* ramps up personal role in veto battle as approval ratings weaken

[babylonsister]

Bush ramps up personal role in veto battle as approval ratings weaken
By Alexander Bolton
October 23, 2007

President Bush has taken a much more personal role in opposing Congress in disagreements over legislation this year than any other year of his presidency, a tactic that government experts say is necessary because of his weakened approval ratings.

Bush himself has made 46 veto threats during the first nine and a half months of 2007, compared to 28 such threats during the first six years of his administration, according to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

In total, the Bush administration has made 101 veto threats this year, as opposed to 63 during the 109th Congress and 61 during the 108th Congress.

While the particulars of how a veto threat is made may appear to be arcane to some, lawmakers and lobbyists notice the distinction. Veto threats made by the president are viewed as the most serious. Warnings issued by senior advisers are taken less seriously because they are couched in terms that give the commander in chief room to act otherwise.

For example, senior advisers often say they will merely advise the president to veto a bill, allowing the president to say later that he disagreed with their advice rather than backing down himself and losing face.

During the entire 109th Congress, Bush told Congress 13 times that he would veto legislation while senior advisers conveyed that message on 46 occasions, according to OMB. This year Bush has been the messenger almost as often as his top aides.

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http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bush-ramps-up-personal-role-in-veto-battle-as-approval-ratings-weaken-2007-10-23.html

[acmavm]

1. Doesn't seem to be doing the little cretin any good.

[Ganja Ninja]

2. He seems to be under the impression that every time he hands

the Democrats a defeat it increases his stature and popularity. All it does is make him look more stubborn and thick skulled.

He's fighting to the bitter end to claim the title of worst President ever.

[shadowknows69]

3. Someone tell him he's won already

give him the trophy and tell him to go the fuck home.