Democrats Incompetent On Caving On War Funds

Here is yet another example of how when modern Democrats attempt to 'compromise' with the Bush administration on the war, they come out looking like chumps. A NY Times article on Saturday noted that-

Congressional leaders are assembling a $500 billion package to try to resolve an impasse by providing President Bush with unfettered money for the Iraq war in exchange for new spending on popular domestic programs.

While I am sure those domestic concerns do include some important spending (the article notes "health care, education, home heating programs, border enforcement and other initiatives" as examples), I think that for the leaders-- ie. Majority Leader Hoyer, and others-- this can be roughly translated as 'We need the money for our pet projects, so we are totally willing to cave on the war issue'.

More-

The decision to free some money for the war without a deadline or goal for withdrawal would represent a major concession by Democrats. They had earlier said they would not send Mr. Bush any more war money this year unless he accepted a change in Iraq policy.

But Democratic leaders now say they have concluded that a logjam of 11 appropriations bills cannot be broken without acceding to at least some of the president’s demand for more war money.

You know, I think I'm more offended by all this dancing around than the actual caving.

And how is the White House reacting to this compromise on the part of Democrats? Well-

Congressional Democrats are poised to hand President Bush upward of $50 billion in Iraq funding with no strings attached, and they've already offered to cut $11 billion from their domestic spending bills.

But in an unusual Saturday afternoon statement, the White House said it would veto any omnibus spending bill that exceeds the president's domestic spending request, a clear sign that the administration is unwilling to compromise on appropriations as the Christmas holidays approach. The House is expected to vote Tuesday on a $520 billion bill that wraps all domestic spending into one package, along with billions for Iraq with no troop withdrawal conditions, and the Senate is likely to follow with a vote later in the week.

Still, White House Budget Director Jim Nussle said Saturday it's too much money for domestic programs - and not enough for the war.

Translation?


In the end, President Bush will get his war money. Democrats will not get the domestic funding they need. You know... the typical compromise that centrists love so much.

Republicans play hardball and win. It's time Democrats give it a try. Voters respect courage.