“I'm open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq's democratic government succeeds,” said Mr Bush in his first public appearance with his Cabinet after losing the midterm elections.
In his brief speech at the White House Rose Garden, Mr Bush also referred to his Republican Party’s humiliating defeat in the election. He said: “The American people made their decision; I respect the results, and so does my cabinet. I want to congratulate the Democrat leaders on the victory they achieved for their party.”
Exit polls taken during the midterm election -- seen by some as a referendum on Mr Bush and his administration -- showed strong voter dissatisfaction with the Iraq war.
Soon after the results were announced, Democrats urged him to sack his Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, a man seen by many as one of the two chief architects of America’s Iraq strategy along with Vice President Dick Cheney. On Wednesday, Mr Bush told a news conference at the White House that Mr Rumsfeld had resigned.
Mr Bush, who also hosted a lunch on Thursday for speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi and other leaders of the opposition Democratic Party, said he will discuss `the way forward for our country’ in his meetings with Democratic legislators on Thursday and Friday and tell them that `it’s our responsibility to put the elections behind us and work together on the great issues” facing America.
“One of the most important challenges facing our country is the war on terror, and Iraq is the central front in this war,” he said. “Our country now has more than 149,000 men and women serving bravely in that country. Whatever party we come from, we all have a responsibility to ensure that these troops have the resources and support they need to prevail.”
He recalled that on Wednesday he accepted the resignation of one of the original members of his Cabinet, Secretary Rumsfeld.
“Don has been an outstanding Secretary of Defence, a trusted advisor, and a loyal friend to me and his fellow Cabinet secretaries,” he said.
In an earlier speech at the White House, Mr Bush assured the Iraqis that no change would affect his commitment to stand by the people of Iraq.
"Do not be fearful," Mr Bush said. "As you take the difficult steps toward democracy and peace, America's going to stand with you. We know you want a better way of life, and now is the time to seize it."
Mr Bush also expressed support for U.S. military personnel.
"Don't be doubtful. America will always support you," the president said.
