President &to=http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/15427_Bush.html' target=_blank>George W. Bush said Wednesday that even though the state of the union is strong, he understands why some Americans are worried in a time of war and job cuts.
"I understand there's an anxiety about the time of war," Bush said, trying to keep the momentum of the previous night's State of the Union address with an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. "That's natural, seems like to me, even though this economy is roaring. It is strong, when you recognize we've overcome a lot."
Bush tried to pre-empt objections from &to=http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/368/16395_Bush.html' target=_blank>Democrats, who are looking to regain control of the House and Senate in midterm elections this year. The Democrats are looking for advantage in Bush's weak poll numbers and burgeoning scandals in Republican congressional ranks.
"Our economy is the envy of the world," Bush said. "And yet people are changing jobs a lot and there is competition from India and China, which creates some uncertainty. My worry is that people see that uncertainty and decide to adopt isolated policies, or protectionist policies."
Bush has been beset by criticism that his optimistic messages of recent years haven't squared with the worries many &to=http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/16096_Bush.html' target=_blank>Americans feel over high energy and health care costs, the costly and deadly Iraq war and continuing terrorist threats. Democrats said his words could not overcome those problems.
"It just wasn't credible to hear him talk about making America more secure and honoring our troops or making America energy independent or making health care more affordable without hearing him explain why he's done just the opposite for the last five years," said Senate Democratic Minority Leader Harry Reid.
Bush spoke Wednesday from the stage of the jam packed Grand Ole Opry House. Country music stars including Barbara Mandrell, Larry Gatlin, Lee Greenwood, Lorrie Morgan and the Oak Ridge Boys warmed up the crowd under a sign that said "Americans Win When America Leads."
Bush joked to the enthusiastic crowd that he should have given the State of the Union there. "How cool would it have been to give a State of the Union speech in a Porter Wagoner outfit?" he said, referring to the flashy country music star, reports AP.
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