Vote signals hard times ahead for Bush

By Andy Gallacher
BBC News, Washington

The war in Iraq is proving unpopular with more Americans

Over days of heated debate more than 300 members of the House of Representatives rose to their feet and talked about President George W Bush's plans for Iraq.

After hearing emotional argument and counter argument, the Democratically-controlled lower house voted in favour of a non-binding resolution, rejecting the president's tactics in Iraq but supporting the thousands of US troops currently serving.

The White House immediately dismissed the resolution - it is after all non-binding - and warned Democrats against cutting off funding for the war.

But nevertheless, this is a powerfully symbolic vote.

More than a dozen Republicans sided with the Democrats in a convincing 246 to 182 votes.

Political suicide?

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made her feelings clear: "The passage of this legislation will signal a change in direction in Iraq that will end the fighting and bring our troops home safely and soon," she said.

For many in the United States, the non-binding resolution gives a voice to US voters who see the situation in Iraq as hopeless and a waste of American lives.

The resolution shows a new direction, one in which we will focus on other than military objectives Democrat Nancy Pelosi House Speaker Debate in quotes Text of resolution

But the Democratically-controlled Congress will not have an easy time with what is an unpopular war and an unpopular president.

Withdrawing funds for US troops on the ground could be political suicide, even though House Speaker Pelosi has talked of the president no longer having access to a "blank cheque".

But Mr Bush now faces the very real possibility of both houses in Congress turning against his latest tactics in Iraq.

The Senate is due to meet in a rare session on Saturday to decide their next move on the Iraq debate.

Progress amongst senators has been slow but many could now be emboldened by the House of Representatives' strong showing.

Non-military direction

Opponents of the resolution said that it would leave Iraq vulnerable to "radical Islamic terrorists", such as in neighbouring Iran.

But for the Democrats and some Republicans it is time for a big change in America's approach to the situation in Iraq.

Ms Pelosi said that the Democrats' plan would make for a safer America.

"The resolution shows a new direction, one in which we will focus on other than military objectives," she said.

"Certainly, our military preformed excellently, but the six points that I put forth to the president over and over again about changing the mission, redeploying the troops, building diplomacy in the region, pushing for political reconciliation, reforming reconstruction, and redirecting the war on terror in a way that is real and that the war in Iraq detracts from our efforts to do."

For President Bush all this signals even harder times ahead.

The planned troop surge in Iraq, mostly concentrated around the capital, Baghdad, is almost certainly this administration's last great hope.