Bush says U.S. 'will weather this rough period'

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- President Bush, defending his record and his rhetoric, said Saturday that his administration has been "clear and candid" about the nation's economy.

"We saw the economic slowdown coming, we were upfront about these concerns with the American people, and we've been taking decisive action," Bush said in his weekly radio address.

The president's comments appeared at least partly in response to a drumbeat of criticism from Democratic leaders, who say his view of the economy is rosy and unrealistic.

Bush sounded an upbeat tone following a modest uptick of economic news this week.

The economy grew in the first quarter of the year, but by a meager 0.6 percent. Yet it was not the contraction that some analysts feared. Employers slashed fewer jobs in April than they had in earlier months. The unemployment rate in April also fell slightly.

"No temporary setbacks can hold back the most powerful force in our economy -- the ingenuity of the American people," Bush said. "Because of your hard work and dedication, I am confident that we will weather this rough period and emerge stronger than ever." Listen as Bush urges Congress to do more on the economy »

Consumer confidence, a vital part of the economy's health, has hit record lows. And in the public's mind, the president's handling of the economy has taken a serious blow, too.

In Bush's final year in office, families have been hit from all sides -- soaring gas prices, crumbling mortgages, rising grocery bills, struggles to afford college loans.

The president is counting on a short-term economic boost to help. In a deal he reached with Congress in February, tax rebate checks of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples are on their way to more than 130 million households.

"This package will help American families increase their purchasing power and help offset the high prices that we're seeing at the gas pump and the grocery store," Bush said.

The true effect of those rebates remains a hotly debated question in economic circles.

U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indiana, said more is needed.

"While these recovery rebate checks are a significant first step, we know we must do more to help workers who have lost their jobs and families who are at risk of losing their homes," Carson said Saturday in the Democrats' weekly radio address.

"Democrats are also fighting for a second economic stimulus package and are working hard to enact comprehensive housing legislation that will help more Americans avoid foreclosure and hold on to the American Dream."

Carson also noted last Thursday's anniversary of Bush declaring "mission accomplished" in Iraq.

"If we took even a fraction of the billions of dollars we spend in Iraq and used them here at home, we could make real progress and help get our nation out of our economic slump," the Democrat said. Listen as Carson says it's time to begin bringing troops home from Iraq »

Bush used the bulk of his weekly radio platform to pressure Congress, once again, into approving legislation he says would help the sluggish economy rebound even more.

Among his agenda for lawmakers: Make permanent his first-term tax cuts, which are due to expire in 2010; allow drilling for oil in northern Alaska and encourage more oil refining capacity; and modernize the Federal Housing Administration to allow some additional homeowners to refinance from subprime loans into government-backed mortgages.

The president has made such arguments for weeks, to no avail on Capitol Hill.

Bush taped the radio address Friday in Washington before delivering an economic speech outside St. Louis, Missouri, and then heading to his Texas ranch for the weekend. E-mail to a friend

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