Bush seeks positive tone for new US Congress

Washington, Jan 3: President George W Bush, soon to announce a change in Iraq policy, will try to set a positive tone today for dealing with the new Democratic-controlled Congress, aides said yesterday.

In a New Year blitz, Bush is to meet members of his Cabinet in the morning and then make a statement emphasizing his domestic priorities and pledging to work with both Democrats and Republicans during the remaining two years of his presidency, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said.

In the evening, he will host a White House reception for a dozen Republican and Democratic leaders of Congress, and their spouses, from both the House of Representatives and Senate.

It will be an informal discussion that could include some talk about Iraq, aides said.

In an opinion article for today's edition of The Wall Street Journal posted on its Web site, Bush said the change in the balance of power in Congress presented an opportunity to build a bipartisan consensus to fight and win the war in Iraq.

''Ultimately, Iraqis must resolve the most pressing issues facing them. We can't do it for them,'' he wrote.

''But we can help Iraq defeat the extremists inside and outside of Iraq, and we can help provide the necessary breathing space for this young government to meet its responsibilities.

''If democracy fails and the extremists prevail in Iraq, America's enemies will be stronger, more lethal, and emboldened by our defeat. Leaders in both parties understand the stakes in this struggle,'' Bush wrote.

Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in November elections and are pressuring the president for a shift in course on Iraq. They officially take over tomorrow.

Bush has been studying changes to his Iraq policy for weeks and is expected to announce his new plan as soon as next week.

One option is a temporary surge in US troops, perhaps as many as 35,000, to help restore stability to Baghdad. Aides insisted Bush has not made a final decision although NBC News said the president has all but made up his mind to send additional troops.

Democrats are skeptical about a surge and some Republicans have qualms as well.

Bush's meetings on Wednesday appeared mostly related to advancing his domestic policy. He has said he believes Democrats and Republicans can work together on issues such as changing US immigration policy and the health care system.

Bush's meetings come as Democrats and Republicans size each other up on Capitol Hill.

After a decade of mounting political battles, members of both parties vow to seek common ground on divisive matters such as a new strategy in Iraq, upgrading health care and revamping immigration laws.

But both sides seem certain to quickly resume jockeying for political position with an eye on the 2008 election.

REUTERS

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