Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Lovisa Frost
White House Gaggle

March 15, 2006

President's Schedule

President Bush had his usual intelligence briefings. He also has a meeting
with Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. At 11.10 am the President

participates in a bi-cameral Republican leadership meeting in the Cabinet
Room. This afternoon at 1.45 pm President Bush makes remarks on the
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Plan at the Riderwood Community Center
for senior
citizens in Silver Spring, Maryland. At 3.35 pm, he meets with a bi-partisan
group of senators in the Residence, to discuss the competitiveness
initiative that he outlined in this year's State of the Union Address. Later
this afternoon, President Bush participates in a meeting with Republican
House members to talk about the legislative agenda priorities. At 5.25pm, he
departs for the Capitol where he will take part in the celebration of
Hungarian contributions to democracy.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan briefs the press at 12.30
pm.today.

New Team

When asked about Republican Senator Norm Coleman who stated that the
White House has a tin ear and that the President needs to bring in a new
team, McClellan replied that the President has a smart, capable, and
experienced team that is fully committed to advancing his agenda. "We are
staying focused on the priorities that the American people care most about."

Katherine Harris

McClellan was asked to comment on reports that Katherine Harris will
withdraw from the Senate race in Florida, and if the President or any other
members of the White House have talked to her about the race. McClellan
said that he does not know if there have been conversations, and that he
does not keep up with all discussions that go on.

Troop Levels in Iraq

McClellan had nothing to add to the briefing yesterday with Secretary
Rumsfeld and General Pace. The decision concerning resources and troops
needed will be based on recommendations from commanders on the ground. "What
is important is that we continue to focus on training and equipping Iraqi
forces so that they can provide for their own defense," McClellan said.

Moussaoui Trial

When asked if the President was outraged over the development in the
Moussaoui trial, McClellan replied that it is an on-going legal matter, "and
we need to let that legal matter proceed." He also referred to a statement
put out yesterday by the Department of Justice, which says that they are
carefully reviewing the decision, but expressed disappointment about the
decision. They noted the quick action that the prosecutors had taken to
report the misconduct that they did not have knowledge of.

Medicare

McClellan talked about Medicare and health benefits, saying that the vast
majority of seniors say that the system is working well, and they are
realizing substantial savings on prescription drug costs. They also have
access to better benefits and more modern health care. "The competition we
have put in place has helped lower the cost not only for seniors but for
American tax payers as well. We are not playing politics with seniors'
healthcare," McClellan stated.