Friday
Apr292005
White House Gaggle
Friday, April 29, 2005 at 3:00AM
By Kelly Giddens
April 29, 2005
President's Schedule
The President had his usual briefings this morning. He also taped his radio address on Social Security. The President will be speaking at James Lee Community Center in Falls Church Virginia this morning at 10:20 am about his proposed Social Security Plan, specifically addressing how it will affect young people. This afternoon the President will have his weekly lunch with Vice President Cheney at the White House. On the North Lawn at 1:15 pm the President will commemorate Arbor Day by planting a chestnut tree on the White House grounds.
Social Security
Following the press conference last night White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan answered a variety of questions regarding Social Security. He reiterated the President's belief that under the current system, all Americans will be forced to swallow a cut in benefits in the future. He cited the Social Security Administration saying that cuts may be as high as 27% for all Americans beginning in 2041, when the system defaults. He also stated that the President has put forth ideas to "advance a bipartisan solution" and make Social Security permanently sound. He also expressed the President's interest in providing a greater rate of return for younger Americans. He also called current promised benefits an "empty promise." McClellan reaffirmed the President's belief that lower class Americans will realize that the benefits promised to them under this new proposal outweigh those of the current system. McClellan also expressed his feeling that this morning's headlines, which stated that the President called for cuts in benefits, were misleading and did not reflect the President's actual remarks. He also criticized the "do-nothing approach" of Democratic leaders and called on them to come forward with ideas so both parties can work together to find solutions. McClellan noted that House and Senate leaders are moving forward in beginning the legislative process to Social Security reform. McClellan touched upon the President's progressive index approach which would determine benefits according to wage for the poorest Americans and inflation for the richest along a sliding scale.
Medicaid and Tax Cuts
Mr. McClellan responded to questions regarding the tax cuts and cuts in Medicaid saying "only in Washington is a 35% increase considered a cut." He elaborated and said that Medicaid is continuing to grow. He noted however, that the administration is working to get rid of accounting gimmicks and loopholes in the system. In regards to tax cuts, McClellan noted that the administration provided tax cuts for all levels of income and that the greatest cuts were given to the lower income brackets.
North Korea
McClellan stressed the importance of the 6-party talks in resolving the problem in North Korea. He also reinforced the President's commitment to finding a diplomatic solution and ensuring that the region is nuclear free. He stated that the President felt the best approach to solving the problem with North Korea diplomatically is to get all the countries in the region talking about something that will impact them all. He said that it is important for North Korea to come back to the talks in order to move forward with the process.
April 29, 2005
President's Schedule
The President had his usual briefings this morning. He also taped his radio address on Social Security. The President will be speaking at James Lee Community Center in Falls Church Virginia this morning at 10:20 am about his proposed Social Security Plan, specifically addressing how it will affect young people. This afternoon the President will have his weekly lunch with Vice President Cheney at the White House. On the North Lawn at 1:15 pm the President will commemorate Arbor Day by planting a chestnut tree on the White House grounds.
Social Security
Following the press conference last night White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan answered a variety of questions regarding Social Security. He reiterated the President's belief that under the current system, all Americans will be forced to swallow a cut in benefits in the future. He cited the Social Security Administration saying that cuts may be as high as 27% for all Americans beginning in 2041, when the system defaults. He also stated that the President has put forth ideas to "advance a bipartisan solution" and make Social Security permanently sound. He also expressed the President's interest in providing a greater rate of return for younger Americans. He also called current promised benefits an "empty promise." McClellan reaffirmed the President's belief that lower class Americans will realize that the benefits promised to them under this new proposal outweigh those of the current system. McClellan also expressed his feeling that this morning's headlines, which stated that the President called for cuts in benefits, were misleading and did not reflect the President's actual remarks. He also criticized the "do-nothing approach" of Democratic leaders and called on them to come forward with ideas so both parties can work together to find solutions. McClellan noted that House and Senate leaders are moving forward in beginning the legislative process to Social Security reform. McClellan touched upon the President's progressive index approach which would determine benefits according to wage for the poorest Americans and inflation for the richest along a sliding scale.
Medicaid and Tax Cuts
Mr. McClellan responded to questions regarding the tax cuts and cuts in Medicaid saying "only in Washington is a 35% increase considered a cut." He elaborated and said that Medicaid is continuing to grow. He noted however, that the administration is working to get rid of accounting gimmicks and loopholes in the system. In regards to tax cuts, McClellan noted that the administration provided tax cuts for all levels of income and that the greatest cuts were given to the lower income brackets.
North Korea
McClellan stressed the importance of the 6-party talks in resolving the problem in North Korea. He also reinforced the President's commitment to finding a diplomatic solution and ensuring that the region is nuclear free. He stated that the President felt the best approach to solving the problem with North Korea diplomatically is to get all the countries in the region talking about something that will impact them all. He said that it is important for North Korea to come back to the talks in order to move forward with the process.
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