NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The president will deliver his state of the union message in less than two hours and he will, we're told by the White House, focus on the economy before turning to the prospect of war with Iraq.

I happen to be one of those who believes the economy, the war against the terror of radical Islamists, and the conflict with Iraq, whether it leads to war or not, are inextricably linked, and all have affected the national mood.

While the president enjoys historically high approval ratings, nearly every survey suggests as many people are concerned about his specific policies, whether domestic or international, as approve of them. And we're all confronted by seeming contradictions.

Consumer confidence is now at a nine-year low, but home sales set a record last year. And while economic growth remains positive, business investment is sluggish at best. Congress and the president have legislated reform of corporate America, but investor confidence is at a record low. Corporate earnings are improving but stock prices aren't. The president has called for massive tax cuts, just as massive federal budget deficits are building.

Democrats call the national mood one of anxiety. Republicans call it one of concern. For my part, I sense more a national mood of ennui and uncertainty. Too many have so much in our society. Too many have so little. We all have so much at risk, while so few of us are risking our lives to preserve our way of life.

Mr. Bush tonight, unlike any president in recent history, will have to break through the national mood if we are to be led successfully to join what the president calls great causes.