Bush calls domestic problems "background noise"

Bush was asked how preoccupied the White House was by distractions that include an investigation into whether any of his top aides deliberately outed a CIA operative, a conservative revolt over his nomination of Harriet Miers as a Supreme Court justice and investigations into senior Republican leaders in Congress.

Bush told reporters he was concentrating on his work.

"There's some background noise here, a lot of chatter, a lot of speculation and opining. But the American people expect me to do my job, and I'm going to," Bush said in the White House Rose Garden, after talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The president has been hit by falling job approval ratings in public opinions polls in recent months.

"Part of my job is to work with others to fashion a world that'll be peaceful for future generations. And I've got a job to do to make sure this economy continues to grow," Bush said.

He added that he also had to ensure there was a workable reconstruction plan for areas hit by Hurricane Katrina in August.