BUSH REACHES OUT TO DEMOCRATS BUT ARMS ARE TOO SHORT

President Bush traveled to the House Democrats’ annual retreat this weekend in Williamsburg, Virginia, in an effort to reach out to the new congressional majority. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced him from a lectern bearing the slogan, “Governing for a New Direction,” but the President spoke from his own lectern, emblazoned with the slogan, “You’re Either With Me or Against Me.” After Pelosi pledged that she will reverse years of partisan sniping and gridlock in Washington, the President responded, "I agree, Madam Speaker. I came here to show folks that we can get beyond the politics of Washington, and we've accomplished that. We’re three hours away.”