Saturday, July 8, 2006
Bush: GOP Will Hold House and Senate
President Bush, trying to boost his standing with Americans, confidently predicted Friday that Republicans will retain control of Congress in November elections despite his political troubles.
"We will hold the House and the Senate," Bush said in the first formal, solo news conference he has held outside of Washington. "I'm looking forward to these elections. I think you'll be surprised."
At Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, Bush tried out a new strategy by taking questions from Chicago media as well as regulars in the White House press corps.
The idea was to get a greater mix of questions and have Bush show concern about everyday issues. If there were any doubts about the locale, the White House dispelled them by putting Bush in front of a mural of the city skyline topped by the single word: CHICAGO.
Bush adamantly defended his decision to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and said political considerations would not lead to an early withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"We will lose if we leave too early," said Bush, denouncing those Democrats who want a formal timetable for redeployment.
Later, Bush helped raise $1.2 million for Illinois state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's campaign for governor.
Outside the Drake Hotel where the event was held, dozens of protesters held up signs with slogans such as "Liar, Liar, Iraq on Fire" and burned a few American flags.
On the economic front, Bush had some of the wind taken out of his sails by monthly employment numbers. Job growth was a tepid 121,000 in June, more than 50,000 short of the forecast.
White House officials said Bush's Chicago stop, which included a dinner with Daley and local leaders Thursday night, was the first in a series of trips he would make in coming months.
White House officials denied a political motive in the new strategy but said Bush wanted a chance to take his case to ordinary Americans.
"These trips are good for the president, getting out of the (Washington) Beltway, talking to people about their lives, hearing their stories, being able to share ideas with local leaders. That's something that he likes to do," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.
With his image in disrepair, Bush retooled his White House staff earlier this year and his communications team is trying to expose the president to more reporters' questions.
President Bush, trying to boost his standing with Americans, confidently predicted Friday that Republicans will retain control of Congress in November elections despite his political troubles.
"We will hold the House and the Senate," Bush said in the first formal, solo news conference he has held outside of Washington. "I'm looking forward to these elections. I think you'll be surprised."
At Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, Bush tried out a new strategy by taking questions from Chicago media as well as regulars in the White House press corps.
The idea was to get a greater mix of questions and have Bush show concern about everyday issues. If there were any doubts about the locale, the White House dispelled them by putting Bush in front of a mural of the city skyline topped by the single word: CHICAGO.
Bush adamantly defended his decision to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and said political considerations would not lead to an early withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq.
"We will lose if we leave too early," said Bush, denouncing those Democrats who want a formal timetable for redeployment.
Later, Bush helped raise $1.2 million for Illinois state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's campaign for governor.
Outside the Drake Hotel where the event was held, dozens of protesters held up signs with slogans such as "Liar, Liar, Iraq on Fire" and burned a few American flags.
On the economic front, Bush had some of the wind taken out of his sails by monthly employment numbers. Job growth was a tepid 121,000 in June, more than 50,000 short of the forecast.
White House officials said Bush's Chicago stop, which included a dinner with Daley and local leaders Thursday night, was the first in a series of trips he would make in coming months.
White House officials denied a political motive in the new strategy but said Bush wanted a chance to take his case to ordinary Americans.
"These trips are good for the president, getting out of the (Washington) Beltway, talking to people about their lives, hearing their stories, being able to share ideas with local leaders. That's something that he likes to do," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.
With his image in disrepair, Bush retooled his White House staff earlier this year and his communications team is trying to expose the president to more reporters' questions.
