Lame duck?
The State of the Union address, traditionally delivered once a year, is expected to be Mr Bush's last before he leaves office in January 2009.
He would, however, have the option to deliver one immediately before he goes.
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.
The BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington says Mr Bush's speech was overall more businesslike than inspirational, perhaps more reflective of a more realistic president - aware that some of his policy goals would now remain elusive but determined that others would not.