A “Compromise” With 2008 Political Implications
Right everyone is saying that there will be no “compromise” on the Supplemental:
Yet Democrats warned that they are not ready to compromise on their central dispute with Bush: that U.S. combat troop withdrawals should begin this year and conclude in 2008. The Senate bill set the goal of removing combat troops within a year, although some forces would be allowed to remain to conduct security, training and counterterrorism missions. The House bill would set a firm Aug. 31, 2008, date for complete withdrawal, with narrow exceptions.
At some point, there will be compromise and here is a very interesting idea that could have severe political ramifications to Republicans that are seeking re-election:
Conservative Democrats also discussed alternatives for providing troop funding, if the standoff proves to be prolonged. For instance, Reps. Dennis Cardoza (Calif.) and Mike Ross (Ark.) suggested that the war funding be parceled out in three-month increments to force Bush to keep coming back for more.
If the parcels are “clean” how could Bush justify a veto?
But, this may be exactly what the “interesting” polling indicates the public “wants.”
— Oak Leaf