Well, Bush is threatening another veto. John Edwards responded to Bush's threats.
He released a statement today following the White House's announcement that the president would veto the new Congressional proposal on funding of the war in Iraq. The proposal would give President Bush half of the funds he requested for the war in Iraq and require a vote in July to determine whether to give the president the rest of the funds.
John Edwards says this proves that Bush "cannot be negotiated with, he cannot be compromised with."
"There is only one way to stop him - Congress must cut off funds to prolong the war."
More after the fold.
John Edwards:
"Earlier today I said the compromise under discussion is a concession, and now the president is already saying he'll veto it. The president has just demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that he cannot be negotiated with, he cannot be compromised with.
"He is dead set on pursuing his discredited strategy in Iraq without regard to the cost in lives, the evidence of its failure, or the clear will of the American people.
"There is only one way to stop him - Congress must cut off funds to prolong the war. That's the only real power they have to end this war. They passed a plan to support our troops and bring them home, and they should do it again.
"Nothing else will work. And if the president vetoes it - if he vetoes any bill that supports our troops but sets conditions - then it is his willful behavior alone that is standing in the way of what our troops need."
Edwards Statement On Bush Veto Threat Of New Iraq War Funding Proposal
I agree with John Edwards. Do you?
UPDATE I:
Just in case there is confusion, John Edwards' Plan calls for funding caps. To my knowledge he is not calling for a total cut of all funds. Here's part of the Edwards Plan he proposed earlier this year:
Senator John Edwards calls on Congress to cap funding and end the war by 2008
Says Bush is acting without authorization
Senator John Edwards believes that every day this war goes on it is worse for Iraq, worse for our troops and worse for our country. We cannot wait for the next president to end the war in 2009, we must act today.
Edwards has issued a comprehensive proposal to end the war in Iraq—starting today: It calls on Congress to use its funding power to block President Bush's escalation, immediately begin withdrawing troops by capping funding and requiring complete withdrawal of all combat troops in 12 to 18 months.
Edwards believes that the only solution to the situation in Iraq is a political solution, which requires all the parties in Iraq to take responsibility for the future of their country. Only when American combat troops leave Iraq will the Iraqi people, regional powers, and the entire international community be forced to find an inclusive political solution to end the sectarian violence and stabilize the nation.
John Edwards' Plan To End The War In Iraq
UPDATE II: Please sign the Petition:
We need massive public pressure right now calling on Congress to stand up to George Bush and end this war. Help us hit our goal of gathering 100,000 voices this week.
Will Congress revert to symbolic gestures and more endless extensions? Or will they use real funding power to send back a binding plan to end the war? The answer is up to you.
Petition Text:
As your constituent, I'm asking you to stand up to President Bush and not write another blank check for endless war in Iraq. The president has vetoed funding for the troops, and he's the only one responsible for blocking the resources they need. Please stand firm—support the troops with a plan to end the war and the funding they need to do it.
Tell Congress to Stand Up to Bush