Republicans warn Bush of US fatigue over Iraq war

[babylonsister]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2077262,00.html

Republicans warn Bush of US fatigue over Iraq war

Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
Friday May 11, 2007
The Guardian

George Bush yesterday tried to buy a few more months for his Iraq war plan after a blunt warning by Republican congressmen that their patience would not last beyond September. The president's plea for time, so the 30,000 additional forces he sent to Iraq could produce results, came as the House of Representatives was expected to vote on a spending bill to cut funding for the war by late July unless there are clear signs of progress on the ground.

Mr Bush was prodded into action after moderate Republicans at a meeting in the White House told him that he could not count on the support of his party beyond September, when the commander of US forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, is to deliver his progress report.

In remarks at the Pentagon, Mr Bush tried to release the growing pressure for a withdrawal of US forces, and asked Americans repeatedly to hold on at least until the general delivers his assessment. "What we need to give Gen Petraeus is plenty of time to work," he told reporters. "This debate raging in Washington about how long we're going to be there - we haven't even got all our troops there."

more...

[rwheeler31]

1. This is a stupid move to play for time.

nt