WASHINGTON (CNN) -- When it comes to referring to Democrats, some habits die hard for President Bush.

In his Rose Garden press conference Tuesday morning, Bush referred to the party in a way many Democrats find disparaging.

"Democrat leaders in Congress seem more interested in fighting political battles in Washington than in providing our troops what they need to fight the battles in Iraq," he said, dropping the "ic" at the end of "Democrat."

"If Democrat leaders in Congress are bent on making a political statement, then they need to send me this unacceptable bill as quickly as possible when they come back," he added.

Bush made the same mistake in his State of the Union Address on Jan 23, when he congratulated the new "Democrat majority."

Several Democrats took offense to the president's mispronunciation -- one that many Republican leaders have made previously -- and Bush later said it was an oversight.

Later in Tuesday's press conference, Bush used the term a third time, but corrected himself.

"In a time of war, it's irresponsible for the Democrat leadership -- Democratic leadership in Congress to delay for months on end while our troops in combat are waiting for the funds."