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Bush reaches out to Democrats

Wire Reports

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/EVAN VUCCI

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With Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats in control of Congress, bipartisanship has become a must for President Bush.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- President Bush, forced by necessity to reach out to some of his strongest adversaries, appealed directly to House Democrats on Saturday to work with him to reform the immigration system, limit the cost of Social Security, curb the consumption of gasoline and balance the federal budget.

Visiting the Democrats' annual retreat for the first time since 2001, the president told lawmakers that they can accomplish "big things" by working together and sought to defuse any tensions with self-deprecating humor. He opened his public remarks with an allusion to his tendency to mispronounce the name of the rival party by calling it the Democrat Party, seen by many party activists as a calculated insult.

"I appreciate you inviting the head of the Republic Party," Bush said to laughter. The Democrats rose to applaud Bush before and after his speech.

Those in attendance had a rare opportunity to directly question the president, using a private session after Bush's speech to press him on Iraq.

According to some Democrats present, Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., asked Bush about her concern that the military is fighting a war without the rest of the country sharing the sacrifice. Bush said he disagreed with that. He said the war is psychologically draining for the entire country and, according to the Democrats there, said it is "sapping our souls."

One of the primary topics at the retreat at the Kingsmill Resort was how to legislate opposition to Bush's overhauled Iraq strategy, which involves adding 21,500 troops to the 132,000 who were there before the surge began.

Democrats have not settled on the approach for any anti-war resolution or on what action to take if the buildup fails to halt the violence.

Bush explained how he settled on his proposal. "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 chance of succeeding," he said.

Bush said opposing him on the war -- as many in the room do -- does not mean "you don't share the same sense of patriotism I do.

"You know, I welcome debate in a time of war and I hope you know that," the president said.

This report includes material from The Washington Post and The Associated Press.