Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Houston Chronicle
March 2, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Vice President Dick Cheney demanded Thursday night that the Democratic-controlled Congress support President Bush's military buildup "on time and in full."
Cheney said that a too-soon withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq could send victorious militants spreading out, with some flocking to Afghanistan to fight alongside a regrouping Taliban.
Speaking before a receptive audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the vice president — just back from a trip that included unannounced stops in Afghanistan and Pakistan — sharply criticized efforts by some Democrats to restrict funds for additional troops.
Though noting that the House had already passed a nonbinding resolution voicing opposition to Bush's Iraq policy, Cheney said that "very soon both houses of Congress will have to vote on a piece of legislation that is binding." The legislation would help pay for the additional 21,500 troops Bush is sending to Iraq.
"I sincerely hope the discussion this time will be about winning in Iraq, not about posturing on Capitol Hill. Anyone can say they support the troops, and we should take them at their word. But the proof will come when it's time to provide the money and the support," Cheney said. "We expect the House and the Senate to meet those needs on time and in full."
Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders, party officials said Thursday, have coalesced around legislation that would require troops to come home from Iraq within six months if that country's leaders fail to meet promises to help reduce violence.
The plan would retain a Democratic proposal prohibiting the deployment to Iraq of troops with insufficient rest or training or who already have served there for more than a year. Under the plan, such troops could only be sent to Iraq if Bush were to waive those standards and report to Congress each time.
The proposal is the latest attempt by Democrats to resolve divisions within the party on how far to go to scale back U.S. involvement in Iraq. Rep. James Moran, D-Va., said the latest version has the support of party leadership and he believes it has the best chance to attract broad support.
March 2, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Vice President Dick Cheney demanded Thursday night that the Democratic-controlled Congress support President Bush's military buildup "on time and in full."
Cheney said that a too-soon withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq could send victorious militants spreading out, with some flocking to Afghanistan to fight alongside a regrouping Taliban.
Speaking before a receptive audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the vice president — just back from a trip that included unannounced stops in Afghanistan and Pakistan — sharply criticized efforts by some Democrats to restrict funds for additional troops.
Though noting that the House had already passed a nonbinding resolution voicing opposition to Bush's Iraq policy, Cheney said that "very soon both houses of Congress will have to vote on a piece of legislation that is binding." The legislation would help pay for the additional 21,500 troops Bush is sending to Iraq.
"I sincerely hope the discussion this time will be about winning in Iraq, not about posturing on Capitol Hill. Anyone can say they support the troops, and we should take them at their word. But the proof will come when it's time to provide the money and the support," Cheney said. "We expect the House and the Senate to meet those needs on time and in full."
Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders, party officials said Thursday, have coalesced around legislation that would require troops to come home from Iraq within six months if that country's leaders fail to meet promises to help reduce violence.
The plan would retain a Democratic proposal prohibiting the deployment to Iraq of troops with insufficient rest or training or who already have served there for more than a year. Under the plan, such troops could only be sent to Iraq if Bush were to waive those standards and report to Congress each time.
The proposal is the latest attempt by Democrats to resolve divisions within the party on how far to go to scale back U.S. involvement in Iraq. Rep. James Moran, D-Va., said the latest version has the support of party leadership and he believes it has the best chance to attract broad support.