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Upbeat Obama to address Congress Upbeat Obama to address Congress
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama is to tell both houses of Congress that the US will emerge stronger from the current economic crisis, the White House says.US President Barack Obama is to tell both houses of Congress that the US will emerge stronger from the current economic crisis, the White House says.
Making his debut to a joint session of Congress, Mr Obama will tell lawmakers "we will rebuild, we will recover", according to pre-released excerpts.Making his debut to a joint session of Congress, Mr Obama will tell lawmakers "we will rebuild, we will recover", according to pre-released excerpts.
Mr Obama's first weeks in office have been marked by the passage of a $787bn (£545bn) economic stimulus plan.Mr Obama's first weeks in office have been marked by the passage of a $787bn (£545bn) economic stimulus plan.
Earlier, aides said he would offer a "sober assessment" of US prospects.Earlier, aides said he would offer a "sober assessment" of US prospects.
He will emphasise that his hard-fought stimulus bill - which includes efforts to save or create 3.5m jobs - will help restore growth, correspondents say. In the speech to a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Mr Obama will emphasise that his hard-fought stimulus bill - which includes efforts to save or create 3.5m jobs - will help restore growth, correspondents say.
Other initiatives in the first month of Mr Obama's presidency have included a banking bail-out and a plan to support homeowners struggling with mortgages. The "day of reckoning" has arrived for Americans after an era of extravagant spending, the president is expected to tell Congress. I hope it's not all economy tonight. Mr Obama (in his non-state of the union) needs to address Afghanistan Justin WebbBBC North America Editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2009/02/what_will_obama_talk_about.html">Read Justin Webb's blog
Yet despite the gloomy economic outlook, some of the first polls analysing Mr Obama's level of public support indicate that voters still strongly back the man they chose for office fewer than four months ago. The first month of Mr Obama's presidency has included a banking bail-out and a plan to support homeowners struggling with mortgages, as well as the passage of the stimulus plan.
He is due to unveil his first budget later this week with sights set on reducing the giant US budget deficit, currently standing at about $1trillion.
The budget plan will provide a vision for America and a blueprint for the future, the Associated Press reports Mr Obama as saying, although the president is preparing to warn that sacrifices must also be made.
Costly projects prioritised by individual politicians will be among some $2tn of savings that need to be made over the next 10 years, reports say.
The speech to Congress comes as some of the first polls analysing Mr Obama's level of public support indicate that voters still strongly back the man they chose for office fewer than four months ago.
A New York Times/CBS News poll published ahead of his speech put the president's approval rating at 63%, with a Washington Post/ABC News survey showing 68% support.A New York Times/CBS News poll published ahead of his speech put the president's approval rating at 63%, with a Washington Post/ABC News survey showing 68% support.
Both figures were considerably higher than early-term approval ratings for either of the previous two presidents, George W Bush or Bill Clinton.Both figures were considerably higher than early-term approval ratings for either of the previous two presidents, George W Bush or Bill Clinton.
'American qualities''American qualities'
The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington says Tuesday's speech will look and feel like the State of the Union addresses which normally come at about this point in the political calendar.The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Washington says Tuesday's speech will look and feel like the State of the Union addresses which normally come at about this point in the political calendar.
But because Mr Obama is new to office, and therefore not in a position to take responsibility for the triumphs and disasters of 2008, this will be billed simply as an address to the joint houses, our correspondent adds. I hope it's not all economy tonight. Mr Obama (in his non-state of the union) needs to address Afghanistan Justin WebbBBC North America Editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/justinwebb/2009/02/what_will_obama_talk_about.html">Read Justin Webb's blog What is required now is for this country to pull together... and take responsibility for our future once more Barack ObamaUS President But because Mr Obama is new to office, and therefore not in a position to take responsibility for the triumphs and disasters of 2008, this will be billed simply as an address to the joint houses, our correspondent adds.
According to the excerpt released several hours before Mr Obama was due to speak, the president will tell Congress and the American people that the country will overcome its current problems.According to the excerpt released several hours before Mr Obama was due to speak, the president will tell Congress and the American people that the country will overcome its current problems.
"But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.""But while our economy may be weakened and our confidence shaken; though we are living through difficult and uncertain times, tonight I want every American to know this: We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before."
"Those qualities that have made America the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history we still possess in ample measure," Mr Obama will say."Those qualities that have made America the greatest force of progress and prosperity in human history we still possess in ample measure," Mr Obama will say.
"What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more.""What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more."
Mr Obama has said he will halve the budget deficit he inherited from the Bush administration by 2013 - a promise made despite his huge stimulus. Jindal response
Mr Obama has said he will halve the budget deficit he inherited from the Bush administration by 2013 - a promise made despite his huge stimulus. A wounded and worried America will hope for re-assurance and inspiration. Kevin ConnollyBBC News Will Obama feed hunger for hope?US and Japan in economy pledge
The package, signed after compromises debated in both houses, was designed to channel federal money toward infrastructure projects, health care, renewable energy development and conservation programmes.The package, signed after compromises debated in both houses, was designed to channel federal money toward infrastructure projects, health care, renewable energy development and conservation programmes.
Mr Obama's Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, has also unveiled a comprehensive bank bail-out plan worth at least $1.5 trillion (£1.02 trillion).Mr Obama's Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, has also unveiled a comprehensive bank bail-out plan worth at least $1.5 trillion (£1.02 trillion).
For housing, the government has announced a plan to provide refinancing to four to five million "responsible homeowners" on the verge of defaulting.For housing, the government has announced a plan to provide refinancing to four to five million "responsible homeowners" on the verge of defaulting.
Response
One of the president's aides, David Axelrod, said on MSNBC television a day ahead of his boss's speech: "The president has the theory that you treat Americans like adults and tell them where we are and where we need to go."
With many elements to the government's plans, there was a need for "aggressive action," he added. A wounded and worried America will hope for re-assurance and inspiration. Kevin ConnollyBBC News Will Obama feed hunger for hope?US and Japan in economy pledge
"I think the bigger concern is to not be aggressive at a time when a tepid approach could really consign us to a long-term economic catastrophe."
The presidential address begins at 2100 (0200 GMT), with Republican Bobby Jindal delivering his party's response afterwards.The presidential address begins at 2100 (0200 GMT), with Republican Bobby Jindal delivering his party's response afterwards.
The 37-year-old governor of Louisiana - the first Indian-American to occupy such a post - is one of the Republican Party's rising stars, and is tipped as a likely contender for the White House four years from now.The 37-year-old governor of Louisiana - the first Indian-American to occupy such a post - is one of the Republican Party's rising stars, and is tipped as a likely contender for the White House four years from now.