Bush, Dems Test Compromise Skills on Iraq

Congress' Democratic bosses and the White House are attempting diplomacy after six years of Republican neglect that has left the new majority uneasy, the Times reports. But this week's agreements on less thorny issues, trade and immigration, contrast significantly with a divided Washington's repeated, fumbled attempts at a compromise war appropriations bill.

Trent Lott says Bush and Co. are adjusting begrudgingly, but, the Republican whip adds, "They don’t have any choice." The White House hammered out its trade deal with concessions to none other than Charles Rangel. Some insiders say such compromises offer hope for an Iraq deal, while others contend that the touchy topic is doomed to impasse. (More Democratic Congress stories.)