The public is actually siding with Congress?

[Little Raven]

As Bush's rating dipped into the 30s last year, I remember thinking that he could take comfort in the fact that even though the public thought he was awful, they always rated Congress even worse. (seriously...Congressional support was as low as 25% in some polls)

And while I'm no fan of Iraq, even I recognized the spending bill Congress sent to Bush last week for what it was: a naked attempt to score some political points. Unlike Bozo, I didn't particularly worry that this would hurt Democratic chances in '08, because I didn't think Americans had that kind of attention span, but I did figure it was possible that Democrats might take a temporary hit as they set up for the big play in a year and a half.

Turns out I was wrong.

Most Americans disagree with President Bush's decision last week to veto the war funding bill that contained a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.

What do they think Congress should do now?

Former Sen. John Edwards said Congress shouldn't back down. "If we don't have the votes to override the veto, the Congress should send him another bill with the funding authority for the troops, with a timetable for withdrawal," the Democratic presidential candidate said.

The public agrees. In the new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Tuesday, 57 percent want Congress to pass another bill with funding and timetables. (Read the complete poll results -- PDF)

The poll surveyed 1,028 American adults between Friday and Sunday. It has a sampling error of 3 percentage points. (Interactive: Poll results)

...

A bill with benchmarks instead of a timetable gets slightly more public support, 61 percent.

Damn. If I were an Iraqi who was in any way associated with the coalition forces, I would start trying to leave the country NOW. Collaborators rarely fare well once the foreign power leaves.

 

[Quiet Sound]

I always saw this and the other examples of non-binding sound and fury to be nothing but "Well we tried!" electioneering for 2008.

 

[Little Raven]

I always saw this and the other examples of non-binding sound and fury to be nothing but "Well we tried!" electioneering for 2008.

That's just it...that's all we've seen so far. And generally speaking, the American public takes a pretty dim view of political hot air. If they're actually supporting using the budget as a means of scoring political points...well, let's just say that 2008 is going to be a really bad year for candidates who want to stay in Iraq.

 

[JollyRoger]

Yep - the current fight is whether we will redo this in July or September. Rinse and repeat until enough Republics get the message. They can get that message anytime between now and November 2008 - it is entirely their choice.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

does it mean the terrorist have won when 57% of americans are cut n' runners?

 

[JollyRoger]

does it mean the terrorist have won when 57% of americans are cut n' runners?

Yep, when the % of Americans who want to cut and run = the % of days Bush took as vacation before 9/11, the terrorists have won.

 

[Mark1031]

Why would this be a surprise? Polling has been this way for quite some time. I think backing down would be a mistake for the Dems. They should be laying the groundwork for avoiding what Bozo fears so much, pictures of soldiers w/o bullets or whatever. It should be easy enough. “We gave Bush the $$ for the war, we can be flexible with dates/contingencies but there will be a timeline. If he doesn’t sign it would be the height of irresponsibility to the troops as HE would be cutting them off and forcing a disordered and precipitous withdrawal”

 

[Zarn]

Time table = Increased insurgent and terrorist activities. Guaranteed.

My cousin is going back, too.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Time table = Increased insurgent and terrorist activities. Guaranteed.

proof please.

 

[Zarn]

proof please.

A timetable is an opportunity to kill the enemy on the run. It has been done in Vietnam.

 

[Kozmos]

Time table = Increased insurgent and terrorist activities. Guaranteed.

My cousin is going back, too.

Ummm no. More like lay low and gather strength so you can unleash a well planned attack when the enemy leaves.

 

[Tycoon101]

Well...

*Ahem*


Sayonara, Iraq! Sorry that we just had to shoot out of here so fast, it's just tha- *Is yanked out of Iraq by the ignorant masses*

Days later, casualties skyrocket.

 

[Erik Mesoy]

Sayonara, Iraq! Sorry that we just had to shoot out of here so fast, it's just tha- *Is yanked out of Iraq by the ignorant masses*

Days later, casualties skyrocket.

As depicted here?
Alternatively:

Hey, when are you gonna understand that we're liberating you? *stirs up more violence, creates more terrorists, continues to call dissenters ignorant*

Casualties continue to rise and rise and rise.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

A timetable is an opportunity to kill the enemy on the run. It has been done in Vietnam.

send in more as we're leaving. a sort of retreat guard.

regardless, do you think casualties will ever fall as we stay in? according to your logic, we're going to suffer when we leave no matter what.

 

[GenMarshall]

Well since we kicked out a majority of thoes Republicans, the public has started to side the more!

 

[Xenocrates]

Maybe Congress has started to side with the public? Bloody traitors!

 

[Xenocrates]

Bush's Iraq policy:

Lady Macbeth: Things without all remedy
Should be without regard; what's done is done.

I am in blood
Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er.

As two spent swimmers that do cling together

And choke their art.

Sorry is the hardest word!

 

[AL_DA_GREAT]

I have a good idea for a time table. Get out by the end of the week.

 

[Tycoon101]

Well since we kicked out a majority of thoes Republicans, the public has started to side the more!

Just a matter that Republicans felt no need to vote. I know this for a fact; I was working right at the polls. Republicans were not going out to vote for Republicans, last election.

 

[Miles Teg]

Just a matter that Republicans felt no need to vote. I know this for a fact; I was working right at the polls. Republicans were not going out to vote for Republicans, last election.

You misinterpret, they were disgusted with both candidates