WASHINGTON — President Bush took his oath of office for the second time Thursday, pledging to bring Congress together and unite the world over the divides of hate and oppression.

As wind whipped up the steps of the Capitol, Bush mainly focused his 21-minute speech on international and humanitarian issues.

“Our country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill and would be dishonorable to abandon,” Bush said.

The president also took the opportunity to address the critics of his foreign policy.

“Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty — though this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen, is an odd time for doubt,” he said.

During the speech, the president affirmed his belief that the United States and its allies have used their influence in the world to promote what he called “freedom’s cause.” On more than one occasion, in both foreign and domestic matters, the president emphasized the idea of freedom and how it can unite people.

“Americans, by choice and by birth, are bound to one another in the cause of freedom,” he said. “We have known divisions, which must be healed to move forward in great purposes — and I will strive in good faith to heal them.”

Iowa congressmen echoed the president’s hope that the next term would be more unified than the previous four years.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, took an optimistic approach, and said Democrats, the minority group, will agree to a compromise.

“I think the Democrats learned in the last election that the Senate can’t be a burial ground,” he said. “Democrats see a need for it.”

Gary Blodgett, formerly of Clear Lake, moved to Washington when he accepted a position as a Federal Administrative Judge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Blodgett said, although he is a Bush supporter, he doubts the president will be able to erase partisan lines.

“There are two parties and there are always differences in the two parties,” he said. “I think everyone knows what the problems are, but how to solve them is a different matter.”

Iowans also presented themselves amidst the thousands descending on Washington to witness the president’s inauguration. Early Thursday morning, Grassley and three other Iowa Congressman — Reps. Tom Latham, R-Alexander; Jim Nussle, R-Manchester; and Jim Leach, R-Iowa City — held a breakfast for members of the Iowa delegation in Washington.

Stephanie Millie, 27, a lobbyist from Des Moines, said the crowded room was a change from the way it looked at the same breakfast before the oath was taken in 2001.

“This is twice the amount of people that there was four years ago,” she said. “There are more Iowans out here.”

Not all Iowans in Washington, however, were in full support of the president.

Justen Jones, freshman in political science, joined the ISU Democrats to march down Pennsylvania Avenue with the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism Coalition, holding a sign saying “ISU students against Bush,” which had a picture of Cy shaking a fist at Bush.

“It was really fun,” Jones said. “We all got patted down and then joined the mass of people that exponentially grew. Everyone started yelling different chants.”

Fred Lucas, senior in pre-business, said the tightened security was really frustrating, but it didn’t dampen his spirits.

“It was really relieving,” Lucas said. “I’ve had a lot of pent-up anxiety. It made me feel like I was taking some sort of action.”