Bush extends "olive branch" to Democrats.

President Bush yesterday addressed Democrats at their winter convention for the first time since 2001. In extending an "olive branch" to them, Bush tells Democrats that he believes in their patriotism (including those who oppose the war?) Bush also stated that "the Maliki government [in Iraq] is going to have to show strong leadership ... [and that] ... there's benchmarks that they have got to achieve." "I look forward to working with you," he said to the Democrats. "I know you've probably heard that and doubt whether it's true. It's true." Bush has also promised a plan to balance the budget by 2012 -- after presiding over record deficits and tax cuts -- and tentatively agreed to increasing the federal minimum wage. Whether or not the Democrats accept Bush's "olive branch" or how long the peace overture lasts remains to be seen. What ought to be accepted by both sides and seen by the public is a bipartisanship that advances a moderately conservative people's agenda in Congress.