Bush is feeling heat, offering half-measures to appease the growing dissent in the republican ranks

[bigtree]

May 10, 2007

WASHINGTON — President Bush, in a political shift, said Thursday that setting benchmarks to measure progress in Iraq "makes sense" in working out an agreement with Congress on a military spending bill.

"One message I have heard from people of both parties is that benchmarks makes sense, and I agree," he said. "It makes sense to make benchmarks part of our discussion on how to go forward."

Speaking to reporters after a briefing at the Pentagon, Bush said he had asked his chief of staff, Joshua Bolten, to "find common ground" with Congress on benchmarks.

. . . Bush said Iraqi leaders must move swiftly on some of the key benchmarks.

"They have got to speed up their clock," the president said. U.S. officials have urged Iraq's parliament to abandon plans to take a two-month vacation this summer.


report: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-10-bush-iraq_N.htm

[aquart]

1. Lip service. PR. Won't change a thing.

[bigtree]

4. If we don't capitalize on his statements we are just allowing the rest of his nonsense to dominate

I don't need to be told what a liar he is, but it doesn't take a genius to see that he's moving off of his position, partly because his party is moving. It's up to US to capitalize on this. This is no time for cynicism. We need to keep the pressure on.

[partylessinOhio]

2. That's not enough, sad little man. This is your baby not the Iraqiis.

We want the killing to stop. We want our troops withdrawn.

I want to see the women and children released from the prisons in Iraq that I just saw on CNN. What the hell have you done, Decider? You are worse than Saddam ever was.


Edit typo.

[Skidmore]

3. I tried to post this about an hour ago, but DU went kaboom when I

hit the submit button. It went all buggy on me and I took that as a sign from the gods. Anyway, sounds like * and the Republics are doing a little Kabuki theatre on us all. Between that breathless "scoop" from Sir Timmy of Russert yesterday and this article, it has contrived political BS stamped all over it. Don't pay attentiont to what they say, watch what they DO!

Since Judy whatsherface is too hot to touch for stenographic duties, Timmy is the chosen vessel. He's making a fine megaphone.

[bigtree]

5. Hold them to what they say!

Don't be distracted by the rest. Keep throwing this in his face. Make it so the public demands he follow through on his words.

[partylessinOhio]

6. You bet! * broke it and let him fix it. His war is illegal. Too many have died.

This cannot go on. This is not a game. It is not home or away as was promoted on CSpan this AM.

Democrats need to keep the pressure on and not fall for any Rove tricks!