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CRAWFORD, Texas—President Bush, defending his record and his rhetoric, said Saturday that his administration has been “clear and candid” about the nation’s economy.

“We saw the economic slowdown coming, we were up front about these concerns with the American people, and we’ve been taking decisive action,” Bush said in his weekly radio address.

The president’s comments appeared at least partly in response to a drumbeat of criticism from Democratic leaders, who say his view of the economy is rosy and unrealistic.

Bush sounded an upbeat tone following a modest ...