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September 6, 2008 12:12:15 AM CDT

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Rising Iraq Costs Refuel Debate

Posted Feb 4, 08 2:59 PM CST in US 

(Newser) – The skyrocketing cost of the war in Iraq—where spending per month has doubled in the last 3 years—could re-energize anti-war sentiment in the next few months, the Wall Street Journal reports. It's likely to be a focus in debate over President Bush’s proposed $3 trillion budget, which includes the largest military spending plan (adjusted for inflation) since World War II.

Congress failed in earlier attempts to limit war spending, but Democrats are feeling more confident; a memo suggests criticizing President Bush for neglecting "important priorities at home after spending half a trillion dollars in Iraq." Senior military officials, meanwhile, would like to see higher spending. At 4% of GDP, one notes, the budget request is modest compared to World War II (38%), Vietnam (13%), and Korea (9%).

Source Wall Street Journal

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President Bush speaks on the state of the economy to employees at Hallmark Cards, Inc., Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)   (Associated Press)
Mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles (MRAP), produced by Force Protection, are loaded onto an airplane to be shipped to war zones, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at the Charleston Air Force Base in North...   (Associated Press)
A member of the honor guard removes the cover from a marker bearing the name of U.S. Army Pfc. Ryan D. Christensen during a memorial service at Warrior's Walk war memorial Thursday Jan. 17, 2008 at Fort...   (Associated Press)
A U.S. fighter takes off from the flight deck of the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, while crewmen watch. Air strikes in support of U.S. and coalition forces...   (Associated Press)
A man pulls a cart through a street housing book shops, that has been bombed several times in the past, in central Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. The still-rising cost of the war in Iraq may...   (Associated Press)
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Iraq  • George W. Bush  • Iraq war  • Iraq war spending  • GDP


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