Not terribly surprising news today from the Senate, which this morning approved 51-47 the war-spending bill with a non-binding March 31, 2008, withdrawal date from Iraq. As they did on Tuesday, Republicans Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Gordon Smith of Oregon voted with the Democrats.

Standing outside the White House next to House Minority Leader John Boehner and Minority Whip Roy Blunt, President Bush pledged to veto whatever bill comes out of conference committee.

An interesting question going forward is whether Bush will use his veto not only against any bill with a timetable for withdrawal, but also against one he believes is too larded with pork. In addition to the withdrawal dates, Bush has criticized the House and Senate bills for being full of earmarks.

As I wrote earlier, no bill with a timetable will ever become a law. But how determined will the White House be in its opposition to earmarks, especially since earmarks could be a politically expedient way to compromise with Congress?