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CNN :

Bush to give details on Social Security plan

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Wednesday, February 2, 2005 Posted: 6:28 PM EST (2328 GMT)

President Bush practices his State of the Union speech this week at the White House.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush will outline his plan to save a Social Security system that he will warn is heading toward bankruptcy, and present his strategy for "a new phase" in the Iraq war Wednesday night in his State of the Union address.

"Over the next several months, on issue after issue, let us do what Americans have always done and build a better world for our children and grandchildren," Bush will say, according to excerpts of the speech released in advance.

Bush is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress at 9 p.m.

"Fixing Social Security permanently will require an open, candid review of the options," Bush will say. "I will work with members of Congress to find the most effective combination of reforms."

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Bush's speech is timed to run about 40 minutes, not counting breaks for the expected applause. The first half of the address will be dedicated to domestic issues, the second to international affairs, a senior administration official has said.

Aides said Bush will tout progress made in Iraq and Afghanistan, call for continuing diplomacy in the standoffs over nuclear programs in Iran and North Korea and sound an optimistic note about the Middle East peace process.