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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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7

Obama's Cell Phone Plea Helps Clear War Funds

Last-minute tensions healed; measure set to pass next week

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(Newser) – Congressional leaders settled on a $106 billion spending bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan last night, but it took a last-minute intervention by President Obama via Rahm Emanuel's cell phone. When talks got bogged down over the release of detainee photos, Emanuel rushed to the Capitol and had Obama assure lawmakers via speaker phone that he would do everything in his power to block their release, reports Politico.

With that resolved, House and Senate negotiators finished work on the spending measure, which is now expected to clear Congress next week. The bill is vital to Obama because it covers not only war spending but a host of other issues, including $7.65 billion to fight the flu and $1 billion to encourage drivers to trade in gas guzzlers, notes the Wall Street Journal.

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, speaks during a news conference June 9, 2009. Joining him, from left are, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Jon Kyl, Sen. John Thune, and Sen. John Cornyn.
Sen. Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, speaks during a news conference June 9, 2009. Joining him, from left are, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Jon Kyl, Sen. John Thune, and Sen. John Cornyn.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel walks across the South Lawn last week.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel walks across the South Lawn last week.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
President Barack Obama arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 11, 2009, after a day trip to Green Bay, Wis.
President Barack Obama arrives on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 11, 2009, after a day trip to Green Bay, Wis.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Democratic senators are seen during a news conference on Capitol Hill yesterday. From left are, Sen. Richard Durbin, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Jack Reed, and Sen. Tom Harkin.
Democratic senators are seen during a news conference on Capitol Hill yesterday. From left are, Sen. Richard Durbin, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Jack Reed, and Sen. Tom Harkin.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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7 comments
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Reader65069154
Jun 12, 09 7:37 AM CDT
We will be the most transparent government in history. Except when it's inconvenient. Just like every other administration in history. Yawn. Reply
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0
IN RESPONSE:
wwwonderer
Jun 12, 09 12:05 PM CDT
It appears the President will still have to cooperate with Congress to get things done. Remnants of the last administration don't want those pictures releases AT ALL COSTS. Better to hide the shame than admit to any compliance.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
foodchain11
Jun 13, 09 4:57 PM CDT
We've always not known every detail and part of that is security based. I'd hope that once there's more stability in the middle east, we might get answers to Bush's illegal activities. Remember the GREAT REAGAN whose cabinet had to take the 5th? Obama is way ahead of the republicans for whom the end always justifies the means--thier ends just look too brilliant.
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0
Fondue
Jun 12, 09 9:14 AM CDT
Why is money to fight the flu and cash for gas guzzlers tied to war spending? This is what pisses me off about our system. Reply
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0
Reader64481089
Jun 12, 09 12:33 PM CDT
The photo's are politically destructive, they all know what is within the photo's is wrong and illegal but to publish them would be a blow to the Public image they attempt to cultivate. This will be swept under the carpet as it always has been and will be repeated again and again Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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