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Bush addresses US economy fears Bush addresses US economy fears
(8 minutes later)
President George W Bush has urged Americans to have confidence in their economy in the long-term, as he gives his final State of the Union address. President George W Bush has urged Americans to have confidence in their economy in the long-term, as he gave his final State of the Union address.
He acknowledged that growth was slowing and that the US faced "uncertainty".He acknowledged that growth was slowing and that the US faced "uncertainty".
However, a $150bn stimulus plan agreed by Congress and the White House would help, he said, and must be passed soon.However, a $150bn stimulus plan agreed by Congress and the White House would help, he said, and must be passed soon.
Mr Bush also said his troop "surge" in Iraq was succeeding after a long and costly war and that al-Qaeda was "on the run" and would be defeated.Mr Bush also said his troop "surge" in Iraq was succeeding after a long and costly war and that al-Qaeda was "on the run" and would be defeated.
Meanwhile, he called on Iran's leaders to cease their "support for terror abroad" but said the US respected the country's people.Meanwhile, he called on Iran's leaders to cease their "support for terror abroad" but said the US respected the country's people.
In response to Mr Bush's address, Democratic Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius expressed a theme of co-operation and bipartisanship.In response to Mr Bush's address, Democratic Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius expressed a theme of co-operation and bipartisanship.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in a statement that they would "work with the president - where possible - to bolster the housing market and help Americans keep their homes".
Oil dependenceOil dependence
Speaking on the economy, Mr Bush acknowledged that the US was "undergoing a period of economic uncertainty" but he sought to reassure the nation. Speaking on the economy, Mr Bush acknowledged that the US was "undergoing a period of economic uncertainty", but sought to reassure the nation.
"At kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he said."At kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he said.
But, he added: "In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth."But, he added: "In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth."
He also announced a crackdown on congressional earmarks - politicians' pet projects added to spending bills - and threatened to veto the next appropriations bill if the number of such measures were not halved. He also announced a crackdown on congressional earmarks - politicians' pet projects added to spending bills - and threatened to veto the next appropriations bill if the number of such measures was not halved.
Echoing a theme of his 2006 address, when he spoke of the US being "addicted to oil", Mr Bush spoke about the importance of US energy independence.Echoing a theme of his 2006 address, when he spoke of the US being "addicted to oil", Mr Bush spoke about the importance of US energy independence.
"Our security, our prosperity and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," he said."Our security, our prosperity and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil," he said.
In addition, Mr Bush was expected to urge Tehran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme and "come clean" about its intentions, according to advance excerpts provided by the White House. In addition, Mr Bush urged Tehran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme and "come clean" about its intentions.
He will continue: "But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will protect our vital interests in the Gulf." He continued: "But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies, and we will protect our vital interests in the Gulf."
'American response''American response'
On Iraq, Mr Bush acknowledged that the "enemy is still dangerous and more work remains" to be done.On Iraq, Mr Bush acknowledged that the "enemy is still dangerous and more work remains" to be done.
But he praised the work of American and Iraqi forces in achieving "results few of us could have imagined just one year ago" and assured Americans that al-Qaeda "will be defeated".But he praised the work of American and Iraqi forces in achieving "results few of us could have imagined just one year ago" and assured Americans that al-Qaeda "will be defeated".
The president thinks his legacy will shake itself out when people look at the record, and history will tell Dana Perino,White House spokeswoman He urged Congress to "meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops".The president thinks his legacy will shake itself out when people look at the record, and history will tell Dana Perino,White House spokeswoman He urged Congress to "meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops".
Mr Bush said that as a result of progress in Iraq and a transition of operations to Iraqi forces, more than 20,000 troops would be returning to the US in the coming months.Mr Bush said that as a result of progress in Iraq and a transition of operations to Iraqi forces, more than 20,000 troops would be returning to the US in the coming months.
But he warned that any further withdrawal of US troops would depend on conditions in Iraq and the judgement of top officers.
The war in Iraq was a key issue in Mr Bush's 2007 address. He warned then that failure would have "grievous" results.The war in Iraq was a key issue in Mr Bush's 2007 address. He warned then that failure would have "grievous" results.
During 2007, the US military launched the "surge" strategy - a build-up of US troop levels in Iraq - and there have been dramatic improvements in security in many of the most troubled areas, including much of Baghdad.During 2007, the US military launched the "surge" strategy - a build-up of US troop levels in Iraq - and there have been dramatic improvements in security in many of the most troubled areas, including much of Baghdad.
But it was also the most deadly year for US forces in Iraq, with some 900 troops killed.But it was also the most deadly year for US forces in Iraq, with some 900 troops killed.
Mr Bush said 20,000 troops would be withdrawn in the coming months
Ahead of the speech, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters: "The president thinks his legacy will shake itself out when people look at the record, and history will tell."Ahead of the speech, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters: "The president thinks his legacy will shake itself out when people look at the record, and history will tell."
In the Democratic reply to the president's speech, Governor Sebelius said: "In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more: an American response.In the Democratic reply to the president's speech, Governor Sebelius said: "In this time, normally reserved for the partisan response, I hope to offer you something more: an American response.
"There is a chance, Mr President, in the next 357 days, to get real results and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority.""There is a chance, Mr President, in the next 357 days, to get real results and give the American people renewed optimism that their challenges are the top priority."
Lame duck?
The State of the Union address is expected to be Mr Bush's last before he leaves office in January 2009, although he does have the right to deliver one more immediately before he goes.The State of the Union address is expected to be Mr Bush's last before he leaves office in January 2009, although he does have the right to deliver one more immediately before he goes.
According to Gallup polls of approval ratings around the time of the State of the Union addresses, this is the worst year for Mr Bush since his presidency began.According to Gallup polls of approval ratings around the time of the State of the Union addresses, this is the worst year for Mr Bush since his presidency began.
The BBC's Vincent Dowd in Washington says the simple fact that Mr Bush is leaving office means he has less than a year to assert his policies and prove he is no lame duck The BBC's Vincent Dowd in Washington says the simple fact that Mr Bush is leaving office means he has less than a year to assert his policies and prove he is no lame duck.
But with his powers on Capitol Hill restricted by the realities of party politics, and with the US electorate now so clearly in the mood for change, it is not surprising if the speech feels more retrospective than most, our correspondent says. Democratic candidate hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were in Congress watching the speech.
Democratic candidate hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in Congress watching the speech. At least one Republican candidate, John McCain, stayed in Florida ahead of the party's primary in the state on Tuesday.
At least one Republican candidate, John McCain, is staying in Florida ahead of his party's primary in the state on Tuesday.