Bush on Economy: "We're Going Through a Tough Time"

President Bush held his first news conference in months to discuss the economy and tried to remain optimistic, saying in spite of the slowing economy, "I believe we will come through this challenge stronger than ever before." However, Bloomberg News reports Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke was pessimistic in his Senate testimony, "abandon[ing] his June assessment that the threat of an economic downturn had diminished, telling lawmakers that growth and inflation risks are increasing."