ABC News: Bush Calls Recent Woes 'Background Noise'

Bush Vows Not to Be Distracted by 'Background Noise' of Political Problems, Investigations of Aides
By TERENCE HUNT
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON - President Bush vowed Thursday to avoid the "background noise" of investigations and political problems to focus on the nation's needs.

"The American people expect me to do my job, and I'm going to," he said.

With his political stock falling and several allies under investigation, Bush tried to keep focus on the nation's business at a Rose Garden news conference with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

He said that prospects for Palestinians were gaining steam and noted that there have been elections and Israeli land withdrawals since Abbas' last White House visit. "It's been an eventful year," Bush said.

Abbas criticized Israel's security wall and urged the nation to lift curbs on Palestinian travel on the West Bank. "Peace requires a departure from the policies of occupation," he said.