Cheney Speaks The Truth, Again
Vice President Dick Cheney said in Birmingham on Monday that the Democratic-controlled Congress must learn there is only one commander in chief, and he lives in the White House.
Criticizing congressional resolutions supporting the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, Cheney said, "The fact is that the United States military answers to one commander in chief in the White House, not 535 commanders in chief on Capitol Hill.
"We expect the House and Senate to meet the needs of our military on time, in full and with no strings attached," Cheney told an audience of about 500 at The Club
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"This action by the House of Representatives is irresponsible and sends exactly the wrong message to our enemy," Cheney said. "When members of the Congress speak not of victory but of time limits, deadlines or other arbitrary measures, they're telling the enemy to simply watch the clock and wait us out. It's time the self-appointed strategists on Capitol Hill understood a very simple concept: You cannot win a war if you tell the enemy when you're going to quit," Cheney said as the audience jumped to its feet applauding.
Cheney vowed Bush would veto any funding bill for the war containing a date for U.S. troop withdrawals. He also said it's clear that the votes are not there to override a presidential veto, and he called on Democrats to stop what he called "political theater" and send Bush a bill he can sign.
Cheney said that if Democrats believe they can delay funding for the war and force Bush to accept restrictions, they are wrong.
"It's nothing less than an attempt to force the president's hand," said Cheney. "They're going to find out they've misread George W. Bush."
While I appreciate the Vice-President stating these facts, The President also needs to start talking like this. He's got nothing to lose and everything to gain. His approval rating is down and he can't seek re-election. If he spends the rest of his term doing the things that need to be done to protect this country, and causing the Democrats to have fits, my view of him will be greatly improved.
