Bush focuses on Iraq in meeting with Dems

updated 7:44 p.m. ET Feb. 3, 2007

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - President Bush squarely addressed the issue most on the mind of House Democrats, saying Saturday that deep divisions over the Iraq war need not bring anyone’s patriotism into question.

“You know, I welcome debate in a time of war and I hope you know that,” Bush said in opening remarks as the guest speaker at a retreat that drew about 200 lawmakers to a Virginia resort.

He said disagreeing with him over the war — as many in the room do — does not mean “you don’t share the same sense of patriotism I do.”

“You can get that thought out of your mind, if that’s what some believe,” the president said. “These are tough times, but there’s no doubt in my mind that you want to secure this homeland as much as I do.”

Bush told Democrats in private that he empathizes with their anguish on Iraq, saying the war is “sapping our soul,” according to two officials who attended the session. They spoke on condition of anonymity because it was a closed meeting.

Bush’s conciliatory words were similar to some of his previous statements. But the applause and acknowledgment that followed them offered some indication that this audience was happy to hear them so directly and in person.

Pelosi: ‘Encouraged by your remarks’
“We were honored by your presence. We’re also encouraged by your remarks,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said after Democrats met privately with the president. “I believe we have an opportunity to work together.”

Bush said, “We don’t always agree. That’s why we’re in different parties. But we do agree about our country. We do agree about the desire to work together and I really appreciate you letting me come by. I felt welcomed.”

Democrats, who in November wrestled control of the House from Republicans for the first time in a dozen years, have yet to settle on a legislative response to Bush’s war plan. It involves adding 21,500 troops to the 132,000 already in Iraq.

Deciding what any nonbinding resolution in opposition should say or what should be done if the buildup fails to stop the violence were primary topics at the lawmakers’ two-day retreat.

Bush: ‘I listened’
Options could include stripping the budget of war money, capping the number of troops in Iraq or refusing to pay for future deployments.

With that in mind, Bush gave his plan a soft sell.

“I listened to many members here, I listened to members of my own party, I listened to the military and came up with a plan that I genuinely believe has the best of succeeding,” the president said.

He received applause for repeating his insistence that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government in Baghdad must show tangible improvement on the political front.

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