New Iraq Funding Bill Promised Veto Before Being Finalized

In their second war-funding bill, democrats are looking to incrementally finance the action in Iraq. Their new bill, which might not be ready for a vote until next week, funds the war for 2 months. This means that mid-summer Bush will have to go back to congress and look for the reminder of the funds. This move is meant to give Congress time to look for veto-proof margins to end the war, while supporting the troops that are in harm’s way. Bush wants at least until September, which has become the Republican timeline fore their support. They have indicated that if things are still looking grim, they’ll be looking for a ‘plan b’.

President Bush said this morning that the bill, that isn’t done, hasn’t been passed, and nearly no-one knows about, isn’t good enough and would be vetoed. Clearly he is looking for the congress to capitulate to his demands and fund another war-torn summer in Iraq. His early dismissal of this bill is designed to assert his agenda while hoping to kill the bill before the public becomes aware of it. Increasingly, the democrats need to make the case for this bill to the American public. Ultimately, they are the ones who will motivate Republicans to cross sides and support he bill. Congress as a whole is polling just as low and George W. and it is uncertain which party will get the blame for delaying funding if Bush and Congress can’t cooperate. Republicans, at least so far, aren’t certain they will pay a political price for not ending the war. When the American people change the party’s mind about that, this war will end.