White House treads carefully on Iraq

[rodeodance]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070209/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_congress_iraq

White House treads carefully on Iraq

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, Associated Press Writer 25 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The White House is attempting an awkward straddle as Congress debates resolutions critical of the Iraq war, determined to avoid a repudiation of President Bush yet reluctant to lobby too aggressively for fear of triggering a Republican backlash.


Bush's "ability to sway votes on issues like this has been severely diminished," says Sen. Lindsey Graham (news, bio, voting record), a South Carolina Republican and a supporter of the president's troop buildup. "I don't think people are going to cheerlead now."

At least a half-dozen Republican senators appear ready to vote for a nonbinding measure critical of Bush's decision to deploy an additional 21,500 troops. Sen. Arlen Specter (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., said he told the president after one recent White House meeting that he "didn't see the need for more troops. I raised my concerns, and he listened."

In the House, GOP leaders concede there will be defections next week when a vote is scheduled on a measure expressing disapproval of the troop increase.

It's a sign of the change in relations between congressional Republicans and the administration after nearly four years of war, the deaths of more than 3,000 U.S. military personnel and the midterm elections that gave Democrats control of the House and Senate.

[Floyd53]

1. Lets face it Bush gambled and we lost

I remember when Bush was tough and took charge. He didn't procrastinate, wondering how the job was going to get done, he made it happen. He was a quick draw, line in the sand type of guy. Many of his statements seemed brash and over the top, but who cared, this man needed room to work and we gave him all the room he needed. It was a gamble and at least 50% of the American people stood behind him. He laid 3000 lives on the line, rolled the dice, and came up snake eyes.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Hrmmm.

Didn't procrastinate...although after 911 it took 3 days before he appeared in public.

Didn't procrastinate...so he invaded Iraq which had nothing whatsoever to do with 911. Or al Qaeda. Or anything else.

Against the US majority, who in fact did not support bush's bullshit invasion of Iraq.

Drew a line in the sand; OBL "dead or alive" all the way to "I don't know and I don't really care where he is".

Flip-Flopper Extraordinaire "made it happen".

Hrmmmm.

[DrDan]

4. uh . . . "tough and took charge"????

"What did the Commander in Chief do? Nothing. He sat there. He sat for well over 5 minutes, doing nothing while 3,000 people were dying and the attacks were still in progress."

http://www.thememoryhole.org/911/bush-911.htm

[keta11]

5. That Bush is "tough and resolute" meme is no more -

the Emperor has no clothes!! Anytime I look at the buffoon, I wonder why any thinking person thinks his ignorant, arrogant attitude was good for America. He adopted that I am "tough and resolute" demeanor so he can curl up in the WH, watch ESPN and not go out into the world to do diplomacy.

I wasn't fooled.

[Solly Mack]

3. Wonder if the dead feel as if the WH has treaded carefully

Oh wait...what am I thinking? Bush is worried about his legacy...not the dying. Mustn't do anything that harms that legacy.... snort

[Bandit]

6. The dead don't feel anything but their loved ones sure do, just ask

Cindy....