“Democrat leaders in Congress seem more interested in fighting political battles in Washington than providing our troops what they need to fight the battles in Iraq,” Bush told reporters at the White House.

The president, in reference to the supplemental Iraq spending legislation that Congress passed before recess, asked Democratic leaders to send him “this unacceptable bill as quickly as possible.”

“I’ll veto it and then Congress can get down to the business of funding our troops without strings and without delay,” he said.

The president argued that signs indicate his troop-surge plan is working to help secure Baghdad, saying this would allow the Iraqi government the “breathing space” it needs to make progress.

Democrats rejected Bush’s rhetoric.

“An administration that misled America into war is once again trying to mislead when it comes to supporting our troops,” former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) said. “If the president uses his veto, he is the one denying funding for our troops.”

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Bush is “ignoring the will of the American people and refusing to sit down and work with Congress to change direction in Iraq.”

He accused Bush of “engaging in unnecessary political theater and delaying funding for our troops in harm’s way.”