New Congress leery of Bush's Iraq plans

WASHINGTON — As President Bush prepares a major new initiative for Iraq, he confronts a wary and distrustful new Congress eager for solutions but unconvinced the administration can chart a successful exit from the war.

The new Democratic majorities in the House and Senate are reluctant to assume responsibility for the war, leaving unclear Congress' willingness to block any troop escalation or to compel Bush to change strategy.

As lawmakers convened Thursday, the misgivings highlighted how difficult it will be for the president to achieve anything close to consensus as he plots a new course in Iraq.

Democrats and Republicans voiced deep reservations about any plan that would send more troops to Iraq.

They also complained about how little they knew of the president's plans, warning that the lack of information further impeded congressional support.

"The president will need strong friends," said Indiana Sen. Richard G. Lugar, the senior Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee. Complaining that he had heard nothing from Bush, he added: "There need to be some informed persons if there is to be support for the president's proposal

Next week, Bush is expected to unveil a new Iraq plan that would feature at least a temporary increase in troop levels in an effort to control sectarian violence.

Troop increases have been endorsed by a few lawmakers, including Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.).

But such a proposal is certain to be fiercely opposed by most Democrats.

For months, the party's leaders have been calling for the president to embrace various scenarios that would start the withdrawal of troops. On Thursday, they reiterated their views.

"The president's new plan must ensure the Iraqis take responsibility for their own future," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said on the chamber's floor as he assumed his new post.

The plan also "must remove our troops from a dangerous civil war," he said.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), new chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said he would reintroduce a resolution calling for a phased withdrawal of troops starting this year unless Bush sets a timetable for removing them from Iraq.

A similar move sponsored by Levin and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) failed last year.