Bush State of Union to Focus on Economy

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.” (More George W. Bush stories.)