Bush sees chance to pursue amnesty with Democratic majority as ‘a wonderful opportunity'

President Bush told the press that he intends to work with the new Democratic majority in Congress on a number of domestic issues, but he sees the chance to resolve issues such as immigration "as wonderful opportunities.

“It turns out that what I think is important, the Democratic leadership thinks is important, as well,” Bush said.

Democrats have complained that the Bush administration has ignored their views for the past four years. Bush says that voters are now "sick and tired of the needless partisanship in Washington."

Bush especially sees real possibilities for overhauling immigration law and policies. The most recent Congress, with Republican majorities, found Bush’s amnesty proposal failing to gain the votes of a majority of Republicans in either the House or the Senate.

Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has already told Bush that she looks forward to seeing Democrats work in cooperation with the White House on a guest-worker program for low-skilled immigrants.

Bush is still pursuing a proposal he introduced a year ago, that would establish a guest-worker program for low-skilled workers as well as amnesty for the more than 12 million illegal immigrants now in the country.