Washington ? President Bush on Saturday offered a portrait of Iraq as a country where life is returning to normal after war, insisting that “Iraq is making progress” despite a steady drumbeat of bad news.

Bush said that progress was coming as a result of his “clear strategy.” But Democrats retorted, “The president did not plan well for winning the peace and rebuilding the nation.”

Bush complained this week that the “filter” of the news media was blocking positive developments from reaching Americans, and he opened a public-relations offensive to present an alternative view.

In his weekly radio address, Bush said Iraq was a place where markets were bustling, shelves were full, oil was flowing, and satellite dishes were sprouting up.

“Since the liberation of that country, thousands of new businesses have been launched,” Bush said. “With our assistance, Iraqis are building the roads and ports and railways necessary for commerce.”

Bush noted other developments: an independent central bank, a new system to absorb foreign capital, a new currency.

He made a new pitch for his $87 billion spending request for military operations and rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan. He said it was critical for helping Iraq reach its potential — and for keeping America safer from terrorism.

In their Saturday radio address, Democrats said Bush must provide a more detailed accounting of how the money was being spent before lawmakers voted on the next budget request, likely next week.

“While the battle to oust Saddam Hussein was well-planned and well-executed, the president did not plan well for winning the peace and rebuilding the nation,” said Rep. Baron Hill, D-Ind.

An Iraqi girl gets a notebook from U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Ament, right, of Bravo company, 2-502 Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in a school in downtown Mosul, Iraq. Soldiers of U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division dispensed school supplies, candy and small toys, collected by American families and churches, among the children in the school for girls.