Monday
Mar132006
White House Gaggle
Monday, March 13, 2006 at 3:00AM
By Gregory Gorman
March 13, 2006
President's Schedule
President Bush had his usual briefings this morning. At 9:45 am, the president will meet with Prime Minister Dzurinda of the Slovak Republic in the Oval Office. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan called the Slovak Republic a strong friend and ally. President Bush and Prime Minister Dzurinda will discuss a range of issues including the strong relationship between the two countries in the advance of freedom. At 10:50 am, the president will participate in a photo opportunity with the Intel Science Talent Search Finalists in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House. This afternoon, he will give a speech on the Global War on Terror at George Washington University. Following his remarks, the president will return to the White House where he will participate in a credentialing ceremony for 14 or 15 new ambassadors who have been assigned to the United States. McClellan will brief the press today at noon.
Presidential Censure
In response to a call by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) for a presidential censure of President Bush over the wiretapping issue, McClellan thought it had more to do with 2008 presidential politics than anything else. He said, "I think it does raise the question, how do you fight and win the war on terrorism if Democrats want to argue that we shouldn't be listening to al-Qaeda communications . . . they are right and we welcome the debate". He went on to say that we are a nation at war and that President Bush believes very strongly in using every tool possible to protect the American people . . . ,"I believe that is what most Americans want". The president will continue to fight the war on terrorism on all fronts and the wiretapping is program is vital to prevent attacks and save lives. In response to the continuing questions surrounding the legality of the wiretapping program, McClellan responded, "I think we have been through the legal justification and we have spelled out very clearly the constitutional and statutory authority that the president has . . . we welcome the opportunity to talk about this program".
Iranian Nuclear Issue
The White House believes that everyone in the international community recognizes the importance of preventing the regime in Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. McClellan said, "We are all working together to move forward in a diplomatic way and resolving that". McClellan also stated that the international community will not tolerate a nuclear Iran. He said, "The regime still has the chance to change its course. You can understand why we are skeptical given its history".
War on Terrorism Speech
When asked if the president is making a new set of speeches on the war on terror in order to increase public support for the war in Iraq, McClellan said that the president is making the speeches because he believes that it is important to keep the American people updated and to talk about the strategy being implemented in Iraq. When asked if today's speech audience had been handpicked, McClellan responded that the event is being hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracy and that they distributed the tickets.
Claude Allen Criminal Charges
McClellan outlined the facts surrounding former Domestic Policy Adviser Claude Allen's resignation and the subsequent filing of charges against him. The initial incident took place on January 2, 2006 at a Target store in suburban Maryland. That night, Allen reported the matter to White House Chief of Staff Andy Card who referred Allen to White House Counsel Harriet Miers the next day. Allen explained that he had been apprehended by store security but that the entire event was a misunderstanding related to his credit card. Allen was working on the president's State of the Union address and announced to Harriet Miers that he had been thinking about leaving the White House due to the long hours and his desire to spend more time with his family. He believed that a good transition time would be following the State of the Union. He made his announcement to leave on February 9 and his last day was February 17. During this process, the White House was well aware of the numerous background checks on Allen as a former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, his nomination to the 4th Circuit of Appeals and as a Senior White House staffer. McClellan announced that nothing like this situation had been discovered during the course of any of Allen's background checks. When asked why the White House was surprised by this course of events, McClellan said that the White House was not aware that charges were filed in this matter until the media made the announcement last Friday. Allen had been given the benefit of the doubt due to the various background checks.
March 13, 2006
President's Schedule
President Bush had his usual briefings this morning. At 9:45 am, the president will meet with Prime Minister Dzurinda of the Slovak Republic in the Oval Office. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan called the Slovak Republic a strong friend and ally. President Bush and Prime Minister Dzurinda will discuss a range of issues including the strong relationship between the two countries in the advance of freedom. At 10:50 am, the president will participate in a photo opportunity with the Intel Science Talent Search Finalists in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House. This afternoon, he will give a speech on the Global War on Terror at George Washington University. Following his remarks, the president will return to the White House where he will participate in a credentialing ceremony for 14 or 15 new ambassadors who have been assigned to the United States. McClellan will brief the press today at noon.
Presidential Censure
In response to a call by Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) for a presidential censure of President Bush over the wiretapping issue, McClellan thought it had more to do with 2008 presidential politics than anything else. He said, "I think it does raise the question, how do you fight and win the war on terrorism if Democrats want to argue that we shouldn't be listening to al-Qaeda communications . . . they are right and we welcome the debate". He went on to say that we are a nation at war and that President Bush believes very strongly in using every tool possible to protect the American people . . . ,"I believe that is what most Americans want". The president will continue to fight the war on terrorism on all fronts and the wiretapping is program is vital to prevent attacks and save lives. In response to the continuing questions surrounding the legality of the wiretapping program, McClellan responded, "I think we have been through the legal justification and we have spelled out very clearly the constitutional and statutory authority that the president has . . . we welcome the opportunity to talk about this program".
Iranian Nuclear Issue
The White House believes that everyone in the international community recognizes the importance of preventing the regime in Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. McClellan said, "We are all working together to move forward in a diplomatic way and resolving that". McClellan also stated that the international community will not tolerate a nuclear Iran. He said, "The regime still has the chance to change its course. You can understand why we are skeptical given its history".
War on Terrorism Speech
When asked if the president is making a new set of speeches on the war on terror in order to increase public support for the war in Iraq, McClellan said that the president is making the speeches because he believes that it is important to keep the American people updated and to talk about the strategy being implemented in Iraq. When asked if today's speech audience had been handpicked, McClellan responded that the event is being hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracy and that they distributed the tickets.
Claude Allen Criminal Charges
McClellan outlined the facts surrounding former Domestic Policy Adviser Claude Allen's resignation and the subsequent filing of charges against him. The initial incident took place on January 2, 2006 at a Target store in suburban Maryland. That night, Allen reported the matter to White House Chief of Staff Andy Card who referred Allen to White House Counsel Harriet Miers the next day. Allen explained that he had been apprehended by store security but that the entire event was a misunderstanding related to his credit card. Allen was working on the president's State of the Union address and announced to Harriet Miers that he had been thinking about leaving the White House due to the long hours and his desire to spend more time with his family. He believed that a good transition time would be following the State of the Union. He made his announcement to leave on February 9 and his last day was February 17. During this process, the White House was well aware of the numerous background checks on Allen as a former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, his nomination to the 4th Circuit of Appeals and as a Senior White House staffer. McClellan announced that nothing like this situation had been discovered during the course of any of Allen's background checks. When asked why the White House was surprised by this course of events, McClellan said that the White House was not aware that charges were filed in this matter until the media made the announcement last Friday. Allen had been given the benefit of the doubt due to the various background checks.
Reader Comments