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Bush seeks to ease economy fears | Bush seeks to ease economy fears |
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President George W Bush is to tell nervous Americans they can be confident about their long-term economic future. | President George W Bush is to tell nervous Americans they can be confident about their long-term economic future. |
But in excerpts released ahead of his final State of the Union address, he urges politicians to resist temptation to enlarge a $150bn stimulus plan. | But in excerpts released ahead of his final State of the Union address, he urges politicians to resist temptation to enlarge a $150bn stimulus plan. |
Speaking at 2100 (0200 GMT), the president will say his troop "surge" in Iraq is succeeding after a long, costly war and that "al-Qaeda is on the run". | Speaking at 2100 (0200 GMT), the president will say his troop "surge" in Iraq is succeeding after a long, costly war and that "al-Qaeda is on the run". |
He will also call on Iran to cease its "support for terror abroad". | He will also call on Iran to cease its "support for terror abroad". |
Speaking on the economy, Mr Bush will acknowledge that the US is "undergoing a period of economic uncertainty" but will seek to reassure the nation. | |
"At kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he will say. | |
But, he will add: "In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth." | |
'Dangerous enemy' | |
In addition, Mr Bush will 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 will urge Tehran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme and "come clean" about its intentions, according to advance excerpts provided by the White House. |
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." | |
On Iraq, Mr Bush is expected to acknowledge that the "enemy is still dangerous and more work remains" to be done. | |
But he will praise the work of American and Iraqi forces in achieving "results few of us could have imagined just one year ago" and assure Americans that al-Qaeda "will be defeated". | |
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters the speech would be "very forward-looking". | White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters the speech would be "very forward-looking". |
"The president thinks his legacy will shake itself out when people look at the record, and history will tell," she said. | "The president thinks his legacy will shake itself out when people look at the record, and history will tell," she said. |
The State of the Union address will be Mr Bush's seventh and last before he leaves office in January 2009. | The State of the Union address will be Mr Bush's seventh and last before he leaves office in January 2009. |
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. |