Bush focuses on Iraq in meeting with Dems

“I do know we agree on some things and that is that the Maliki government is going to have to show strong leadership,” Bush said. “There’s benchmarks that they have got to achieve.”

‘I look forward to working with you’
Iraq was hardly the only topic on which Bush sought to win over a crowd of skeptics with flattery and acknowledgments of differences of opinion. With Democrats now in charge in the House and Senate, he had little choice.

Among the “big things” he singled out as prospects for bipartisan cooperation were balancing the budget, tackling budget-busting entitlements, immigration overhaul, health care, education and alternative energy production.

“I look forward to working with you,” he said. “I know you’ve probably heard that and doubt whether it’s true. It’s true.”

Already, Bush has granted several of the new majority’s demands. He has acknowledged making mistakes in Iraq, fired Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and surrendered the fight for John Bolton to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Reflecting the target set by Democrats, Bush has promised a plan to balance the budget by 2012 after presiding over record deficits and tax cuts. Also, the president tentatively has agreed to increasing the federal minimum wage. The House and Senate have passed competing versions of this legislation.

‘My diction isn’t all that good’
The president also had a little fun at his own expense, hoping it would prove his willingness to find bipartisan consensus. His reference in his State of the Union address to their party as the “Democrat majority” — as opposed to the “Democratic majority” — caused grumbling and offense and he sought to make up for it.

“Now look, my diction isn’t all that good,” Bush said to laughter. “I have been accused of occasionally mangling the English language. And so I appreciate you inviting the head of the Republic Party.”

After Bush’s remarks, reporters were ushered out of the room while lawmakers asked the president a few questions.

Pelosi said lawmakers raised concerns about Iraq and other challenges facing the country.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said the question portion of Bush’s appearance was closed to be consistent with his appearances at gatherings of congressional Republicans. At those events, Bush spoke in public but the questioning was closed “to provide frank and open discussion,” Stanzel said.

He said Bush last attended the House and Senate Democratic retreats in early 2001, right after he took office.

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