Wars Budgetary and Military

WITH a resolute President Bush vowing to veto nine of the twelve appropriations bills making their way through Congress, the White House eagerly anticipates a spending showdown that will unite and enthuse its dispirited supporters. The bloated bills exceed the president’s own increases in domestic discretionary spending this year by $22 billion.

A beleaguered Bush on offense in a fight over fiscal discipline that draws sharp distinctions between the parties would be welcome. Unfortunately, the long-overdue battle to control spending promises to be more about war than waste, and to reveal that self-serving spending is a truly bipartisan offense—with the result that disillusioned conservatives will be unlikely to man the barricades.

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Kate O'Beirne

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WITH a resolute President Bush vowing to veto nine of the twelve appropriations bills making their way through Congress, the White House eagerly anticipates a spending showdown that will unite and enthuse its dispirited supporters. The bloated bills exceed the president’s own increases in domestic discretionary spending this year by $22 billion.

A beleaguered Bush on offense in a fight over fiscal discipline that draws sharp distinctions between the parties would be welcome. Unfortunately, the long-overdue battle to control spending promises to be more about war than waste, and to reveal that self-serving spending is a truly bipartisan offense—with the result that disillusioned conservatives will be unlikely to man the barricades.