"Obviously, the administration would vehemently oppose and ultimately veto any legislation that looks like what was described today," senior Bush adviser Dan Bartlett told reporters as the president traveled to Brazil.Emphasis added.
Earlier, Democrats directly challenged Bush on the strategy for the war, outlining a plan to pull US troops out by late 2008 or much sooner if progress is not made in the violence-wracked country.
House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill, which includes a timetable for redeployment long resisted by the White House, would "hold the Iraqi government accountable" for improved security and political conditions.
"It calls for the strategic redeployment of US combat troops some time in 2008, only then can we refocus our military efforts on Afghanistan," which she said was an "unfinished and nearly forgotten war," she said.
From Bush's official airplane, Bartlett fired back: "What we're seeing here is an artificial, precipitous withdrawal from Iraq based on, unfortunately, politics in Washington, not conditions on the ground in Baghdad, Iraq."
Democrats never learn... Slow bleeding wasn't working, so they are back to redeployment. Americans want victory in Iraq...nothing short of victory. I don't know what is so difficult to understand about that concept.
And Nancy Pelosi couldn't be more wrong...all setting a timetable does is let the enemy know when they can take over. It gives the enemy hope, aid, and comfort... Others might call that treason...that would require that the Democrats actually understand what they are doing. I'll call it the usual Democrat politicization of the war at the expense of the American service men and women who have put it all on the line to protect this country.
