WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush expressed confidence in his party's prospects in November's elections Wednesday, downplaying fears that the scandal over ex-Florida congressman Mark Foley's contacts with teenage congressional pages would cost Republicans control of Congress.

"I think when they get in that booth, they're going to be thinking about how best to secure the country from attack and how best to keep the economy growing," he said.

With less than a month before the Nov. 7 election, CNN polls show declining support for the Iraq war and for the Republican leadership in Congress. More than half of those surveyed in a poll out Monday said they believe House leaders tried to cover up Foley's contacts with teenage congressional pages and think the scandal should cost House Speaker Dennis Hastert his leadership post.