Bush would veto budget bill without Iraq money: aide

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush would veto a broad budget bill under consideration by the U.S. Congress if it does not contain money for the Iraq war, his spokeswoman said.

"Because it does not have any money for our troops in Iraq, the president would veto the bill -- the House bill -- as presented," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters but she noted the bill also has to go through the Senate.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071217/pl_nm/congress_budget_bush_dc_1

According to all observers, this is a done deal. A kabuki dance fast-tracked for approval. It is going through a pre-agreed process (House to Senate to conference to Bush) to give political cover to everyone. It will contain earmarks for every district. It will contain money for Iraq.

This statement is just a reflection of how cocky Bush feels about his present dominating position that he can toy with the legislative branch. Unbelievable how Congressional leaders just yielded the high ground without a fight.

Bush will wait them out. A strategy that the Dems should be using instead., if they had any will or back bone.

repeat after me, "It's a shame that the president chose to be such an obstructionist. We passed a budget bill, he doesn't want to sign it into law. It's his problem. We're done here for the year."

To charges that congress isn't doing enough: "We're doing our constitutional duties, the president is the one who refuses to deal with this co-equal branch of government in good faith. We'll continue to send him budgets to fund the operations of this government, but we can't and we won't be held accountable if he chooses to veto every piece of legislation that comes across his desk."

The problem as I see it, congress-critters, is that you have the power NOT to put anything into law, especially if it's a budget bill. The president has to come to you if he wants money for this misconstrued war and that gives you more power than what you seem to want to use. It's time for you to yank the chain a little bit, otherwise why should we the voters give you even more power in the next election if you refuse to do the job we put you there for?

the budget at least get something out of it before you do. The current administration is doing it's best to stonewall your investigations into their activities. You can use the budget issue to force some concessions from them.

With your choices not to play hardball it almost seems like you don't WANT to be in control come 2009.

when he vetoes buy time on TV and tell the country he is again a liar. Because the only way they will get time on TV with their side of the story is to buy the time on TV.

but of course the dems will cave