Bush Now Open To Benchmarks For Iraq

The New York Times CARL HULSE and JIM RUTENBERG May 10, 2007 08:20 PM
President Bush offered his first public concession to try to resolve the impasse over Iraq war spending today, as he confronted new pressure from his own party over the conflict and House approval of a plan that would provide money for combat operations only through midsummer.
After a briefing at the Pentagon around midday, Mr. Bush said he had instructed Joshua Bolten, the White House chief of staff, to reach "common ground" with lawmakers of both parties over setting firm goals, or benchmarks, to measure progress in Iraq. Mr. Bush had previously insisted he wanted about $95 billion for the military with no strings attached.
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