Bush speech to US Congress full of firsts

WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) It was a night of firsts for President George W Bush's State of the Union address to Congress: a Democratic Congress, a woman seated in the speaker's chair and a lukewarm reception for his Iraq war comments.

''Tonight I have the high privilege and distinct honour of my own, as the first president to begin the State of the Union message with these words: 'Madam Speaker,''' Bush said in his annual speech to lawmakers yesterday.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi rose and shook hands with Bush as the chamber exploded with applause. The California Democrat was elected to the position this month and is now second in line to the presidency behind Vice President Dick Cheney.

However, one Democratic strategist Paul Begala complained on CNN that while Bush praised Pelosi, he adopted what staunch Republicans believe is an insult to her party by referring to a ''Democrat'' majority in Congress instead of ''Democratic.'' Pelosi's enthusiasm for the president's speech -- and that of many lawmakers -- appeared to drop off as he asked Congress to give his plan for sending 21,500 more troops into Iraq a chance to quell the unrelenting violence.

The audience appeared to clap mostly for his individual domestic proposals, such as addressing climate change. As Bush defended his Iraq plan, fewer lawmakers stood and applauded.

''Part of the problem is that the president doesn't seem to recognise that some of what alienates people is what we do, and it doesn't just alienate extremists but it alienates people in the middle,'' said Jon Alterman, director of West Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The chamber was brimming with presidential hopefuls, including New York Democratic Sen Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Democratic Sen Barack Obama. Possible Republican candidate Sen John McCain of Arizona was also present.

The audience was sprinkled with celebrities, including professional basketball player Dikembe Mutombo who towered over first lady Laura Bush and was highlighted by the president for efforts to improve health care in his birthplace, the Republic of Congo.

Another Bush guest who drew rousing applause was Wesley Autrey, a New Yorker who earlier this month jumped on the subway tracks as a train approached approached to save a man who fallen as a result of a seizure.

REUTERS PB KP1102