President Bush says he sees no link between the struggling U.S. economy and the Iraq war. Bush was asked about the relation between the two on NBC’s Today Show.

Ann Curry: “You don’t agree with that? It has nothing do with the economy, the war — spending on the war?”

President Bush: “I don’t think so. I think actually the spending in the war might help with jobs…because we’re buying equipment, and people are working. I think this economy is down because we built too many houses and the economy’s adjusting.”

Bush was interviewed in Africa, where he continues his five-nation tour.