The Reid/Pelosi letter to Bush: Will it matter?

[hiaasenrocks]

This is not a question about what the Democratic Congress should do, but rather what you think they will end up doing.

EDIT: Clarity on choice one. It previously said "cut funding" and I changed it to "vote against funding." If you were confused by the previous wording :think: , I apologize.

[bluewave]

1. They will not vote to fund it because the Prez can already do it

with the money he has. But the R's will break ranks on this and it will never come to a vote, if one is necessary. I think Bush is testing the water. He's found even Rethugs won't support it, so he'll water it down until it isn't viewed as so bad. Probably a surge of 2,000.

[hiaasenrocks]

2. He's going to have to go to the Congress for

more money. The Democrats have already said they are no longer going to fund the war with so-called "emergency spending." At some point, any escalation will require the Congress to fund it. That's how I understand it, anyway. If I'm wrong, I'm open to correction.

[hiaasenrocks]

14. Just reported on Hardball: Bush will need to ask for $100 Billion from Congress

to fund the escalation.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. They don't have a choice, the funds

have already been approved. They should, however, whine and stomp their feet a lot, just like the Republic's and make enough noise in the MSM to let the public know in no uncertain terms that this is more of the same old shit from Captn. Queeg Bush and that this insanity must be stopped!

[hiaasenrocks]

5. I'm not doubting you; I could be wrong. But could you source

that funding please? Thanks.

[RiverStone]

21. I thought we could vote too, but was corrected....

Yesterday - and if my correctors were accurate - its a damn shame we are powerless to stop BushCo's madness.

See:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3045135&mesg_id=3045135

[hiaasenrocks]

22. I think that's incorrect.

Unless every anchor, reporter and producer who work for MSNBC and CNN (where I've heard this) are wrong. I doubt it.

[grytpype]

4. If the Dems screw with the funding, they are going to own the outcome.

And the outcome is going to be a bloody nightmare no matter who does what.

There really is no way for the Dems to fix Iraq. Pulling out will be a disaster. Staying is a disaster.

[BuyingThyme]

6. The letter totally matters.

"The American people" want somebody to stand up and do the right thing. If they hear about such a letter, and it's discussed in a valid context, they're going to eat it up. They're going to think they did the right thing when they threw the Pukes out.

But it's gonna takes lots more letters to keep them on board.

[hiaasenrocks]

7. Writing a letter doesn't mean anything

unless they take action to back up the words in the letter. That's the point of my poll question.

[BuyingThyme]

10. It means something to me. I've been waiting for years for

Dem leaders to stand up and do the right thing, but they've been chickenshit enablers.

[hiaasenrocks]

13. Only their substantive actions (votes) will matter.

If they vote with Bush, for the escalation, the letter is meaningless. How else could that be viewed?

[Guaranteed]

19. It means a helluva lot. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

This letter is a big, big deal. It is very clear.

[hiaasenrocks]

20. Symbolically, sure.

But the substance will be in the vote.

[WiseButAngrySara]

8. The results of this poll make me too cynical to vote!

Sickening response by DUers so far.....

[hiaasenrocks]

9. Explain, please?

[WiseButAngrySara]

11. An explanation shouldn't be necessary! Look at your questions

and draw your conclusions. They will either be principled OR NOT. And as if your questions weren't cynical enough, look at the response so far!!!! The vote is No principles. Thanks for your vote of confidence......

[hiaasenrocks]

12. What's wrong with asking what people think

and what's wrong with answering it?

By the way, this confidence you speak of must come from those we elected. Obviously, people are skeptical of their will. We shall see what happens.

[Beaverhausen]

15. But you keep missing that they can't cut the funding

so your questions are actually bogus.

We have discussed the funding question here for the past few days.

[hiaasenrocks]

16. Bush will have to ask for $100 Billion.

That's what I've been hearing and it was again just discussed on Hardball.

[Beaverhausen]

17. Your poll question reads like they can cut what is already in the budget

at least to me it does. "Approving new funding" would be more accurate. Sorry if I'm being too nitpicky.

[hiaasenrocks]

18. I guess you're right, semantically.

I think people know what I mean, though. It appears that some do, at least.