This is a trap

Bush says he wants to meet with Democrats to discuss the stalemate over funding the war but he will not accept any deadlines for withdrawal. As the article notes, Dems think any meetings on the issue are pointless if the President will not bargain in good faith. They are right to do so. The White House admits to it straight up.

On one hand, Bush extended an offer to meet with lawmakers next Tuesday. On the other, the White House bluntly said it would not be a negotiating session [emphasis mine].

The president said if lawmakers don't send him a bill he will sign — one that does not include timetables or money for pet projects in their home districts — it would be Congress, not the White House, that will have to answer to troops.

"The bottom line is this: Congress's failure to fund our troops will mean that some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines," Bush said at the American Legion Post 177 where some vets sported black caps trimmed in gold. "Others could see their loved ones headed back to war sooner than anticipated. This is unacceptable."

Bush does not negotiate; he makes demands. When he does not get what he wants, he whines like a petulant child. This proposed chat is trap for the Democratic leadership. The Administration is looking for cover on Iraq. If the President and the D’s hold a meeting and nothing comes of it (and nothing will), Bush will claim he tried to work with Congress but those meanies just would not budge and they don’t support the troops anyway, etc., etc.. Reid and Pelosi should treat this like the rotten tomato it is.