CNN

(CNN)—President Bush told Republican governors meeting in Washington Monday he is confident the GOP will keep the White House this year – and also predicted the party would retake the House and Senate.

“Our ideas are those embraced by the American people,” Bush told attendees at the Republican Governors Association dinner in Washington, citing a strong national defense, lower taxes and less government interaction.

He also said that, despite opinion polls that show a majority of Americans oppose the Iraq war, the public would understand that the conflict was essential to national security. “We will elect someone in the White House who will keep up the fight to make sure Iraq is secure and free,” said Bush.

Related: Watch President Bush tout Republican credentials

–CNN’s Emily Sherman