Washington:  Congressional Democrats rebuffed US President George W. Bush's call to support his plan to increase the American presence in Iraq and accused Bush of 'recklessly' leading the US into the war. 

"The president took us into this war recklessly," said senator Jim Webb, who is all set to deliver the Democratic response to Bush's state of the union address.

"We are now, as a nation, held hostage to the predictable and predicted disarray that has followed," he said.

A copy of the speech was made available Tuesday before delivery.
 

Webb came to the senate in the Nov 7 elections in a campaign victory that was essential for the Democrats to take control of Congress' upper house.

Webb, a former Republican whose son is serving in Iraq, steadfastly opposes the war and reportedly shunned Bush's inquiries on the welfare of his son at a White House reception after the election.
 

Webb urged Bush to not send the 21,500 extra troops to Iraq, but to begin pulling troops out.

"Not a precipitous withdrawal that ignores the possibility of further chaos," Webb said. He added Bush should strengthen regional diplomacy and move toward removing US soldiers from the streets of Iraqi cities.

Webb warned that Bush must take steps to improve American diplomacy in the world and measures that would hasten the US departure from Iraq.

"If he does, we will join him. If he does not, we will be showing him the way," Webb said.