After weeks of tough negotiations and compromise, a coalition of congressional Democrats and Republicans voted (with a veto-proof majority) to deauthorize the Iraq War Resolution that was passed in October 2002. President Bush was quick to respond.
I am the commanding decider guy, and as the CDG, it is my choice whether or not to stay in Iraq. I have decided that we will stay to bring freedom on the families of the Iraqi People. Perhaps Congress has forgotten the lessons of 9/11, but I haven't. We will stay the course until the job is finished, whatever that may be.
When quesitoned about the President's comments, White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said:
The Constitution is very clear on this matter. Congress may have the responsibility of declaring war. But it cannot retract a declaration of war.
Several right-wing pundits also weighed in on the issue.
Bill O'Reilly
I'm not saying that we shouldn't leave Iraq. But it's downright unpatriotic to question the president during a time of war. So to the members of Congress who voted to deauthorize the war, I say this: Shut up!
George Will
The Bush administration makes an excellent point when it comes to the President's war powers. Congress can declare war, but the Constitution does not say anything about undeclaring war. Now pardon me while I go bask in the glow of my own self esteem.
Rush Limbaugh
If the hippies, homosexuals, femi-nazis and other members of the looney left think they can tell the president what to do, they've got another thing coming.
Ann Coulter
The members of Congress who voted to deauthorize the war are a bunch of faggots who hate America. I hope the terrorists kill them all.
James Dobson
Jesus wants this war to continue.
Thomas Friedman
We just need a couple more months to win this war.
Dick Cheney
The terrorists who attacked us on 9/11 are still in Iraq and we need to get them before they get us again. We are also still looking for Saddam's WMDs.