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Bush called that senseless. He said America has no more strategic interest than Iraq, which he called the ''convergence point for the twin threats of al-Qaida and Iran.''

Reid said Bush is poised to keep as many troops in Iraq by year's end as there were before last year's increase. ''Our troops have done their job; it is time for the Iraqi politicians and this administration to do theirs,'' Reid said.

The president described a rising economy in Iraq, but did not ignore lasting problems.

Iraq struggles with infrastructure, unemployment and corruption. ''The Iraqis recognize these shortcomings. They understand what they have to do,'' Bush said.

The focus on political and economic life is widely overshadowed in the U.S. by a focus on the death toll, which reached 4,000 members of the military last week.

In early April, Bush is expected to endorse a temporary halt in the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, has warned against shrinking the American force so rapidly that the gains in security will be compromised.

Bush again signaled his intentions, claiming dire consequences of a U.S. retreat.

While in Dayton, Bush met privately for two hours with 23 families of troops killed in action. The president also made time to help out Republican candidates.

In Ohio, Bush raised money for the state GOP party, which refused to release financial details about his fundraiser. Later, in Sewickley, Pa., Bush was to raise about $500,000 for the state's Republican Party at a fundraiser of more than 200 people.

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