Bush to make final Union speech

Mr Bush is not expected to put forward any new initiatives

The US economy and Iraq are expected to dominate President George W Bush's final State of the Union address.

Recent economic rescue efforts will be emphasised as Mr Bush seeks to maintain his public profile amid the race to replace him, correspondents say.

Few new big ideas are expected, but the speech is also likely to touch on tax cuts, Aids and security laws.

Democratic candidate hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will be in Congress watching the speech on Monday.

At least one Republican candidate, John McCain, is staying in Florida ahead of his party's primary on Monday.

The war in Iraq was a key issue in Mr Bush's 2007 address. He warned then that failure would have "grievous" results.

I will report that over the last seven years, we've made great progress on important issues at home and abroad President George W Bush

During 2007, the US military launched the "surge" strategy - a build-up US troop levels in Iraq - and there have been dramatic improvements in the security situation 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.

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.

Mr Bush's weekly radio address to the nation on Saturday hinted at what viewers could expect from the speech to Congress on Monday.

He was keen to reassure the American public about the state of the economy and promote the $150bn (£76bn) economic stimulus package agreed with Democrats in Congress.

"I know many of you are worried about the risk of an economic downturn because of the instability in the housing and financial markets," he said.

"You should know that while economic growth has slowed in recent months, the foundation for long-term growth remains solid."

Security

Mr Bush's first State of the Union address came before 11 September 2001, and focused almost entirely on domestic issues.

The focus on national security that has built up since the attacks is also likely to feature this year.

In his radio address, he urged the Democrat-dominated Congress to support laws that "will allow our professionals to maintain the vital flow of intelligence on terrorist threats" - a temporary eavesdropping bill signed last year expires on Friday.

"I call on Congress to pass this legislation quickly," he said. "We need to know who our enemies are and what they are plotting, and we cannot afford to wait until after an attack to put the pieces together."

Mr Bush also wants to make the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 permanent and he is expected to call on Congress to renew his education reform law.

Housing reform better health care and alternative energy development are expected to be on the cards, but he is not likely to try to push reforms on immigration and Social Security, which he has struggled with in the past.

"I will report that over the last seven years, we've made great progress on important issues at home and abroad," he said on Saturday.

"I will also report that we have unfinished business before us, and we must work together."