Tuesday
Jan242006
White House Gaggle
Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at 3:00AM
By Gregory Gorman
January 24, 2006
President's Schedule
President Bush had his usual briefings this morning and will meet with Senators Coleman and Pryor, the co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast. This morning at 11:10, the President will meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Aziz at the White House to discuss the war on terrorism, bilateral trade, economic ties and earthquake reconstruction. Following the meeting, the President and Prime Minister will have a working lunch in the Old Family Dining Room. At 2:00 pm, the President will participate in a photo opportunity on the South Lawn with Tony Stewart, the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion. Later this afternoon, the President will participate in an editing session for the State of the Union address. Press Secretary Scott McClellan will brief at 2:00 pm today.
Hurricane Katrina
In response to a question about new reports that show the government had advance warning of the danger and potential damage from Hurricane Katrina before the storm hit, McClellan said the administration has been taking steps to prevent some of the problems that occurred with Hurricane Katrina in future disaster relief efforts including the "Lessons Learned Review" which is not yet completed. McClellan said, "We will have more to talk about once we have completed the lessons learned review. I am not going to do a play by play analysis. That is why we are undertaking this lessons learned review".
Congressional Wiretapping Authorization
Helen Thomas asked Scott McClellan if the President is planning to go to Congress to ask for the authority to legally eavesdrop on telephone calls. McClellan responded, "The President has the authority to act within the Constitution to do this to protect the American people and that is exactly what he intends to do". McClellan explained the wiretapping program as a terrorist surveillance program aimed at detecting and preventing attacks focused on al-Qaeda communications. He said the President has briefed Congress a number of times and the administration continues to brief Congress about it. According to McClellan, members of Congress agreed to continue the program the way it is instead of moving ahead with legislation that reflects the President's authority. McClellan also said that "domestic spying" is an inaccurate description of the program since one party has to be outside of the United States. He again characterized the program as a "limited targeted program aimed at al-Qaeda communication to detect and prevent attacks".
Canadian Elections
The White House congratulated the Conservative Party of Canada and Prime Minister-elect Stephen Harper on their recent victory. McClellan said, "The United States and Canada have a strong and broad bilateral relationship and we look forward to strengthening our relations".
January 24, 2006
President's Schedule
President Bush had his usual briefings this morning and will meet with Senators Coleman and Pryor, the co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast. This morning at 11:10, the President will meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Aziz at the White House to discuss the war on terrorism, bilateral trade, economic ties and earthquake reconstruction. Following the meeting, the President and Prime Minister will have a working lunch in the Old Family Dining Room. At 2:00 pm, the President will participate in a photo opportunity on the South Lawn with Tony Stewart, the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion. Later this afternoon, the President will participate in an editing session for the State of the Union address. Press Secretary Scott McClellan will brief at 2:00 pm today.
Hurricane Katrina
In response to a question about new reports that show the government had advance warning of the danger and potential damage from Hurricane Katrina before the storm hit, McClellan said the administration has been taking steps to prevent some of the problems that occurred with Hurricane Katrina in future disaster relief efforts including the "Lessons Learned Review" which is not yet completed. McClellan said, "We will have more to talk about once we have completed the lessons learned review. I am not going to do a play by play analysis. That is why we are undertaking this lessons learned review".
Congressional Wiretapping Authorization
Helen Thomas asked Scott McClellan if the President is planning to go to Congress to ask for the authority to legally eavesdrop on telephone calls. McClellan responded, "The President has the authority to act within the Constitution to do this to protect the American people and that is exactly what he intends to do". McClellan explained the wiretapping program as a terrorist surveillance program aimed at detecting and preventing attacks focused on al-Qaeda communications. He said the President has briefed Congress a number of times and the administration continues to brief Congress about it. According to McClellan, members of Congress agreed to continue the program the way it is instead of moving ahead with legislation that reflects the President's authority. McClellan also said that "domestic spying" is an inaccurate description of the program since one party has to be outside of the United States. He again characterized the program as a "limited targeted program aimed at al-Qaeda communication to detect and prevent attacks".
Canadian Elections
The White House congratulated the Conservative Party of Canada and Prime Minister-elect Stephen Harper on their recent victory. McClellan said, "The United States and Canada have a strong and broad bilateral relationship and we look forward to strengthening our relations".
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