Tension continues to grow between the U.S. government and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. On Tuesday, President Bush refused to publicly support al-Maliki’s government. Earlier in the week, Democratic Senator Carl Levin called for al-Maliki’s ouster. During a press conference, President Bush was asked about Levin’s comment.

President Bush: “There’s a process taking place. And the fundamental question is: Will the government respond to the demands of the people? And if the government doesn’t demand — respond to the demands of the people, they will replace the government. That’s up to the Iraqis to make that decision, not American politicians.”

Earlier in the day, the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad, Ryan Crocker, warned that U.S. support for Maliki’s government was “not a blind check.” Crocker said the level of political progress in Iraq has been “extremely disappointing.”