A "small price" to pay in Iraq?

A spokesman for the GOP House leader says he was talking only about money. Nice try, though.

Published September 14, 2007 11:09AM (EDT)

A spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner has explained what Boehner meant when he told Wolf Blitzer Wednesday that "the investment that we're making today [in Iraq] will be a small price if we're able to stop al-Qaida here, if we're able to stabilize the Middle East."

"Wolf asked about the money spent in Iraq, and that's what Mr. Boehner was referring to when he said our troops' efforts are critical for the safety and security of our country," Boehner spokesman Kevin Smith tells the Politico's John Bresnahan.

Nice try, though.

Here's what Blitzer actually asked Boehner: "Mr. Leader, here's the question. How much longer will U.S. taxpayers have to shell out $2 billion a week or $3 billion a week as some now are suggesting the cost is going to endure? The loss in blood, the Americans who are killed every month, how much longer do you think this commitment, this military commitment is going to require?"


By Tim Grieve

Tim Grieve is a senior writer and the author of Salon's War Room blog.

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Iraq War John Boehner R-ohio