"I am surprised and disappointed by Joe Lieberman's campaign ad, which his campaign released today.

Leadership is about having the courage to ask the tough questions and hold our leaders accountable. Approving President Bush's budget request amounts to giving this administration another blank check in Iraq. The last time Joe Lieberman voted for giving President Bush a blank check, it led to the war in Iraq -- an unnecessary, unilateral, preemptive war.

I served my country in the military for 34 years. I led a war that succeeded in toppling a dictator and returning 1.5 million Albanian Kosovars to their homes -- all without losing a single American life. I know something about what it takes to win a war -- it takes a clear plan for success. This administration has no plan. We should not give one more dime until they put forward that plan.

Rather than rubber stamping the entire $87 billion request, Congress should separate the military provisions from the reconstruction provisions and vote on the military aspects immediately.

Leadership is about making the right choices to get America back on track. Giving President Bush another blank check is not doing what's right. It's just plain wrong."