US: Financial Crisis - President Bush to Urgently Address American Nation Tonight

With a financial rescue plan facing a tough sell in Congress, President George W. Bush has scheduled a major televised address Wednesday night, hoping to persuade the U.S. public that the massive proposal is relevant to them and "get this over the goal line" with lawmakers.

"The president believes it is important for the American people to fully understand the depths of the crisis affecting our country, how that affects them," White House press secretary Dana Perino said in announcing the speech. "I think everyone will tune in tonight because we are facing a once-in-a-century crisis in our financial markets."

The address, to be delivered from the White House's grand East Room, is to be between 12 and 14 minutes long, Perino said. Bush last gave a prime-time address to the nation 377 days ago, on the Iraq war, when he announced a gradual reduction in U.S. forces there. This one, expected to be carried by all five major television outlets, could be the last of his presidency.