Analysis: Democrats exact price from Bush for war

[babylonsister]

Analysis: Democrats exact price from Bush for war

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- They did not end the Iraq war or tackle $4-a-gallon gas. But the Democratic-run Congress created programs this year to educate veterans and feed and house the poor. Democrats also cuts deals with a weakened GOP president to send voters some economic help.

Their election-year strategy was to exact a steep price from President Bush for letting him have his way in some fights, while teaming with Republicans - some nervous about re-election - to defy him on other fronts.

The time for bargains is all but over.

When Congress returns in September from its five-week break, a few routine chores will dominate the agenda: renewing some tax breaks and passing a bill to keep agencies on automatic pilot until there's a new president. A second economic aid bill is a possibility; more partisan wrangling over what to do about gas prices a certainty.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CONGRESS_DEMOCRATS?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Clovis Sangrail]

1. I'm sure the Iraqi mothers who had children killed are just thrilled about that "bargain" /nt

[DCKit]

2. Thrilled? They're speechless, or else they'd be all over the news whining like Americans. n/t