WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Tuesday urged the Democrat-led Congress to put partisan bickering aside and work on problems facing the nation.
In his State of the Union address, Bush said the public doesn't much care about partisan differences "as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done."
"Congress has changed but not our responsibilities," Bush said, adding, "Like many before us, we can work through our differences and achieve big things for the American people."
Bush said it is the job of the government to make life better for its citizens.
Bush's comments followed remarks last week in which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Bush's Iraq policy a blunder and accused him of rushing to put more U.S. troops in harm's way. Deputy White House Press Secretary Dana Perino responded by characterizing Pelosi's remarks as "poisonous."
