Tuesday
Dec142004
White House Gaggle
Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at 3:00AM
By Ellen Ratner
December 14, 2004
President's Schedule:
The President had his usual briefings. This morning he will give the Medal of Freedom to General Tommy Franks, Director George Tenet and Ambassador L. Paul Bremer. There will be a briefing at the State Department at 1:30 pm and at 1:00 pm at the Pentagon. The President will attend a holiday reception tonight at Blair House for the Diplomatic Corps this evening.
The Economic Conference and Balance of Trade:
Asked by Helen Thomas if labor leaders will be at the Economic Conference, McClellan said there would be a list. He said that the conference would be based on how to face challenges that the economy faces. He said there would be discussion on different ideas and on how we move, "forward on economic growth and job creation" as well as the many challenges that face the economy. McClellan stated that the President intends to move forward with his agenda by working with Congress. He also said that the conference would focus on unfunded liabilities and lawsuit reform. In terms of the October balance of trade numbers, McClellan said that the US economy was growing faster than most economies which could increase the trade deficit. "Exports are rising but imports are growing faster", he said.
Senator McCain:
Asked about the statement of no confidence in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, McClellan said, "the President believes that Secretary Rumsfeld is doing a great job in a time of war."
The Medal of Freedom:
Several questions were raised about the recipients of the Medal of Freedom and why they were being honored. Questions were asked about faulty intelligence, troop strength, etc. McClellan would only say that the reasons for the awards would be spelled out in citations and that, "all three helped to extend freedom to fifty million people in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Iraq Elections:
Asked about The London Times article that if elections were held in Iraq that the Shiites would win the elections, McClellan would only say that the United States was supporting elections in Iraq and that the Iraqi election commission was planning on having elections on January 30th. Seventy parties have filed to be involved in the elections. He said, "let's let the elections take place."
Iran:
The "position is clear", said McClellan and that The White House was supportive of efforts of our European friends. He said that we stay in close contact with our European friends and that Iran, "agreed to end not just suspend their nuclear weapons program".
Nevirapine:
Asked about the AIDS drug, McClellan would only say that it had been approved for use in America and that the White House was moving forward with the President's Relief plan for Africa.
Medicare:
McClellan did not address the overpayment of twenty billion dollars due to mistakes by private contractors.
December 14, 2004
President's Schedule:
The President had his usual briefings. This morning he will give the Medal of Freedom to General Tommy Franks, Director George Tenet and Ambassador L. Paul Bremer. There will be a briefing at the State Department at 1:30 pm and at 1:00 pm at the Pentagon. The President will attend a holiday reception tonight at Blair House for the Diplomatic Corps this evening.
The Economic Conference and Balance of Trade:
Asked by Helen Thomas if labor leaders will be at the Economic Conference, McClellan said there would be a list. He said that the conference would be based on how to face challenges that the economy faces. He said there would be discussion on different ideas and on how we move, "forward on economic growth and job creation" as well as the many challenges that face the economy. McClellan stated that the President intends to move forward with his agenda by working with Congress. He also said that the conference would focus on unfunded liabilities and lawsuit reform. In terms of the October balance of trade numbers, McClellan said that the US economy was growing faster than most economies which could increase the trade deficit. "Exports are rising but imports are growing faster", he said.
Senator McCain:
Asked about the statement of no confidence in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, McClellan said, "the President believes that Secretary Rumsfeld is doing a great job in a time of war."
The Medal of Freedom:
Several questions were raised about the recipients of the Medal of Freedom and why they were being honored. Questions were asked about faulty intelligence, troop strength, etc. McClellan would only say that the reasons for the awards would be spelled out in citations and that, "all three helped to extend freedom to fifty million people in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Iraq Elections:
Asked about The London Times article that if elections were held in Iraq that the Shiites would win the elections, McClellan would only say that the United States was supporting elections in Iraq and that the Iraqi election commission was planning on having elections on January 30th. Seventy parties have filed to be involved in the elections. He said, "let's let the elections take place."
Iran:
The "position is clear", said McClellan and that The White House was supportive of efforts of our European friends. He said that we stay in close contact with our European friends and that Iran, "agreed to end not just suspend their nuclear weapons program".
Nevirapine:
Asked about the AIDS drug, McClellan would only say that it had been approved for use in America and that the White House was moving forward with the President's Relief plan for Africa.
Medicare:
McClellan did not address the overpayment of twenty billion dollars due to mistakes by private contractors.
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