Thursday, March 16, 2006 9:44 p.m. EST

Bush Says GOP Doesn't Fear Future

President Bush delivered a partisan pep talk Thursday night to Republicans who may be jittery about midterm elections while his approval rating is at an all-time low.

"We don't fear the future," Bush told donors who contributed $8 million Thursday night to support Republican House candidates. "We welcome it."

Bush repeated a version of the no-fear refrain three times during a 24-minute speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee's fundraising dinner. He thanked Republican lawmakers for supporting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and said it's important that they stay in control of Congress to pass greater tax cuts, cut the deficit and make it harder for patients to file lawsuits against their doctors.

"I can stand up here and tell you that we have delivered results for the American people, and we've got an agenda to continue to do so," Bush said.