Bush at prayer as Democrats prepare for battle

President George Bush, head bowed in prayer, today opened an ambitious second term in which he boldly promises to spark democracy in the Middle East and reshape state pension plans.

His Republican allies say they are eager to begin, while Democrats vow to resume their fight against “extreme” Republican policies.

Four days of celebrations surrounding Bush’s inauguration culminated with a National Prayer Service, following a tradition set by George Washington, the first president.

The hour long service, Bush’s second visit to church in two days, brought together 3,200 invited family, Cabinet members, top White House aides and others in the majestic Gothic-style sanctuary of the Washington National Cathedral.

On the programme were instrumental and choral music and an interfaith line-up of Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy, all to help celebrate through prayer the events of the day before, when Bush placed his hand on a family Bible at the US Capitol and swore a second time to faithfully execute the office of president and uphold the Constitution.

Offering one prayer, the Rev Billy Graham said he believed God had a hand in Bush’s re-election.

“Their next four years are hidden from us, but they are not hidden from you,” said the 86-year-old evangelist, whom Bush credits with inspiring him to reaffirm his faith and give up drinking at age 40.

“You know the challenges and opportunities they will face. Give them a clear mind, a warm heart, calmness in the midst of turmoil, reassurance in times of discouragement and your presence always.”

On Thursday the president was on the go all day, from an early morning church appearance to hours in the cold watching the traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to a late night dash through 10 black-tie inaugural balls. The only thing on the president’s public schedule for the first day of his second term was the prayer service.

But there will be little time for him to rest, with all the tasks he has named as priorities for himself and the nation:

:: Win a war on terror against shadowy, deadly networks.

:: Establish stability and democracy in Iraq, a deeply divided country where the American casualty rate has even fellow Republicans urging Bush to say more about how he will get the United States out.

:: Add private investment accounts to a state pension plan, through an as-yet-undefined plan that has many deeply sceptical.

:: Simplify a tax code bloated by thousands of provisions that special-interest patrons will be loathe to relinquish.

:: Limit medical malpractice and class-action jury awards.

:: Push a “guest worker” immigration plan that conservatives in his own party oppose.

For the immediate future, Bush’s list of most-pressing duties include naming someone to the powerful new post of director of national intelligence, watching the Jan 30 elections in Iraq and mending still-frayed relations with Europe during his first overseas trip of his second term.

Senate Democrats are delaying confirmation of Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State. The inauguration, they said, was only a brief respite in their battle against the Republican majority.

Senator Charles Schumer, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said that “when the inauguration bands stop playing and Congress comes back into session, we Democrats will be on guard and ready to fight against the Republicans’ extreme policies once again.”