Another Snow Day, Another Snow Job

During Tuesday's WH press briefing mouthpiece Tony Snow reacted to questions about Democratic resolutions about the Iraq war being debated in congress this week. Notice how he tries to cloak any opposition to Bush's so-called surge as being against the troops:

Q Tony, to be more specific on that point, there were Republican talking points on the Hill floating around that say that this House resolution Steve mentioned will, "weaken troop morale," and will, "give comfort to the enemy." Do you agree with that assessment?

MR. SNOW: Don't know. I mean, I've always said that -- and the President has said that those are things that people have to take into account. Certainly, General Petraeus and Secretary Gates thought that they would have an adverse impact when it came to morale, and also that they may provide some comfort to the enemy. But, again, I think these are serious matters that people voting on the resolution are going to have to take into account.

Q But the resolution, itself, the first line says that the United States Armed Forces are serving and have served bravely and honorably in Iraq. I mean, it's very clearly stating that the supporters of this resolution -- there is one Republican who has signed on -- believe that U.S. soldiers have served bravely and honorably. So what's the --

MR. SNOW: Okay, so they don't want to provide the additional support for their mission, and that helps how?

Q That's for them to answer. But they say that --

MR. SNOW: That's what I'm saying.

Q Okay. Well, then what is your problem with it? Because specifically after saying that they believe U.S. soldiers have served bravely and honorably, it says Congress disapproves of the decision of President Bush announced on January 10th to deploy --

MR. SNOW: Well, we disagree, and the President is Commander-in-Chief, and he has the obligation to do what he thinks is best to make this country safe, and that's what he's doing.

Q Doesn't the Congress have the obligation to weigh in on it?

MR. SNOW: Congress has the option of it. Members of Congress can express themselves however they wish.

What it all comes down to is Bush not wanting to be publicly rebuked for his decision. It has nothing to do with these resolutions affecting "troop morale" or "emboldening the enemy". It's the effect on Bush's morale and emboldening the Democrats that Republicans have a problem with.