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Bush State of Union to Focus on Economy

Will stress need for recession-buster measures

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 28, 2008 4:36 AM CST

(Newser) – During his final State of the Union address tonight, President Bush isn't expected to announce any dramatic new policy initiatives—but will emphasize the need for government action to ward off a recession. The speech, entitled “Trust and Empower,” will call on Congress to permanently extend his $1.6 trillion in tax cuts. He's also expected to ask lawmakers to back wide-ranging federal authority to carry out wiretapping surveillance.

To enact his policies, Bush will trumpet a “spirit of bipartisanship,” but he’ll have a hard time winning over Democratic lawmakers, especially in a feisty election season, says CNN. Bush, who’s awaiting an Iraq progress report, won’t announce any troop withdrawals, but he will tout his Mideast peace talks, which one columnist said are already “on life support.”

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and then Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert R.-Ill. applaud during President Bush's State of the Union address on Capitol Hill in this Jan. 29, 2002 file photo. (AP... (Associated Press)

President Bush may not win over Democrats with some of his proposals at tomorrow's "State of the Union" address, CNN says. Bush has advocated a permanent extension of his tax cuts, but House Speaker Nancy... (Associated Press)

Much of President Bush's final "State of the Union" address will focus on things he already has asked Congress to pass -- an overhaul of federal laws governing electronic surveillance, permanent extensions... (Associated Press)

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Bush State of Union to Focus on Economy