At war's fourth: Bush v Democrats

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The White House, repeatedly asked if President Bush is planning anything to mark the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq on Monday, has suggested that the president is going about business as usual. On Monday, that business includes playing host to the 2006 NCAA football champions, the University of Florida "Gators'' -- who play, remember, in a field called The Swamp.

But the presdent has his eyes fixed on another date: The House's upcoming debate and vote on a war spending bill that includes timelines for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq which he White House pledges to veto -- as well as "porkbarrel'' spending which the White House is criticizing, such as $74 million for peanut storage. In his weekly radio address today, the president argues that "the consequences of imposing such an artificial timetable would be disastrous,'' and issues this challenge: "Many in Congress say they support the troops, and I believe them. Now they have a chance to show that support in deed, as well as in word.''

Sen. Patty Murray of Washington state, in delivering the Democratic Party's radio response today, says flatly: "My fellow Democrats and I believe it is time to bring this war to a close.''

Noting that the anniversary on Monday carries with it an American death toll of 3,200, Murray says: "Unfortunately, this is a reality President Bush and a majority of congressional Republicans still refuse to recognize. They want to stay the course. They want to ignore the lessons of the last four years. They want to commit America to an open-ended civil war. ''

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http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2007/03/at_wars_anniver.html

How Bush will commemorate four years of war.

“The White House, repeatedly asked if President Bush is planning anything to mark the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq on Monday, has suggested that the president is going about business as usual. On Monday, that business includes playing host to the 2006 NCAA football champions, the University of Florida ‘Gators.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/03/17/how-bush-will-commemorate-four-years-of-war/