Blue Dog leader rejects Bush pitch for Iraq funds

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Ross: Bush asking for continued Iraq funding

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas Congressman Mike Ross says President Bush today made a pitch for more funding for the war in Iraq.

Ross was among 14 fiscally conservative Democrats who met with Republican Bush.

Two Texans attended today's meeting at the White House -- Congressmen Henry Cuellar and Gene Green.

Ross says Bush wants troops in place until there is a free and democratic Iraq.

Ross says he doesn't think that day will ever arrive for the Iraqis.

Ross says U-S troops can't -- quote -- "spend the next 35 years in Iraq fighting their civil war for them."

Ross says he supports benchmarks that were in the 124 (b) billion-dollar funding bill that Bush vetoed.

Ross is a co-chairman of the Blue Dogs.

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