[Voltage]

Isn’t this the perfect opportunity for Bush to veto the bill and read out the most ridiculous earmarks by name of the ‘owner’.

He could drive down congress's approval even further..show their claim to reform to be a sham, and such. It's a plus for Bush, all he has to do is take advantage of what is being offered to him on a silver plater.

I simply don't understand why Bush doesn't fight. He has the podium if he want's to use it.

[Lurker]

He has the podium if he want's to use it.

The answer is in your question.

L

[af_vet_rr]

I simply don't understand why Bush doesn't fight. He has the podium if he want's to use it.

Because he would look foolish at this point - he had ample opportunity to veto tons of pork when Republicans controlled Congress, and he refused to use his veto, and to start now would make him look bad, especially since he couldn't single Democrats out, without looking like a hypocrite (and they shouldn't be singled out, any politician should be singled out for pork spending, regardless of party).

Plus, you have to remember something, pork leads to campaign contributions, and politicians thrive on campaign contributions - if he vetoed any pork, he'd have some Republicans angry with him, and they'd complain to Martinez who would complain to Rove/Bush, and Bush needs all of the friends in Congress that he can get.