In the wake of the passage of the non-binding House Resolution opposing Bush's escalation in Iraq, the reaction from the White House was predictable:
The House of Representatives has passed a resolution expressing disapproval of President Bush's plan to send reinforcements to Iraq. This plan enjoys the support of the Iraqi government and U.S. military leadership...
The President believes that the Congress should provide the full funding and flexibility our Armed Forces need to succeed in their mission to protect our country.
Well then, as long as the Iraqi government, the military leadership that Bush installed after removing the leadership that disagreed with the escalation, and Barney support the plan, never mind what Congress or the American people think. In other words, fund it and shut up.
Earlier today, during the White House press briefing, Tony Snow had this to say:
Again, members -- it's going to be interesting, because members of Congress have taken their own gamble here. They're gambling on failure -- some members, at least.
Well of course they are, because as Snow pointed out, when the escalation succeeds, these jokers aren't going to vote on a resolution that says they are wrong. After all:
...a lot of the things that people have been citing as benchmarks are taking place. And, therefore, it is important to keep an eye on the realities on the ground.
And what are some of those realities? Only two of the three promised Iraqi Brigades have arrived in Baghdad and their readiness is already being questioned, the so-called Iraqi-led offensive is anything but, and in the first two weeks of February, 48 U.S. troops and 879 Iraqis have been killed. And what about the reality that says 60% of the American people oppose the escalation and want a timetable for withdrawal set? Here's Snow ignoring that reality:
Q The source says that that -- the American public actually has seen what's going on as a Civil War, and says that that places the White House at the wrong end of public opinion.
MR. SNOW: The President understands public opinion and public impatience. The President also sees intelligence every day, and he has to assess what the long-term costs are going to be...Let me add further -- when you're talking about bringing forces in -- but it is an interesting switch. So what you're saying is, it's no longer support the troops, it's just get them out.
Q The question is, does the debate about supporting the troops obscure the real debate that Americans want to have, which is, increase the number there, or start to bring them home?
MR. SNOW: You know what, we'd love to bring them home. We'd love to bring them home. We'd love to -- no, let me continue. But what you have is somebody framing a debate as if the rest of the world didn't exist...
Q His point was that, yes, they understand all that.
MR. SNOW: No, the source -- no, the source's point is to ignore all that and not --
Q Well, actually, I had the conversation with the source, so the source's point was -- the source's point was, yes, they're aware, Americans are aware of all of that; they're looking at it and saying, you know what, we still want to bring the troops home.
MR. SNOW: You know what, the President -- the President understands that to operate under those circumstances is to invite bloodshed on a level that is absolutely appalling, not only in Iraq, but possibly in the United States of America...but the President also is absolutely determined to keep this country safe and do what's best for Americans. That is his job.
And so the message to Congress is to shut up and fund Bush's war, and for the American people, to shut up, let Bush protect you...and go shopping.
