Bush urges funding of troops in Iraq without timetables
Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/9/2007

US President George W. Bush's advisor, and National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe today urged the Cnngress to pass funding bills for US troops in Iraq without setting a timetable.

Johndroe said "it's now been 63 days since the President asked Congress to fund our troops. It's good to see the Senate returning to work this week; we hope the House comes back soon, because it is clear the Democrats in Congress need to sit down and negotiate with themselves first, before they talk to anybody else about getting legislation done -- legislation that doesn't, one, micromanage our generals in Baghdad and their strategy for success; two, set arbitrary timetables; three, make cuts to funding for programs that help the Iraqis achieve a political solution; four, include ridiculous, non-emergency pork barrel spending; and, five, doesn't cutoff all funding, as some senators have suggested -- a move that would only serve to mandate a defeat that will abandon the people of Iraq to terrorists and extremists and leave our troops in the field without the money they need."

Johndroe "Given that a number of senators and members are saying they will fully fund the troops, it would be unfortunate if they continue down the path that forces the President to reluctantly veto a bill. But if that is the only way to get this done, let's get it over with so our troops can get the funding they need."

In a press release today, US Senate majority leader Harry Reid said "Four years ago, our men and women fought bravely to capture the city of Baghdad and bring an end to the reign of a dictator. Today, they desperately need a post-war strategy that recognizes the political situation on the ground and removes them from policing a civil war. Democrats believe we must transition the mission in Iraq in order to increase America's security and more effectively fight terrorism. As we reflect on this Administration's failed policies of the past four years, we hope the President will join us in moving forward to change course in Iraq, empower Iraqis to govern their own land, and give our troops the resources they need and a strategy worthy of their sacrifices."

Reid was critical of Bush's policy saying earlier last week that "Democrats are continuing to fight to give our troops the resources they need, including a strategy for success worthy of their sacrifices. The President's new plan to follow up his ill-advised escalation by sending ill-prepared National Guard troops to Iraq is another misguided strategy neither our troops nor the American people can afford. Nearly 90 percent of the Army National Guard has less than half the equipment they need to respond to a national crisis, and the war in Iraq is endangering our National Guard at home.

President Bush has done more than anyone to damage troop readiness, which are at levels not seen since the Vietnam War. While the Administration continually shifts its stance on when the escalation will end and when we will see results, our military is stretched too thin and our troops are returning to combat too soon and with too little training."

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