Thursday
Apr282005
White House Gaggle
Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 3:00AM
By Gregory Gorman
April 28, 2005
President's Schedule
The President had his usual briefings and looks forward to welcoming Panamanian President Martin Torrijos to the White House this morning. The United States has good bilateral relations and close cooperation with Panama. Later this afternoon, President Bush will have a working lunch President Torrijos in the White House residence. This evening, the President will hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House. The press conference will be broadcast in prime time and the President will take questions.
Prime Time Press Conference
Press Secretary Scott McClellan suggested that this evening's press conference will focus on two priorities, Social Security and energy. The White House believes that these are two important issues facing the American people and the President has been focused on both for a long time. McClellan also suggested that the President will speak in specific ways during the press conference about how to make Social Security permanently sound and how to reduce the United States' reliance on foreign sources of energy. Helen Thomas asked McClellan if the President would be taking questions in a more free-for-all format instead of taking, "only questions that are safe". She commented that this is "getting to be a real pain". McClellan disagreed with her characterization that the President only takes safe questions. He commented that the President usually begins with questions from the larger news organizations and that he takes suggestions of which questions to take in the beginning but that he moves on to others afterwards.
Social Security Reform
According to the White House, the United States is in an important period for Social Security. There has been "stepped up legislative activity" in Congress and the administration has been going out across the country in its "60 Cities in 60 Days" tour, which will end this weekend, to inform the American people about the problems with Social Security. McClellan said that the administration will continue reaching out to the American people as the initial phase of informing citizens about the problems with Social Security moves into the legislative phase. According to the White House, the initial information phase of the plan to reform Social Security has been a success. McClellan stated that, "the American people recognize that there are serious problems with Social Security and they want Congress to do something about it. Younger Americans believe that if Congress does not act, they are not going to have their Social Security benefits". The President intends to consult Congress as he moves forward with finding a permanent solution for the solvency of Social Security. McClellan said that the President always said that, "at the right time, he will talk to Congress. The President believes that everyone who has ideas about Social Security should come forward".
Foreign Energy Reliance
McClellan stated that the President's opening remarks at tonight's press conference will include a focus on ways to reduce American reliance on foreign sources of energy. He understands that Americans are concerned about prices at the pump and that high gas prices hurt not only individuals but small businesses as well. The President is calling on Congress to pass a comprehensive energy plan and hopes that Congress will get this done before its summer recess.
Judicial Filibuster Issue
McClellan was asked if the President intends to get involved with the current debate on judicial filibusters. He responded that the administration continues to emphasize the desire for up or down votes for judicial nominees but that the President believes that procedural matters in Congress should remain in Congress.
April 28, 2005
President's Schedule
The President had his usual briefings and looks forward to welcoming Panamanian President Martin Torrijos to the White House this morning. The United States has good bilateral relations and close cooperation with Panama. Later this afternoon, President Bush will have a working lunch President Torrijos in the White House residence. This evening, the President will hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House. The press conference will be broadcast in prime time and the President will take questions.
Prime Time Press Conference
Press Secretary Scott McClellan suggested that this evening's press conference will focus on two priorities, Social Security and energy. The White House believes that these are two important issues facing the American people and the President has been focused on both for a long time. McClellan also suggested that the President will speak in specific ways during the press conference about how to make Social Security permanently sound and how to reduce the United States' reliance on foreign sources of energy. Helen Thomas asked McClellan if the President would be taking questions in a more free-for-all format instead of taking, "only questions that are safe". She commented that this is "getting to be a real pain". McClellan disagreed with her characterization that the President only takes safe questions. He commented that the President usually begins with questions from the larger news organizations and that he takes suggestions of which questions to take in the beginning but that he moves on to others afterwards.
Social Security Reform
According to the White House, the United States is in an important period for Social Security. There has been "stepped up legislative activity" in Congress and the administration has been going out across the country in its "60 Cities in 60 Days" tour, which will end this weekend, to inform the American people about the problems with Social Security. McClellan said that the administration will continue reaching out to the American people as the initial phase of informing citizens about the problems with Social Security moves into the legislative phase. According to the White House, the initial information phase of the plan to reform Social Security has been a success. McClellan stated that, "the American people recognize that there are serious problems with Social Security and they want Congress to do something about it. Younger Americans believe that if Congress does not act, they are not going to have their Social Security benefits". The President intends to consult Congress as he moves forward with finding a permanent solution for the solvency of Social Security. McClellan said that the President always said that, "at the right time, he will talk to Congress. The President believes that everyone who has ideas about Social Security should come forward".
Foreign Energy Reliance
McClellan stated that the President's opening remarks at tonight's press conference will include a focus on ways to reduce American reliance on foreign sources of energy. He understands that Americans are concerned about prices at the pump and that high gas prices hurt not only individuals but small businesses as well. The President is calling on Congress to pass a comprehensive energy plan and hopes that Congress will get this done before its summer recess.
Judicial Filibuster Issue
McClellan was asked if the President intends to get involved with the current debate on judicial filibusters. He responded that the administration continues to emphasize the desire for up or down votes for judicial nominees but that the President believes that procedural matters in Congress should remain in Congress.
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