Pelosi and Reid: Bush Continues to Deny Reality in Iraq, at Home

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today in response to
the President's remarks this afternoon:

"Like the American people, Democrats know that we urgently need a change of
course in Iraq as political progress - the primary goal of the surge - remains
out of reach. It is a failure of leadership when our President calls 2007
'incredibly successful beyond anybody's expectations' when the Iraqi
government has done so little to achieve stability and it has been the most
lethal year yet for American troops.

"Our nation faces great challenges at home and abroad. We need more
clear-eyed and realistic assessments - and more willingness to work toward
solutions.

"The Administration must work with Congress to strengthen the middle class and
address the economic problems facing American families. We urge the President
to join us as we address rising prices for everything from health care to gas
to college tuition."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House and Office of the Senate Majority
Leader

Brendan Daly or Nadeam Elshami, both of the Office of the Speaker of the
House, +1-202-226-7616; or Jim Manley or Rodell Mollineau, both of the Office
of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, +1-202-224-2939