Pelosi: Bush a 'total failure'

WASHINGTON, July 17 (UPI) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Thursday told CNN U.S. President George W. Bush is "a total failure" who is in no position to criticize Congress.

The California Democrat said Congress' low approval rating is a consequence of its inability to end the Iraq War and said she also disapproves of Congress' performance on the war.

Two days after Bush criticized Congress for lack of action, Pelosi told CNN the president needed "something to talk about because he has no ideas."

"God bless him, bless his heart, president of the United States -- a total failure, losing all credibility with the American people on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject," she said.

Asked about a Gallup poll indicating public approval of Congress at 14 percent, its lowest level since the organization began polling the question 30 years ago, Pelosi said the public was expressing disapproval on the Iraq war.

"Everything I see says this is about ending the war -- I disapprove of Congress' performance in terms of ending the war," she said.

However, Pelosi said Democrats hold double-digit leads over Republicans in so-called generic poll questions asking voters which party they prefer to control Congress.