Bush Summons Democrats to White House

Well, what do you know? President Bush wants to meet with congressional Democrats. He wants to meet with them to discuss funding for the war in Iraq. In fact, he’s invited them down to the White House next Tuesday, April 17.

There’s only one catch. Bush told them ahead of time: Unless you’re coming down here to agree with me 100 percent, don’t bother.

And, in response, Democrats did the right thing. Both Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) told Bush: You say ahead of time you won’t budge. Guess what, George? You can take your meeting and shove it.

Good for them! After all, the purpose of a meeting is to have a discussion. A sit-down where both sides can lay out their positions, discuss their differences and explore any possible compromise. The purpose of a meeting is not to be told ahead of time: My way or the highway.

It’s about time President Bush woke up and accepted the fact: There’s a new Congress in town. This Congress intends to exercise its powers under the Constitution as a co-equal branch of government. And there’s no way this Congress will, or should, give George Bush a blank check for Iraq without some agreement about when our troops are coming home.