The Political Universe 10.23.07: Bush Wants More Money For War, and Walker Texas Ranger Endorses Mike Huckabee
Posted by Jason Easley on 10.23.2007
In today’s column, President requests more money for the war, while denying health insurance to low income kids. I wonder when the Democrats are going to get a backbone and really work to put an end to this madness. Plus, Walker, Texas Ranger thinks Mike Huckabee is the best choice in 2008, and Rudy Giuliani cancels his order for a Total Gym system.
President Bush asks Congress for $46 billion in additional war spending
Yesterday afternoon President Bush went before the television cameras and asked Congress to approve an addition $46 billion in supplementary spending for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Parts of this war are complicated, but one part is not, and that is America should do what it takes to support our troops and protect our people. And today, I sent Congress an updated supplemental war funding request that will do just that," Bush said.
Bush defended a war price tag that is expected to reach at least $200 billion for next year alone. "The majority of the supplemental funding is for day-to-day -- is for day-to-day military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill provides for basic needs like bullets and body armor, protection against IEDs, and Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicles. It also funds training missions, vital embassy programs, improvements in Iraq and Iraqi security forces, and intelligence operations that protect our troops. These are urgent military necessities, and the supplemental was prepared in close consultation with our commanders on the ground."
The President said that Congress should approve the funds, even if they oppose the war, because the troops need them. "I know some in Congress are against the war, and are seeking ways to demonstrate that opposition. I recognize their position, and they should make their views heard. But they ought to make sure our troops have what it takes to succeed. Our men and women on the front lines should not be caught in the middle of partisan disagreements in Washington, D.C. I often hear that war critics oppose my decisions, but still support the troops. Well, I'll take them at their word -- and this is the chance to show it, that they support the troops."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid blasted the president's request. "President Bush wants us to rubber stamp another $200 billion in war funds – all borrowed money, none of it paid for – for next year alone. But when we sent a bipartisan CHIP bill to his desk to provide health insurance for the children of working families, the President called it too expensive. Let's remember, every dime of the money for CHIP was paid for. It's no wonder the American people are frustrated. Democrats continue to fight for America's priorities while the President continues investing only in his failed war strategy – even as most of his own Pentagon leadership is now on record saying that our ground forces are stretched dangerously thin because of the current Iraq strategy."
President Bush wants the request approved before the holidays, but top House Democrats have already said that they will not even take it up the matter until next year. I think that it is time for the Democrats to stand up, and give the American people a real signal that they are serious about ending this war by denying President Bush's request for more money. This war is burying our nation in debt that it will now take decades to get out of. For the President to make this request, after rejecting the children's health insurance program expansion, represents a slap in the face, and an insult to millions of Americans.
Democrats should show some backbone and draw a line in the sand, but I think we all know what they will really do. They will talk tough, but in the end give the president exactly what he wants, because they are terrified of looking unpatriotic in the eyes of the American people. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will vote no on the funding if they know that the appropriation will pass anyway. Politicians in both parties are allowing this war to wreck both the U.S. and Iraq because they lack the political courage to do what they know is right. It really is a sad and pathetic state of affairs.
The radio show
On Friday, Brian McLain and I did a 15 minute show talking about the presidential race in Iowa. Since Brian lives in Iowa he was able to give some unique perspective to what is going on in his state as it relates to the 2008 campaign. If you have a moment, you can either check it out at www.blogtalkradio.com/thepoliticaluniverse, or by using the media player below.
Walker, Texas Ranger endorses Mike Huckabee
In a commentary that he penned for the conservative news site World Net Daily, actor and Total Gym spokesman, Chuck Norris endorsed Mike Huckabee for the 2008 Republican nomination. Now before you start making jokes to yourself, I have to admit that Chuck wrote, or at least put his name on, a well written endorsement. "Though Giuliani might be savvy enough to lead people, Fred Thompson wise enough to wade through the tides of politics, McCain tough enough to fight terrorism and Romney business-minded enough to grow our economy, I believe the only one who has all of the characteristics to lead America forward into the future is ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee," Norris wrote.
Chuck actually laid out in the endorsement what drew him to Huckabee. "Part of our backward culture is reflected in the fact that we measure and value people by what they do, instead of first who they are. As a result, we nominate charisma, cast votes for articulation and repeatedly elect too many paper-thin corrupt politicians. Of course, I want a president who gets things done, but I first want one who has lived a life of integrity, commitment, truthfulness and respect. Mike is that man."
Norris also wrote something that in non-partisan way, I completely agree with. "It's time to quit choosing our leaders based solely upon charisma or one strong suite, and move back to being a culture which esteems and elects its leaders because of character and qualifications. It's substance, not pizzazz, we should want in a leader. Mike Huckabee is the real deal." I don't know if Huckabee is the real deal or not, but I do know that he, unlike the other GOP pretenders, offers his party a clean start. Huckabee is largely unknown, and when I look at his positions, I always think that he should be doing better with Republican voters nationally than what he is. If Huckabee could pull out a win in Iowa, he could become a serious contender.
I think the fact that Huckabee is an ordained minister, and his fresh face nice guy style would give Hillary Clinton some problems in a general election campaign, but the problem for Huckabee is money. According to his third quarter FEC filing, Huckabee only has $651,301 in cash on hand. Huckabee is only $47,810 in debt. I know the Paul supporters like to think of their candidate as the underdog candidate, but in terms of money and resources, a Huckabee win in Iowa would be a bigger surprise. The reality of this rigged process is that it has been set up to favor candidates like Romney, Giuliani, and Thompson. When the dust settles, one of these three will probably be the nominee. However Huckabee has made a national name for himself, and it would not be a surprise to see him chosen as the running mate of the Republican nominee.
When I first read the title of Dan's column, I thought it had something to do with Republicans removing the salt from ocean water, and then I went back and read it again. De-Stalinization and the Republican Party was probably a better idea for a column.
Since today is my birthday, I figured that I would give you guys the gift of a much shorter column. Have a great week, and we will be seeing each other again right here on Friday.
"Remember 20 years ago, 'Baby Jessica'? She was the little baby who was rescued after falling in a well. Huge story. She's almost 21 now and will soon be getting a million dollars from the funds set up with donations when she fell down the well. She's getting a million dollars. In a related story, earlier today, Senator John McCain threw himself down a well" --Jay Leno
"Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich caused some trouble this week, because he was campaigning in Red Sox territory while wearing a Cleveland Indians hat. Apparently, somebody walked up to Kucinich's wife and said, 'Tell your son to take off that baseball hat.'" --Conan O'Brien
"It turns out that Barack Obama and Vice President Dick Cheney are cousins. Honest to God, imagine how terrible it would be to find out that you're related to a cranky old guy. I mean, just ask my son." --David Letterman
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