House approves Iraq spending bill with timelines for troop withdrawal

Bush wants another $200 billion for his war in Iraq with no strings. By a 218 - 203 margin, the House just voted to give him only one fourth of that request, $50 billion, for four months -- with strings as The Gavel explained:

· Require the start of the redeployment of U.S. forces within 30 days of enactment, with a goal for completion of the redeployment by December 15, 2008.

· Require a transition in the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq from primarily combat to: force protection and diplomatic protection; limited support to Iraqi security forces; and targeted counterterrorism operations.

· Prohibit deployment of U.S. troops to Iraq who are not fully trained and fully equipped;

· Include an extension to all U.S. government agencies and personnel of the current prohibitions in the Army Field Manual against torture.

Bush already promised he'd veto this bill. It's his war. He started it. He wants all his money. And he'll spend it however he what he wants to. That's the way Bush had done it for six years -- and he doesn't think that should change now.

We know Mitch McConnell and his GOP colleagues will do everything possible to keep the war going. The question is whether the Democrats will cave -- again -- or whether they'll join the overwhelming majority of Americans who want to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq and an end to this war.

At today's press briefing, Dana Perino, speaking for the Bush administration, said all of those Americans who oppose the war and want it to end are "radical" and is "the height of irresponsibility." Actually, most Americans think Bush's war in Iraq is the height of irresponsibility. Those Bushies really are sick, sick, sick people.