INSTANT VIEW: Bush's speech draws skeptical economic reviews

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush used his last State of the Union address on Monday to try to reassure Americans nervous about the faltering economy and to chart a course he hopes will help him stay relevant as he is eclipsed by the race to choose his successor.

Much of the reaction to Bush's speech centered on his $150 billion stimulus package, worked out with Congressional leaders and meant to avert recession in an economy suffering from high oil prices and a housing slump.

COMMENTARY:

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY, DEMOCRAT OF MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRAT

In just one month, over 200,000 families have lost their homes. The housing crisis is expected to lead to 2 million foreclosures in just the next two years. We need real solutions to help families keep their homes, but you didn't hear any tonight.

What you heard tonight was a president so desperate to cover up his five-year-long program of warrantless eavesdropping on Americans that he would throw out all of the lawsuits against the phone companies who cooperated in his illegal program.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, EDITORIAL

The nation is splintered over the war in Iraq, cleaved by ruthless partisan politics, bubbling with economic fear and mired in debate over virtually all of the issues Mr. Bush faced in 2002. And the best Mr. Bush could offer was a call to individual empowerment -- a noble idea, but in Mr. Bush's hands just another excuse to abdicate government responsibility.

MICHAEL PENTO, SENIOR MARKET STRATEGIST, DELTA GLOBAL