Democratic Leadership on President Bush's Press Conference
"By ignoring the will of the American people and refusing to sit down and work with Congress to change direction in Iraq, the President in fact is engaging in unnecessary political theater and delaying funding for our troops in harm's way."It is increasingly clear that, when it comes to the war in Iraq, President Bush is out of touch with the views of the American people, who are demanding a charge in direction and a policy that is designed to succeed.
"After the deaths of more than 3,200 brave American soldiers and the expenditure of more than $400 billion, the President continues to insist that we pursue a failing stay-the-course strategy -- even as the Defense Department describes the situation on the ground in Iraq as 'civil war.'
"Given the Administration's record of failure in Iraq, Democrats in Congress refuse to simply rubber-stamp the President's latest funding request. Thus, for the first time in four years, we demand that the Iraqi government be held accountable and meet the benchmarks for progress that the President himself articulated in January, and we support a responsible redeployment that is supported by nearly 70 percent of Americans and endorsed by the bipartisan, independent Iraq Study Group.
"Let's be clear: Democrats are not attempting to micro-manage this war. We are attempting to change a policy that is failing and chart a new direction in Iraq.
"Finally, for the President to claim that Democrats are somehow responsible for the readiness issues faced by our armed forces is patently absurd. In fact, top military officials -- including General Peter Schoomaker -- have issued strong warning about the effects of this war on America's overall military readiness and our ability to respond to emerging strategic threats."
Democratic Whip James Clyburn:
"The American people clearly want a change in course in Iraq and they want to see their government leaders working together to make that change. Democrats have asked the President to come to the table and work through an emergency spending bill that establishes benchmarks for progress in Iraq, holds the Iraqi government accountable and provides funding for our troops in harms way. But it seems the President would prefer a showdown. We remain hopeful that the White House will accept our invitation, and work toward a solution. Americans want compromise not a cowboy-style showdown."
Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel:
"President Bush asserted again in the Rose Garden this morning that we're making progress in Iraq, and Senator McCain insists that Iraqi neighborhoods are safer. Meanwhile, the death toll for US troops continues to mount and the Iraqi government is failing to meet the President's own benchmarks for progress."We can't continue to pursue an Iraq policy based on fairy tales and rose-colored glasses. A majority of both the House and Senate have voted to change it. The President should join us."
Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee Louise Slaughter:
"Today, President Bush again ignored ongoing realities facing our armed forces, instead saying that Congress risked causing a situation his own policies have already created."This Administration's policies have pushed our military and its soldiers to the breaking point. Our soldiers have been forced to fight without proper training, equipment, and rest time and again. The supplemental spending bill passed by the House addresses that reality honestly and directly.
"Today, we learned that a unit in Texas will soon be sent back to Iraq after only 7 months of leave. It is an unparalleled departure from the Pentagon's own rest and training standards, and a direct result of the President's decision to escalate the war.
"And yet, President Bush stood before the nation this morning and said it was Congress who risked sending our troops into battle without proper equipment, training, and leave time.
"His statements directly contradict realities on the ground. The American people don't want our soldiers sent into a war zone without being given everything they need for success. If the President agrees, then he will work with Democrats in Congress to pass our supplemental spending legislation."