Bush 'not distracted' by political problems

US President George Bush today vowed to avoid the “background noise” of criminal investigations and other Republican political problems to focus on the county’s needs.

With his political stock falling and several allies under investigation, Bush tried to keep focus on US business at a White House news conference with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Even with a foreign leader at his side, it was hard for Bush to ignore the contretemps of Washington.

He was asked about his political problems in general, and one in particular: the troubled nomination of Harriet Miers to be a Supreme Court justice.

He acknowledged that Miers, a long-time friend, emerged from a “little different process from the norm.”

After relative smooth sailing with the nomination of John Roberts to be chief justice, Bush faces criticism from both sides of the political divide – most notably from long-time conservative allies – over Miers.

His claim that she is the most qualified candidate has been roundly criticised.