Clash in Washington

Pres. Bush followed through on his threat to veto the war funding bill because it put a date certain which he objected to from the beginning. Congress attempted an override but failed to get the necessary votes to do so. This was classic political theatre. Both sides not budging to see who will blink first. Congress believing they have the public on their side and seeing a weekened White House figured to score political points. Bush is too far into the War in Iraq to pull out now and believes in the policy of a free Iraq long term to stabilize the Middle East. Continuing to tolerate the former Saddam regime after 9/11 was viewed as a potential threat to the United States. Since he has no political worries to worry about he could afford to take a hit. Democrats were counting on a disgruntled public that while wants to win the war is clearly agitated with the progress. Democrats needed to make sure that they opposed the policy as strongly as they could while also supporting the troops. If the public perceived this as being opposed to the troops they would have immediately backed off.