A politically weakened President Bush implored a skeptical Congress Tuesday night to embrace his unpopular plan to send more U.S. troops to Iraq, saying it represents the best hope in a war America must not lose.
"Give it a chance to work," he said.
Bush divided his 49-minute address between domestic and foreign issues, but the war was topic No. 1.
Facing a political showdown with Democrats and Republicans alike, Bush was unyielding on Iraq in his annual State of the Union address. He also sought to revive his troubled presidency with proposals to expand health insurance coverage and to slash gasoline consumption by 20 percent in a decade.
"It is in our vital interest to diversify America's energy supply, and the way forward is through technology," Bush said.
He also pressed Congress to help find ways to overhaul entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid before they impose huge problems for future generations.
"The good news is the president has finally focused on domestic issues," Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. "The bad news is that the President's priorities won't necessarily help our manufacturers or our families who are struggling to compete in a global economy."
Secretary for MSU Democrats Emily Mixter echoed Granholm's thoughts.
"What bothered me is the fact the he said the economy is doing well, but if you walk around Lansing or East Lansing or Detroit, you'll see the economy is not doing really well," she said. "It may be doing well for people on Wall Street and corporate America, but in Michigan, we've been sucker punched by the economy and the outsourcing. People of Michigan know firsthand that the economy is not doing as well as he thinks."
In regard to the war, Democrats — and even some Republicans — scoffed at his Iraq policy. Unmoved by Bush's appeal, Democrats said the House and Senate would vote on resolutions of disapproval of the troop buildup.
"We need a new direction," said freshman Sen. Jim Webb, picked by the Democrats to deliver their TV response. "The majority of the nation no longer supports the way this war is being fought, nor does the majority of our military," said Webb, a Vietnam veteran opposed to Bush's invasion of Iraq.
But Jeff Wiggins, chairman of the MSU Republicans, said Bush was able explain that "no matter what your view is on our current situation in Iraq, we must understand we need to achieve victory."
With Congress poised to deliver a stinging rebuke on his troop increase, he made a personal plea to lawmakers.
"I have spoken with many of you in person. I respect you and the arguments you made," Bush said. "We went into this largely united, in our assumptions and in our convictions. And whatever you voted for, you did not vote for failure.
"Our country is pursuing a new strategy in Iraq, and I ask you to give it a chance to work. And I ask you to support our troops in the field and those on their way."
Staff writer Alex Altman contributed to this report.
