REMEMBER, This is a Rant...It doesn't have to be rational! :-)
I don't know about y'all, but I've had about enough of this veto BS. Since Dubya is too damned stubborn (not to mention DUMB) to compromise on this (or anything else), we're gonna have to do an end-run around him.
How do we do that? We look for the weakest link in the chain...Then we SMASH it. Follow me below the fold and I'll explain.
If Bush wants a good 'ole fashion Texas Pissing Match, that's exactly what I'd give him. But in the process, I'd make some Republican legislators mess their drawers.
How? Easy....
Since Bush will never approve a spending bill with a timeline in it, we have to come up with a veto-proof majority. How do we do that? By squeezing the Republican legislators until they cry "UNCLE!". They are already feeling the heat of voter disapproval for 2008. Take away their pork-barrel project money, and their constituents will REALLY be pissed!
So if I were Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi, this is what I'd do. I would hold a press conference immediately, announcing that the next funding bill to be submitted will be for $2 Billion LESS than the last one, while still containing the timeline. I would further reiterate that, if Bush vetoes this spending bill, the next will cut out another $2 billion. and so on and so on, until we reach a "compromise".
"But you're punishing the troops by cutting their funding!" the Repugs will cry. Not So. You see, the difference will be made up by reallocating funds from REPUBLICAN Pork Barrel "Earmarks"...Enter the soiled undies.
So it becomes a matter of, "How much do you want to lose, Mr. Republican Senators?" How much pain are they willing to endure before they get onboard and get with the program? My guess is not very long.
Of course this would all require a SPINE on the part of Democrats. Something of a rare commodity in recent years. Will it happen? Doubtful. We don't have a Tom DeLay on our side to whip people into submission. But you have to admit, it would sure be good theater! ;-)
Are you listening Nancy?