Gates Not Informed Of New $50 Billion Iraq Funding Request

[Robbien]

Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that President Bush will soon request an additional $50 billion from Congress for the war in Iraq. The request, which is expected to be made after Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testify to Congress about Iraq, “appears to reflect the view in the administration” that Bush’s escalation strategy “will last into the spring of 2008 and will not be shortened by Congress.”

On Fox News’ Special Report last night, host Brit Hume revealed that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was unaware of the White House’s plans. “A Pentagon spokesman said Defense Secretary Gates saw the published report this morning and said, quote, ‘this is news to me,’” reported Hume.

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/08/30/gates-marginzalized/

And this money is so urgently needed but the military big chief meatball knows nothing about it?

[soothsayer]

1. just getting all the spoils they can before they're out. bastards.

[TwilightGardener]

2. Strange. I am glad Gates is there--he seems a little bit honest. He might be the guy who keeps

us from disaster with Iran.

[Robbien]

6. The bombs will have been dropped and Iranian cities turned into rubble

and Gates will be standing there saying "What?".

[TwilightGardener]

7. Well, if they go around the SecDef, we've got some mighty big problems--

IN ADDITION to WW3.

[Robbien]

8. And you are just now noticing that fact?

This article plainly states Gates is out of the loop.

[Kagemusha]

3. Why should Bush bother to tell him? He's an employee.

He'll do what he's told.

Besides, the real purpose of this is to show off how the President is potent and the Democrats need Viagra.

[HereSince1628]

4. Maybe it was requested by Blackwater or Halliburton?

You know, the commanders on the ground!

[wryter2000]

5. Exactly

The money isn't for Gates. Duh. It's for Halliburton. :evilgrin:

[grytpype]

9. Bush doesn't trust Gates, he's one of Daddy's men...

GHWB got Gates in there to keep an eye on Junior.

[DeepModem Mom]

10. ???? nt

[seafan]

11. Does Rummy still have that desk and 7 staffers at DOD?

Wouldn't be be surprised.


Gates Marginalized By White House, Not Informed Of New $50 Billion Iraq Funding Request, August 30, 2007

[Robbien]

13. I keep wondering that myself and occasionally do Google searches

to see if anything pops up. So far nothing.

With Cheney on his Iranian war path, I expect that desk is still there.

[gasperc]

12. well mob normally doesn't tip it's hand

this protection money is usually requested in a hush hush fashion, but to those not listening let me be very clear FUCK YOU, PAY ME $50Billion