Pelosi gets tough (finally)

It's about damn time

"Under pressure to support the troops but end the war, House Democrats said Thursday they would send President Bush $50 billion for combat operations on the condition that he begin withdrawing troops from Iraq.

The proposal, similar to one Bush vetoed earlier this year, would identify a goal of ending combat entirely by December 2008. It would require that troops spend as much time at home as they do in combat, as well as effectively ban harsh interrogation techniques like waterboarding.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had hoped the House would vote as early as Friday on the bill. But late on Thursday, after meeting with liberal Democrats who were concerned the bill was too soft, she decided to put off debate until next week.

In a private caucus meeting earlier in the day, Pelosi told rank-and-file Democrats that the bill was their best shot at challenging Bush on the war. And if Bush rejected it, she said, she did not intend on sending him another war spending bill for the rest of the year."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071108/us-iraq/

...having an effect. :evilgrin:

NGU.

:evilgrin:

NGU.

"The new bill also would require all government interrogators rely on the Army's field manual. The Army's manual was updated in 2006 to specifically ban the military from using aggressive interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding."

I say about the time that Bush even hints that he'll veto it the Democrats will say "Dear me, we just don't have the votes" and give him whatever the hell he wants.

:shrug:

Of course, that doesn't mean it'll end the war. The Pentagon has a huge budget, will pull funds from elsewhere...:grr:

Calender or fiscal?

:shrug:

They'll want to get this wrapped up before they head home for the holidays.

I don't think she'll cave at the *first* sign of trouble. I think she'll act tough right up until Bush vetoes it, and then I think she'll cave and give him what he wants.

Pelosi gets tough? She's done nothing of the kind. She's said she might pass a bill that might lead to House Democrats maybe standing firm on an important issue for the first time in a year, unless the Republicans call them names, in which case they'll collapse like beached jellyfish, as usual.

And even then I'll chalk it up more to CYA (Cover Your Ass) as she's finally realizing that her stance may finally doom her future election chances. As she's PO'd many who once voted for her. Along with the rest of the country.

Keep in mind that passing legislation is not a schoolyard fight. Mostly it's just a matter of counting the votes. If you crave bold action and testosterone-crazed confrontation from politics, your life is going to be one big snit. I suggest you learn more about politics and get your action from boxing or wrestling.

professionally sixty four years ago, that was also known as the "Phantom"


Nasty Nancy at work, beating up an old president.

:eyes:

She is only tough when facing her constituents and other democratic voters that want accountability against the bush administration.

Democrats are in a tight spot. Since taking control of Congress in January, catapulted to power by voters frustrated by the war, they remain unable to pass veto-proof legislation demanding troops leave Iraq. Democrats are split on whether to continue paying for the unpopular war, with many saying Congress must provide the military with the money it needs so long as troops are in harm's way.

Without another spending bill for the war, the Defense Department would have to drain its less urgent accounts to keep the war afloat.

Several anti-war liberals said Thursday they were willing to get behind the measure, so long as Democrats don't send Bush the money anyway if the bill is vetoed.

"What I don't want to do is get on this merry-go-round where we try to end this war and negotiate it down to a blank check," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. "It's time to play hardball."