 218-212, and without bribery and pork this bill would have never passed. The Democrats in the House are in disarray. This bill changes none of that, and they have put that on display for anybody who is watching to notice.

[river rat]

If the welfare leach pandering bastards in Congress won't vote the funds to fight the war ---- I'd love to see all Social Welfare and Pork dollars shifted to the folks who DESERVE it ---- the MILITARY..

Let the Democrats explain to their lazy ass brain dead fornicating breeders why their methadone and welfare won't be available until the war is won....

F'em

Semper Fi

[MeekOneGOP]

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 .....

STICK TO YOUR GUNS ON THIS ONE, MY MAN !!!!

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And my reaction to this BS by the 'RATS is that I am (as usual) SHOCKED by NOT SURPRISED by their vote on this. I just wish that Dubya had a little bit of Lincoln in him and would call these traitors what they are !!!!

[MeekOneGOP]

whoops! That s/b "SHOCKED BUT NOT SURPRISED" ....

[potlatch]

I just wish that Dubya had a little bit of Lincoln in him and would call these traitors what they are !!!!

Some firm resolve instead of 'new tone' would suit us all Meek!!

[MeekOneGOP]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA - MEN !!!!!!!

[potlatch]

Lol, I'll bump that!

[MeekOneGOP]

And it's WAAAAAY late for me.

G'night all !! :^D