With American people searching for a political Robin Hood, President Bush fulfilled the expectations of strength and leadership, state political analysts said.

Framing his State of the Union address, Bush claimed the end of the Cold War and called for the New World Order.

"The speech was very well crafted and Bush appeared strong," said Michael Young, associate director of the Institute of State and Local Affairs in Harrisburg. "He was visible, aggressive, and assertive."

Because he is a president whose poll support is sagging under the weight of the recession, Bush had to demonstrate plausible economic reforms, said Jack Falk, chairman of the Centre County Republican Committee.

"He was very strong in delivering ideas that will get the economy going," Falk said.

But references to world power leave Americans disillusioned about their domestic crises, said Robert O'Connor, associate professor of political science.

"We know he's strong on international politics, but we're not sure what he stands for with domestic politics," O'Connor said, adding that Bush hedged specific solutions for America's ailing economy.

Bush's proposals may have only been Band-Aids for the nation's wounds, said Lynn DuBois, chairwoman of Centre County Democratic Committee, adding that the president is tinkering with the economy.

"Some of the things proposed won't benefit people in the long run," DuBois said, noting that the long process of Congressional voting will hinder direct benefits for the working class.

Fancy rhetoric and a confident persona won't fix the nation's battered economy, she said.

"Bush was long on style but short on substance," she added.

In the election year, the American people not only deserve honesty, they demand it, O'Connor said.

"The American people are looking for substance," O'Connor said, adding that a lot of the speech was re-election political hype. "We need to know specifics -- especially where he's going to get the money for his proposals."

Bush's speech -- his third State of the Union address -- was designed as a textbook for his re-election campaign, spelling out the themes he hopes will carry him to victory in November, Young said.

The speech came at the low point of Bush's presidency, with polls showing he has lost about 45 points from his near-90 percent rating after the Persian Gulf War.