Washington ? President Bush, in his State of the Union speech tonight, will offer ideas for dealing with domestic problems like high energy prices and health care and international troubles like Iran’s suspected nuclear ambitions.

The unspoken agenda underpinning the address, Bush’s fifth, is the rescue of his presidency from arguably its worst year.

His poll numbers fell to the lowest point of his presidency under the weight of missteps following Hurricane Katrina, soaring energy costs, the withdrawal of a Supreme Court nominee, the failure of his high-profile effort to drive a Social Security overhaul, and increasing scrutiny from the public and Congress of the unpopular Iraq war.

While Bush’s approval rating has recovered slightly, it remains in the still-anemic low 40s. It is a matter of concern for Republicans as they worry about maintaining control of Congress in this fall’s midterm elections.

“I can’t tell you how upbeat I am about our future, so long as we’re willing to lead,” Bush said at a photo opportunity Monday with his Cabinet.

Unlike last year’s focus on Social Security, an initiative that failed, Bush’s emphasis will be more diffuse, with proposals aimed at taming health care costs, moving America away from its dependence on foreign energy sources, remaining competitive in the global economy, and getting the ballooning federal deficit under control.

Those four areas also are driving Bush’s post-speech travel. The White House says Bush will give one major speech per week for the next four weeks and in each lay out one domestic initiative he introduces tonight.

McClellan said the State of the Union address has now gone through about two dozen drafts. The president had what was likely be his final two practice sessions with the remarks Monday morning in the White House’s Family Theater.

Bush is expected to propose expanding health saving accounts, the high-deductible health care plan that allows Americans to contribute money tax-free to 401 (k)-like health savings plans, as well as greater tax deductions for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

On the global front, Bush said Monday that the United States and its allies were united in saying Iran must not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.

“We’re working on the tactics necessary to continue putting a united front out,” Bush told reporters.

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was chosen to deliver the State of the Union response for Democrats.