Pelosi Shoots, Scores. No, Obey Blocks

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

GI Bill UPDATE: From someone who knows.

While it is true that the GI Bill expansion is a great idea, Senator Webb's bill ISN'T. Here's why: the benefits begin to kick in after- get this- 90 days. The Pentagon believes, and research confirms, that the retention effects of such a policy far outweigh the recruitment effects. In other words, your smartest, most motivated guys (who want to go to college) end up flushing the Army after one term of enlistment. The alternative bill, the McCain/Burr/Graham bill, has the max benefit kicking in after 6 years of service, largely dodging the negative hit on retention that the Webb bill has.

There is a real possibility that something like Webb (S22) would put a real strain on the all-volunteer force.

Just when I was about to give Nancy Pelosi some credit for recognizing their anti-victory stance wasn't helping the Democrats, along comes my state's David Obey to ensure the cause of  defeat stays in play.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defying President Bush's demand to send him a clean war funding bill, House Democratic leaders unveiled legislation Tuesday that conditions the money on withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq and adds billions of dollars in domestic spending. Democrats unveiled legislation Tuesday tying war funding to a timeline for troop withrawal.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wisconsin, outlined a $183.7 billion package that combines money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for the remainder of 2008 with additional funding requested by the administration to continue military operations through early 2009.

Democrats insisted that their bill stays roughly within the overall spending limit set by the White House, but they included two major domestic items -- unemployment assistance and a new GI Bill that expands college benefits for veterans -- that would cost about $12 billion.

While overall adding these domestic programs is BS, the GI Bill expansion is a great idea and W should make it clear that it is the only add on he will allow to remain. Pelosi wants to avoid reminding America just how many in her party don't consider victory important and in too many cases would actually prefer a defeat to hobble our imperialist desires.

This is a smart move politically as Americans have made it clear, while they would love to bring the troops home today, they don't want to do so short of victory. Nancy knows that the more of her team that agitates for immediate withdrawal, the tougher  it gets for the Messiah and all of her Blue Dog Dems. Even though her machinations would ensure the troops have the money they need, I don't want her to get away with back burnering her party's spineless position on Iraq and our greater counterinsurgency against jihadist Islam.

The big question is whether the anti-war crowd, which is deeply, religiously invested in withdrawal can put the chances of Barry O above their own simmering hatred. I kinda doubt it and can't wait for the Convention in Denver, Woo Hoo!

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Pelosi Shoots, Scores. No, Obey Blocks

GI Bill UPDATE: From someone who knows.

While it is true that the GI Bill expansion is a great idea, Senator Webb's bill ISN'T. Here's why: the benefits begin to kick in after- get this- 90 days. The Pentagon believes, and research confirms, that the retention effects of such a policy far outweigh the recruitment effects. In other words, your smartest, most motivated guys (who want to go to college) end up flushing the Army after one term of enlistment. The alternative bill, the McCain/Burr/Graham bill, has the max benefit kicking in after 6 years of service, largely dodging the negative hit on retention that the Webb bill has.

There is a real possibility that something like Webb (S22) would put a real strain on the all-volunteer force.

Just when I was about to give Nancy Pelosi some credit for recognizing their anti-victory stance wasn't helping the Democrats, along comes my state's David Obey to ensure the cause of  defeat stays in play.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defying President Bush's demand to send him a clean war funding bill, House Democratic leaders unveiled legislation Tuesday that conditions the money on withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq and adds billions of dollars in domestic spending. Democrats unveiled legislation Tuesday tying war funding to a timeline for troop withrawal.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wisconsin, outlined a $183.7 billion package that combines money for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for the remainder of 2008 with additional funding requested by the administration to continue military operations through early 2009.

Democrats insisted that their bill stays roughly within the overall spending limit set by the White House, but they included two major domestic items -- unemployment assistance and a new GI Bill that expands college benefits for veterans -- that would cost about $12 billion.

While overall adding these domestic programs is BS, the GI Bill expansion is a great idea and W should make it clear that it is the only add on he will allow to remain. Pelosi wants to avoid reminding America just how many in her party don't consider victory important and in too many cases would actually prefer a defeat to hobble our imperialist desires.

This is a smart move politically as Americans have made it clear, while they would love to bring the troops home today, they don't want to do so short of victory. Nancy knows that the more of her team that agitates for immediate withdrawal, the tougher  it gets for the Messiah and all of her Blue Dog Dems. Even though her machinations would ensure the troops have the money they need, I don't want her to get away with back burnering her party's spineless position on Iraq and our greater counterinsurgency against jihadist Islam.

The big question is whether the anti-war crowd, which is deeply, religiously invested in withdrawal can put the chances of Barry O above their own simmering hatred. I kinda doubt it and can't wait for the Convention in Denver, Woo Hoo!

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