Bush Presses Congress On Spending, Health Bills

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Wednesday prodded lawmakers to move forward on a host of pending issues, including the fiscal 2008 budget, children's health insurance, measures to help struggling homeowners and outstanding trade pacts.

At a White House news conference, Mr. Bush also said it wasn't in Turkey's interest to send more troops into Iraq -- the prospect of which has shaken oil markets.

"We are making it very clear to Turkey that we don't think it is in their interest to send troops into Iraq," Mr. Bush said shortly before Turkey's Parliament approved a cross-border military offensive against the Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq (see related article1).

"Actually they have troops already stationed in Iraq and they've had troops stationed there for quite a while," he said. "We don't think it's in their interest to send more troops in."

Mr. Bush said he talked about Turkey with Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, on Wednesday. "What I'm telling you is that there's a lot of dialogue going on and that's positive," he said.

Taking on Congress about another Turkey-related matter, Mr. Bush also said it would be counterproductive for lawmakers to pass a resolution -- fiercely opposed by Turkey -- labeling the mass killings of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire a century ago as "genocide."

"With all these pressing responsibilities, one thing Congress should not be doing is sorting out the historical record of the Ottoman Empire," Mr. Bush said, adding that "Congress has more important work to do than antagonizing" an important ally in the Muslim world.

Great press conference. Dubya has to eventually address the economy vis a vis Congressional inaction as well as efforts to spend, spend and spend.

1 posted on 10/17/2007 12:02:24 PM PDT by shrinkermd

I would’ve said....

“Stop writing letters to conservative talk show hosts and get back to doing your effing jobs.”

2 posted on 10/17/2007 12:05:28 PM PDT by Slapshot68

wow, breaking news!!!!!!

3 posted on 10/17/2007 12:09:57 PM PDT by misterrob (Six down, 13 more til the Pats win the SB again.)

“Stop writing letters to conservative talk show hosts and get back to doing your effing jobs.”

Speaking of which, Dingy's letter is now at $65,100 with two days to go:

4 posted on 10/17/2007 12:14:04 PM PDT by Miss Didi ("Good heavens, woman, this is a war not a garden party!" Dr. Meade, Gone with the Wind)

It’s worth a hundred grand. Not because it has all those losers’ signatures on it ... but because it’s been touched by Rush Limbaugh’s formerly nicotin-stained fingers.

5 posted on 10/17/2007 12:19:03 PM PDT by Califelephant

It’s worth a hundred grand. Not because it has all those losers’ signatures on it ... but because it’s been touched by Rush Limbaugh’s formerly nicotin-stained fingers.

And flown on EIB One inside the top secret Halliburton briefcase.

6 posted on 10/17/2007 12:50:43 PM PDT by Miss Didi ("Good heavens, woman, this is a war not a garden party!" Dr. Meade, Gone with the Wind)

Current bid = US $100,000.00

7 posted on 10/17/2007 1:13:35 PM PDT by Miss Didi ("Good heavens, woman, this is a war not a garden party!" Dr. Meade, Gone with the Wind)

LOL ... told ya!!!

8 posted on 10/17/2007 1:14:49 PM PDT by Califelephant

Wow.

And we have two more days to go.

9 posted on 10/17/2007 1:16:41 PM PDT by Badeye ('Ron Paul joined 88 Democrats.....")

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