President Bush today tackled an array of subjects in a press conference with reporters.
The topics included: the state of the U.S. economy, including high energy and food prices; the progress of military operations in Afghanistan; the plans for extra spending on the war in Iraq; presidential relations with Congress; the decision by former President Jimmy Carter to meet with leaders of the terrorist group Hamas; and Bush’s expectations of how the next president will approach the war on terror.
President Bush revived his messageofChristmasespast in his radio address this week by recognizing the sacrifices made by U.S. troops serving abroad and away from their families during the holidays.
“The husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters of those in the military serve our country as well,” Bush said. “For many of them, service means packing up their belongings and moving on short notice, or living in a different country for a time, or missing a family member as he or she serves overseas. And this Christmas, many will sit down for dinner thinking of their loved ones half a world away.”
Democrats, meanwhile, focused on their accomplishments after one year in the majority of Congress. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada boasted that “Democrats have put working families first, given our troops the care and support they deserve, and made our country safer.”
He also didn’t exactly evoke a holiday spirit of peace and good will toward Bush and Republicans in Congress. Reid blamed them for standing in the way of the Democratic agenda.
“We tried to give health care to 10 million poor children, but Republicans sided with tobacco companies,” he said. “We tried to promote cleaner energy sources … but Republicans sided with the big oil companies. We chose to invest in priorities here at home, but Republicans chose to send billions more of your taxpayer dollars to Iraq.”
If all goes as planned, the first session of the 110th Congress will end next week, but Congress still hasn’t finalized emergency funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afganistan. That reality continues to irritate President Bush.
“Congress has had plenty of time to consider the emergency funds our troops need. Time is running out,” Bush said in his weekly radio address. “And Pentagon officials say that continued delay in funding our troops will soon begin to have a damaging impact on the operations of our military. Congress’ responsibility is clear: They must deliver vital funds for our troops — and they must do it before they leave for Christmas.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California focused on a completely different subject in the Democratic address: energy legislation passed by her chamber. She touted provisions to improve fuel-efficiecy standards for vehicles and to foster the U.S. biofuels industry, among other things. The goal is to make the United States less dependent on foreign oil as an energy source.
“Our energy bill will strengthen our national security, protect consumers from spiraling energy prices, create jobs, and meet our moral obligation to preserve our planet for future generations,” Pelosi said. “It will tell the world that America is prepared to become a leader in addressing the global climate crisis.”
President Bush today outlined a legislative wish list for Congress to address between now and Christmas once lawmakers return to work next week, and emergency funding for U.S. troops is at the top of the list.
Bush warned that Defense Secretary Robert Gates is prepared to layoff civilian Defense Department employees, terminate contracts and reduce operations at other U.S. bases across the globe if necessary to give U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq what they need until Congress provides enough money. “Military leaders have told us what they need to do their job,” he said in his weekly radio address. “It is time for the Congress to do its job and give our troops what they need to protect America.”
The president’s other priorities include an update to and extension of the law that governs anti-terrorism surveillance, a change to the alternative minimum tax that is aimed at ensuring that all Americans pay at least some taxes, and finalizing a fiscal 2008 budget that isn’t loaded with “earmarks and pork-barrel spending.”
President Bush dedicated his post-Thanksgiving weekly radio address to remembering patriots both past and present — the Pilgrims who discovered America and modern-day military men like Navy SEAL Michael Murphy, who died in Afghanistan in 2005 to save his fellow-countrymen.
Bush also praised emergency responders and “faith-based and community volunteers.” He ended the address with what some Americans would consider politically incorrect thanks to God. “We are grateful to the Author of Life who blessed our nation’s first days, who strengthened America in times of trial and war, and who watches over us today.”
Democrats chose retired Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, at one time the top U.S. commander of troops in Iraq, to speak for them this week, once again attacking the Bush administration’s policies in Iraq.
“Although we cannot withdraw precipitously from Iraq,” Sanchez said, “we must move rapidly to minimize our force presence. Shifting the primary mission of our troops away from combat will lead to a smaller U.S. military presence, and a greater obligation on the part of the Iraqis to take the lead in solving their country’s problems.”
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