Wednesday
Oct262005
White House Gaggle
Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 3:00AM
By Lovisa Frost
White House Gaggle
October 26, 2005
The President's Schedule
The President had his usual intelligence briefings this morning. He will be meeting with United States Ambassador to Iraq, Khalilzad, to get an update on Iraq, the political process and the adoption of the recent Constitution, the security situation as well as reconstruction efforts. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan plans to bring the Ambassador to the 12.15 briefing for reporters to get his perspective on ground operations in Iraq.
The President is also meeting this morning with the Congressional leadership, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Speaker of the House Hastert, Senate Majority Whip McConnell and House Majority Whip Blunt. McClellan said, "They will discuss spending taxpayer dollars wisely, and how we are moving forward identifying offsets and spending recessions in Congress. We have important needs to be addressed in the Gulf Coast region; we can meet those emergency needs while acting in a fiscally responsible way. "
At 11 am, the President will sign the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
At 12.50 pm, President Bush goes to the Economic Club of Washington, D.C, where he will make remarks about the economy. Among the topics that will be discussed are pro-growth policies, the newly nominated US Federal Reserve Chief Bernanke, and making sure that we are preparing workers for the 21st century with training and education.
In the afternoon, the President welcomes the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Buckovski in the Oval Office. McClellan stated: "Macedonia is a close friend and ally, and they have been making important contributions to peace and security both in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Harriet Miers
Harriet Miers is visiting with Senator Vitter today, and that brings the total number of courtesy visits with members of the Senate to 28. When asked if the nomination is considering being in so much trouble that the White House is thinking of letting Miers do a big speech, McClellan answered, "No, that's news to me."
Leak investigation
When asked if McClellan could describe the atmosphere of anticipation since it seems to be another day with no word from the prosecutor's office, McClellan concluded that; "I just came from senior staff meeting and everybody is focused on the priorities of the American people. We certainly are following the developments in the news, but everybody has got a lot of work to do."
Cheney and Sen.McCain
When asked if Vice President Cheney was freelancing when he talked to Sen. McCain about exemption on torture, McClellan said, "We are not asking for any exemption from any laws or treaty obligations that we are bound by. The President made it clear that it's the policy of the United States that we do not torture. He would not authorize that. There are laws and treaties that we adhere to." The reporter continued, "What is Cheney doing then, taking to McCain about torture?" McClellan stated, "That characterization is flat out wrong. That is absolutely false, and I categorically reject the question."
Bush Family and the Military
In regards to a question whether anyone in the Bush family is currently serving in the military, McClellan said "he is not aware of anyone serving in the family. I know that there are members of the family that are certainly serving in a lot of noble ways, from helping those who suffer from AIDS, or help inner city kids how to read and write." He continued to explain that there are a lot of ways that Americans can serve, not just the military.
Energy Infrastructure
McClellan talked about Speaker Hastert's discussion about the need to increase our energy infrastructure and how the White House shares that goal. McClellan said, "The President is concerned about the impact of energy prices, hard-working American families, small businesses, and our United States economy as a whole. The impact is the result of two factors: Tight supply and increased global demand, as well as the loss of supply and damaged infrastructure form the recent hurricanes. We are working to restore that region, but we have encouraged energy conservation efforts by all. In longer terms, the White House is working to move forward on the energy strategy that was passed by Congress."
Syria
When asked about updates on Syria, McClellan said," There is a draft resolution circulating among France, United States, and United Kingdom among Security Council members, as they had a good discussion yesterday. This is a very serious matter, Syria needs to cooperate fully. The United Nations needs to act. There needs to be accountability for the assassination of the Prime Minister. What occurred can not be tolerated. Non-cooperation can not be tolerated. That is unacceptable. "
Rosa Parks
When asked if anyone from the White House is attending the funeral for Rosa Parks, McClellan told reporters that he will look into it.
White House Gaggle
October 26, 2005
The President's Schedule
The President had his usual intelligence briefings this morning. He will be meeting with United States Ambassador to Iraq, Khalilzad, to get an update on Iraq, the political process and the adoption of the recent Constitution, the security situation as well as reconstruction efforts. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan plans to bring the Ambassador to the 12.15 briefing for reporters to get his perspective on ground operations in Iraq.
The President is also meeting this morning with the Congressional leadership, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Speaker of the House Hastert, Senate Majority Whip McConnell and House Majority Whip Blunt. McClellan said, "They will discuss spending taxpayer dollars wisely, and how we are moving forward identifying offsets and spending recessions in Congress. We have important needs to be addressed in the Gulf Coast region; we can meet those emergency needs while acting in a fiscally responsible way. "
At 11 am, the President will sign the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
At 12.50 pm, President Bush goes to the Economic Club of Washington, D.C, where he will make remarks about the economy. Among the topics that will be discussed are pro-growth policies, the newly nominated US Federal Reserve Chief Bernanke, and making sure that we are preparing workers for the 21st century with training and education.
In the afternoon, the President welcomes the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Buckovski in the Oval Office. McClellan stated: "Macedonia is a close friend and ally, and they have been making important contributions to peace and security both in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Harriet Miers
Harriet Miers is visiting with Senator Vitter today, and that brings the total number of courtesy visits with members of the Senate to 28. When asked if the nomination is considering being in so much trouble that the White House is thinking of letting Miers do a big speech, McClellan answered, "No, that's news to me."
Leak investigation
When asked if McClellan could describe the atmosphere of anticipation since it seems to be another day with no word from the prosecutor's office, McClellan concluded that; "I just came from senior staff meeting and everybody is focused on the priorities of the American people. We certainly are following the developments in the news, but everybody has got a lot of work to do."
Cheney and Sen.McCain
When asked if Vice President Cheney was freelancing when he talked to Sen. McCain about exemption on torture, McClellan said, "We are not asking for any exemption from any laws or treaty obligations that we are bound by. The President made it clear that it's the policy of the United States that we do not torture. He would not authorize that. There are laws and treaties that we adhere to." The reporter continued, "What is Cheney doing then, taking to McCain about torture?" McClellan stated, "That characterization is flat out wrong. That is absolutely false, and I categorically reject the question."
Bush Family and the Military
In regards to a question whether anyone in the Bush family is currently serving in the military, McClellan said "he is not aware of anyone serving in the family. I know that there are members of the family that are certainly serving in a lot of noble ways, from helping those who suffer from AIDS, or help inner city kids how to read and write." He continued to explain that there are a lot of ways that Americans can serve, not just the military.
Energy Infrastructure
McClellan talked about Speaker Hastert's discussion about the need to increase our energy infrastructure and how the White House shares that goal. McClellan said, "The President is concerned about the impact of energy prices, hard-working American families, small businesses, and our United States economy as a whole. The impact is the result of two factors: Tight supply and increased global demand, as well as the loss of supply and damaged infrastructure form the recent hurricanes. We are working to restore that region, but we have encouraged energy conservation efforts by all. In longer terms, the White House is working to move forward on the energy strategy that was passed by Congress."
Syria
When asked about updates on Syria, McClellan said," There is a draft resolution circulating among France, United States, and United Kingdom among Security Council members, as they had a good discussion yesterday. This is a very serious matter, Syria needs to cooperate fully. The United Nations needs to act. There needs to be accountability for the assassination of the Prime Minister. What occurred can not be tolerated. Non-cooperation can not be tolerated. That is unacceptable. "
Rosa Parks
When asked if anyone from the White House is attending the funeral for Rosa Parks, McClellan told reporters that he will look into it.
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