G.O.P. Moderates Warn Bush Iraq Must Show Gains

[jefferson_dem]

Source: New York Times

G.O.P. Moderates Warn Bush Iraq Must Show Gains
By CARL HULSE and JEFF ZELENY

WASHINGTON, May 9 — Moderate Republicans gave President Bush a blunt warning on his Iraq policy at a private White House meeting this week, telling the president that conditions needed to improve markedly by fall or more Republicans would desert him on the war.

The White House session demonstrated the grave unease many Republicans are feeling about the war, even as they continue to stand with the president against Democratic efforts to force a withdrawal of forces through a spending measure that has been a flash point for weeks.

Participants in the Tuesday meeting between Mr. Bush, senior administration officials and 11 members of a moderate bloc of House Republicans said the lawmakers were unusually candid with the president, telling him that public support for the war was crumbling in their swing districts.

One told Mr. Bush that voters back home favored a withdrawal even if it meant the war was judged a loss. Representative Tom Davis told Mr. Bush that the president’s approval rating was at 5 percent in one section of his northern Virginia district.

<SNIP>

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/washington/10cong.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

[bdamomma]

1. was this meeting before * said he would veto the House's

2nd bill. Now who believes * will listen, I, for one is very skeptical.

[calimary]

2. I think it may have been afterwards. tim russert described the meeting

as having happened at 2:30 pm local time (I think it was that). The story about bush vetoing any other bill from Congress that cut his allowance on the war had been out all day.

It's not the "Goldwater Moment" I'd prefer, but it's a start.

[hatrack]

3. Sounds awfully like a "deadline" to me! How about y'all? MUST show progress by SEPTEMBER!!!!!

Why, all the terrorists have to do is wait until September, aiming to break our resolve in the struggle to bring a peance, freance Middle East, and then claim Iraq for their freedom-hating selves.

Why do these moderate Republicans hate America?

Why do these moderate Republicans hate freedom?

Why are they emboldening the terrorists?

Huh? Answer me THAT, Mr. Grand Old Party!!!

[cliss]

4. 5% ?

Well, there's some news.

I'm willing to bet, it's like that in more places than just northern Virginia.

[GomezLives]

5. I think this story is something Rove fed to Russert.

I don't believe it.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. I call bullshit.

"GOP Moderates"? Please.

[rodeodance]

7. nbc evening news had a nice summary about this tonight. (cracks getting bigger)

[tabasco]

8. How big of them to expect gains now that almost 4000 soldiers are dead.

These asswipes don't give a shit about our soldiers.

They only care about getting re-elected.

[Canuckistanian]

9. That's a polite headline

Shrub just got reamed by his own party members.

This was no mere "warning".

[LiberalFighter]

10. Bush responded to the gang of 11 that Cheney is in Iraq to tell them not to go on vacation.