The battle for the spin on the war funding bill

[cleveramerican]

the war funding bill has passed, a brave and courageous moment for all of them, and W has sworn to veto.Judging by the vote count there is not much chance of over-riding the veto

now comes the real politics of it, the battle over the spin.
Will W be blamed for cutting off funding with his veto? not supporting the troops?not heeding the "commanders on the ground"?
Or will he expertly shift the blame back to congressional democrats? Forcing them to send up a watered down version in the face of the WH spin machine?

the veto will stand and another funding bill will likely pass, forcing congressional democrats to start again after a couple of weeks on non-stop spin from each side.

I have no idea how it'll turn out but I can see a very high stakes show-down coming into focus.

in two weeks or so it'll be clear who gets the blame.

[Broadslidin]

1. If Ever There is A Person Who Could Be President, It is Nancy Pelosi....!!

:hide:

[The Magistrate]

2. The Administration Will Be Blamed, Sir

The withdrawl provision of the Bill is widely supported by the people of the country, and the administration has little remaining prestige, and loses more of it with each passing day.

Congressional Democrats need to hold together when this is vetoes, and pass essentially the same piece of legislation again. And again, and again, if necessary....

[underpants]

3. Exactly

Rove is playing in the margins that most people step over to discuss or consider this issue. They are banking on the Dems following the norm-that being that if it vetoed that they send up something that W approves of and that he will sign. Don't fall for it. Make him sign it or veto it as is. That is the great power that the Congress has-the POTUS can't submit bills he can only sign, veto, or pocket veto passed legislation.

[The Magistrate]

6. Quite Right, Sir

He has to take what is on offer, and there is no reason at all to send him anything he will like....

[NI4NI]

4. After the veto, pass the same bill again, but with even more money

added on for veterans care, or benefits, plus legislation that veteran hospitals or facilities will not be privatized.
When he vetos that one, pass the same bill again with even more money added on and legislation that raises combat pay for the troops to match Blackwater employees.

Screw You, Shrub!

[The Magistrate]

5. That Is The Ticket, Sir

Lard it up even a little more, and include the same conditions....

[cleveramerican]

7. It'll take real discipline to stop ...

a split between the more conservative dems and the more progressive ones. The pressure from dems who come from the redder states ,the ones who will face re-election, or the ones who worry about a primary challenge for their seat from a more conservative dem. Remember, Most of the class of '06 are pretty Conservative by DU standards

I hope it plays out like you say, but for the moment, all eyes are on the president,everyone waiting for a veto or a signature. This gives him control of the story for the moment, unless strong congressional leaders can retain control of the story by remaining strongly unified and strongly visible.

this is the stuff I love to see play out.

[The Magistrate]

8. Both Wings, Sir, Need To Show Solidarity

No excuse from either element is good enough for me in this matter. Some people just may have to lose seats to do the right thing by the country and the Party.