Someone please enlighten me on Bush's veto. What happens if...

[2008]

...neither Bush nor the Dems back down?

"Don't test my will."

Or ... what???

Wouldn't this be the quickest way to end the occupation of Iraq ... by refusing to compromise with Bush, thereby ceasing the funding of the occupation?

Come to think of it, why wouldn't Bush want this as well? This way, the occupation ends, troops return home, and he can "blame" it on the Democrats (when in reality it's an easy way for him to get out of the mess he's created while still appearing to save face).

[earthside]

1. No Bill--No Money

If the Congress does not send another appropriations bill to Bush -- then there is no money.

This is why if the Dems are clear and articulate about this controversy, everyone will understand that a Bush veto defunds the troops in Iraq.

The headline I'd like to see: "Bush's Veto Message to Troops: Drop Dead"

So, maybe the Dems should say to Bush after the veto, "Hey, we sent you a funding bill and you said no. So, now what are you going to do, George? Call us when you are ready to accept what a majority of the American people want: troops home. It's up to you."

[mudesi]

2. Precisely

The Democrats will get the blame from the mainstream media when the troops lose their funding. Everything about this is politics. Bush does not care about the troops one bit. His ego is much too important to him.

[2008]

3. But with a large majority of the public wanting the troops home...

...won't the majority of the public be glad it worked out this way?

[man4allcats]

4. I've thought about something along these same lines myself,

but I think ultimately Bush is just too arrogant to go that route even if it would get his neck out of the noose. I think for him the bottom line is, "Nobody defies ME!" All that matters to him is his ego. It's just hubris. He doesn't give a damn about right or wrong or what anybody else thinks. He's just a spoiled little juvenile brat in the body of a very politically powerful man, and that makes him dangerous. He will never listen to anyone else because like all children he must have his way no matter what. There is only one legal solution to this problem:

Impeach the impudent child Bush and his diabolical adult Cheney!

[bdamomma]

7. his a$$ would have been long gone if he lived in a eastern block country.

[man4allcats]

8. And don't we wish he DID live in an eastern block country

or any country other than this one?!

[flaminbats]

5. someone will eventually have to compromise..

Bush1 was forced to sign the Democratic budget in November of 1990 because he knew he would need the support of Democrats to pass a war resolution when Saddam invaded Kuwait.

basically we need to force his son to make the same agreement! He needs to accept a budget that doesn't renew his taxcuts and that doesn't fund an escalation in Iraq. But if he isn't willing to fund this war by signing the repeal of his taxcuts and to forgo an escalation of the war, then we shouldn't concede on this budget. when Bush vetoes this budget, Democrats shouldn't pass another until he decides to compromise.

if Democrats fail to make Bush concede on renewing his taxcuts and escalating the war in Iraq, then we'll be labeled in the next election as "tax and spend Democrats" who flip-flopped on Iraq! but if Democrats stand firm and force Bush to concede on this budget, Bush will be blamed for the failure of his taxcuts and not having an exit strategy for Iraq. not only did all the Democrats support this budget, but two Republicans as well. ultimately Democrats will only be forced to concede on a deadline for Iraq, but IMO the withdrawal of our troops will not happen under this administration.

[karlrschneider]

6. Bush doesn't know what he "wants"...he only knows what the military-industrial-complex

that gives him orders wants. Sure, he could extricate us and himself to a large degree by signing the bill but that
doesn't fit in with the PNAC plan to get control of Iraq's (and later the other M.E. state's) oil supplies. I know that sounds simplistic but the facts really are that simple.

[frogcycle]

9. the next bill has to be LESS to his liking, not more.

Tack on a "War tax" on defense contractors. And they need to send it up within a couple of days.

With a strong, highly public message, that the NEXT one will be even more onerous.

He wants to play chicken? call his fucking bluff.

Keep that up, rapid fire.

He is a bully and, as stated above, a spoiled brat.
There can be NO compromise with him. He has already ruled out compromise.

Challenge him directly, publicly. Pelosi should get in his face. Get him to blow a gasket. He'll crack. Make impeachment unnecessary. Or at least a "slam dunk."

In answert tothe original post, if the stalemate continues indefinitely, then the military HAS to start wrapping up. They'll need to "get out while the getting is good." Quit spending time, energy, and money on police activities and focus on escorting convoys of troops and materiel to Kuwait for airlift.

If they don't have orders to do that, or, worse, are ordered to sit there and starve, then THAT will be the impeachment grounds.

[hedgehog]

10. The only pundit to make this point was Garry Trudeau in Doonsbury

a few weeks back!