(Amazing, when Robert Novack just sticks to the facts he's a pretty good writer. But as for *Bush, he's just doing this tho be a douche bag.)
By Robert D. Novak
Monday, June 18, 2007; Page A17
Addressing a Republican fundraising dinner at the Washington Convention Center on Wednesday night, President Bush declared: "If the Democrats want to test us, that's why they give the president the veto. I'm looking forward to vetoing excessive spending, and I'm looking forward to having the United States Congress support my veto." That was more than blather for a political pep rally. Bush plans to veto the homeland security appropriations bill nearing final passage, followed by vetoes of eight more money bills sent him by the Democratic-controlled Congress.
That constitutes a veto onslaught of historic proportions from a president who did not reject a single bill during his first term. Of the 12 appropriations bills for fiscal 2008, only three will be signed by the president in the form shaped by the House. What's more, Bush correctly claimed that he has the House votes needed to sustain these vetoes. The unpopular president is taking the offensive on fiscal responsibility. After bowing to Republican demands on earmarks, Democratic leaders face a battle of the budget.
(edit)
...The first appropriations bill to be vetoed, for homeland security, raises spending 14 percent over the previous year, compared with the 7 percent the administration requested. Bush also objects to this measure because it includes higher wages under the Davis-Bacon Act for contract workers covered by the bill.
The second money bill hitting the president's desk, on military construction and veterans affairs, is even more costly; it has a 30 percent boost in spending, in contrast with the administration's 22 percent increase. Nevertheless, Bush will sign this bill, as indicated in a statement of administration policy issued Wednesday night.
(more at link) <
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/17/AR2007061700942.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns>