Bush's speech to US Congress full of firsts

Washington, Jan 24: It was a night of firsts for PresidentGeorge W Bush's State of the Union address to Congress: a DemocraticCongress, a woman seated in the speaker's chair and a lukewarmreception 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 withthese words: 'Madam Speaker,''' Bush said in his annual speech tolawmakers yesterday.

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

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

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

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

The chamber was brimming with presidential hopefuls, including NewYork Democratic Sen Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Democratic SenBarack Obama. Possible Republican candidate Sen John McCain of Arizonawas also present.

The audience was sprinkled with celebrities, includingprofessional basketball player Dikembe Mutombo who towered over firstlady Laura Bush and was highlighted by the president for efforts toimprove health care in his birthplace, the Republic of Congo.

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

Reuters>