President Bush will today use an address to the nation to offer a package of new federal aid to help uprooted hurricane victims rebuild their lives.
He is to announce his reconstruction plan in New Orleans during a televised address this evening that is also aimed at mending his image as a strong leader in a time of crisis.
It is Mr Bush's first formal prime-time speech during more than two weeks of suffering along the Gulf.
Rather than speak before a live audience, Mr Bush plans to stand alone and broadcast his message directly into the camera from the evacuated city's historic Jackson Square, according to a White House official.
The format of the speech is reminiscent of his address from the front of the Statue of Liberty three years ago on the first anniversary of the September attacks.
Presidential advisers drafting the speech are working on plans for legislation that would provide job training and housing for people who have to start over, according to one Republican official.
The advisers also were discussing tax credits for businesses to stay in the devastated region, said the official.
Polling shows Americans are willing to pay to rebuild New Orleans. According to a CBS-New York Timespoll released yesterday, 73 per cent expect their taxes will increase as a result of Katrina, and more than half said they were willing to pay more taxes to help with Katrina recovery, job training and housing for victims.
Mr Bush, who prides himself on being a direct communicator, has struggled to convey a clear message since the storm hit. He began this week by dismissing questions about what went wrong as a "blame game", but on Tuesday he said he took responsibility for any failures on the federal end.
AP