Defying the veto threat, the Democratic-controlled Congress this week approved a $124 billion war spending measure that would require U.S. troops to begin leaving Iraq by Oct. 1 at the latest.

“I’m sorry it’s come to this,” Bush told reporters. “I’m sorry that … the issue evolved the way it has. But nevertheless, it is what it is, and it will be vetoed.”

Senate Democrats, at a New York retreat, urged Bush to back off his threatened veto and consider the measure carefully.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said he thinks, even in the event of a veto, the president is open to a negotiated compromise.

“If you look at the president’s statements the last few days, I think they’ve been very promising,” Reid said, pointing to remarks by Bush indicating he would discuss the issue further with lawmakers.

“At least as far as I’m concerned, the president has changed his tune,” Reid added. “This is just a lot of swagger, and he should stop swaggering and sign the bill.”

A retired general who was the Army’s senior intelligence officer, Lt. Gen. William Odom, also called on Bush to sign the bill, saying it would be a “rare act of courage” by the president.

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