US:US president George Bush has used his final State of the Union address to ask Congress to work with him during his declining months in office on a handful of policy initiatives, starting with an economic stimulus package to stave off a recession.
Mr Bush's speech included none of the grand schemes of earlier years, when he spoke of reforming the social security system and sought "the end of tyranny in our world". He focused instead on safeguarding his legacy by renewing the unpopular "No Child Left Behind" education Bill, making his tax cuts permanent and staying the course in Iraq.
"Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum," he told the joint session of Congress as vice-president Dick Cheney and House speaker Nancy Pelosi sat behind him.
"In that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. We have faced hard decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy and the health and welfare of our citizens. These issues call for vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say we've answered that call."
Mr Bush said he would use his veto power to stop Congress from stuffing extra spending measures, known as earmarks, into appropriations Bills but he expressed confidence that they could work together to boost the economy.
"To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy. As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty.
"America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. And at kitchen tables across our country, there is concern about our economic future," he said.
The president said his strategy in Iraq was working and that a surge in US troop numbers there had reduced violence and helped to create the conditions for political reconciliation.
He promised to work with Israel's government and the Fatah leadership of the Palestinian Authority to seek a two-state solution in the region but he insisted that there would be no compromise with Iran on its nuclear ambitions.
"Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home and cease your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops, we will stand by our allies and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf," he said.
In a sign of the shifting political interest in Washington, much of the media commentary focused not on Mr Bush's speech but on a scene in the chamber when Barack Obama apparently snubbed Hillary Clinton. Mr Obama's campaign insisted yesterday that he had not intentionally turned his back on his rival for the presidential nomination but was turning to greet someone else.
In the official Democratic response to the State of the Union speech, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius called on the president to use his last months in office to change course at home and abroad.
"The last five years have cost us dearly - in lives lost, in thousands of wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same, in challenges not met here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere," she said.
