Bush Meets With Dem Leaders

President Bush discussed budget issues, education and more in his first White House meeting with Democratic congressional leaders Wednesday and said it's time "to come together and get things done" despite expectations of gridlock and acrimony in the nation's capital.

"This is the sixth meeting I've had with legislators since I've been sworn in. It is a habit I intend to keep," Mr. Bush said in a Cabinet Room meeting with GOP and Democratic legislative leaders.

Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle told reporters later the session was a "very productive and conciliatory meeting," and said the new president stressed he was "willing to listen."

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., called it a dialogue "This wasn't a meeting where we made any deals." Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott thanked Mr. Bush for letting Congress in on the ground floor of developing policy and "not try to ask us to join up after the die is already cast."

Daschle said no decisions were made on budget issues, either on substance or procedure, including a call by Democrats for Congress and the White House to agree on an overall budget before the administration tries to enact a $1.6 trillion tax cut.

In comments to reporters, president also raised concerns about the economy in pushing for his tax-cut plan.

"I look forward to explaining to any member that's concerned about tax relief and why ... I proposed it. And I think the evidence is going to become more and more clear that the economy is not as hopeful as we'd like, which I hope will strengthen my case," Mr. Bush said. He has expressed concern before, but never as president.

Daschle offered a different viewpoint a short while later in the Capitol.

"The one thing we don't want to do is repeat the incredible mistake we made in 1981 when we passed a tax cut we couldn't afford," he said, noting it took 15 years to erase the deficits that began piling up in the wake of tax cuts passed in the opening months of Ronald Reagan's presidency.

Mr. Bush stressed in his inaugural address Saturday that he wanted to set a tone of civility in Washington, and he has arranged several meetings in his first few days in office to reach out to lawmakers in both parties.

He set a session for later in the day with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a former presidential campaign rival who is pressing for a swift vote on campaign finance legislation.

When it came to tax cuts, both Daschle, D-S.D., and House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., said they could not accept Mr. Bush's $1.6 trillion reduction over 10 years, saying it wouldn't leave room for spending on programs such as education and health care.

"We are in a sense the only thing standing between what Republicans propose and what becomes law," Daschle said at a Tuesday news conference in the Capitol.

The Democrats, led by Rep. David Bonior o Michigan, brought up with Mr. Bush on Wednesday their call for measures to prevent a repeat of the chaos that plagued last year's presidential election in Florida.

"The president, in response, understood and appreciated our remarks. He talked about, actually, the question of dealing with how the media reports the election," Bonior told reporters afterward.

Hastert said the House would create "probably a select committee on a short period of time on election reform so that we can look at the issues ... . There are differences of opinions on both sides of the aisle on what are problems." Hastert said he expected the special committee would, within six to eight months, issue legislative recommendations.

Mr. Bush would not say whether he was willing to give ground on tax cuts or vouchers. "I'm certainly not willing to negotiate with myself," he said at a photo opportunity.

"Expectations are that we can't come together and get things done. Our mission is to exceed the expectations," Mr. Bush said. Asked if he can bridge the differences, he said, "We'll have to see. That's part of what a dialogue is all about. It is important for me to understand where there is resistance and why. It all happens with good, honest discussion."

Mr. Bush's invitation to top congressional Democrats was part of a series of meetings in which he has courted the political opposition with a vengeance.

He met with lawmakers of both parties to discuss education on Tuesday, and announced a change in his legislation on the subject to accommodate their concerns.

On Monday, his first business day in office, he hosted some Democratic party elders around a White House table.