Tuesday
May022006
White House Gaggle
Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 3:00AM
By Gregory Gorman
May 2, 2006
President's Schedule
The president spoke with Afghan President Kharzai this morning to congratulate him on the approval and swearing-in of his new Cabinet. The two leaders discussed the security situation in Afghanistan, the continued NATO deployments in the country and the importance of counter-narcotic efforts. The president then had his usual intelligence briefings. Later this morning, the president will drop by a meeting with the Secretary of the Russian Security Council. The upcoming G8 Summit, Iran and negotiations with the World Trade Organization will be discussed during the meeting. The president will have his weekly lunch with Vice President Cheney today. Later this afternoon, the president will meet with a bi-cameral delegation of Republican Congressional leadership including Speaker Hastert, House Majority Leader Boehner, House Majority Whip Blunt, Senate Majority Leader Frist and Senate Majority Whip McConnell. There may be more members added to the meeting. The president will have a legislative work day at the White House to focus on several issues including taxes, supplemental spending bills, immigration, energy and health care. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced that the president will send a presidential delegation headed by the first lady to San José, Costa Rica on May 8, 2006, for the inauguration of Costa Rican President-elect Oscar Arias Sanchez. The press secretary will brief the press today at noon.
Addressing High Gas Prices
The White House commends Republican leaders in Congress for putting forth ideas to address the high prices of gas. The president wants to end this cycle of high gas prices being caused by too much demand and not enough supply. In response to the discussion of a $100 gas tax rebate, McClellan said the White House is continuing to look at several short-term ways to address higher gas prices.
Off Shore Drilling
In response to a question about whether the president has spoken to his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, about off-shore drilling, McClellan said that he thinks the brothers have a common approach. McClellan acknowledged that President Bush has said that he favors more off-shore drilling and that he desires to work with local and state leaders on the issue of off-shore drilling.
Lobby and Earmark Reform
On lobby and earmark reform, McClellan suggested one way to address the issue would be to allow the president the line item veto.
Jack Abramoff's White House Visits
On Abramoff's White House visit records being turned over to a watchdog group, McClellan said, "We are aware of it and we are fine with it". However, he cautioned the members of the press corps that they should not view the records as a complete historical record. When asked to explain his comment, McClellan said, "I wouldn't take it as a complete historical record. They have certain records. They don't keep all historical records. It is just certain records that they keep that they will be providing". McClellan then said that nothing has changed since the last time he discussed Abramoff's previously acknowledged visits to the White House.
Iran Sanction Assurances
When asked about assurances made by Russia and China, reported by Tehran, that they would not support sanctions against Iran for its nuclear weapons program, McClellan responded, "We are all united in our goal of preventing the regime from obtaining nuclear weapons". He then cautioned that this information is based on what the current Iranian regime has said, reiterating, "This is a regime that has said many things".
Future of the Press Secretary
In response to a question about what he plans to do when he leaves the post of White House Press Secretary, McClellan said he has received several interesting opportunities including joining the speaking circuit. However, he reminded the press corps, "I am still here for a little while longer".
May 2, 2006
President's Schedule
The president spoke with Afghan President Kharzai this morning to congratulate him on the approval and swearing-in of his new Cabinet. The two leaders discussed the security situation in Afghanistan, the continued NATO deployments in the country and the importance of counter-narcotic efforts. The president then had his usual intelligence briefings. Later this morning, the president will drop by a meeting with the Secretary of the Russian Security Council. The upcoming G8 Summit, Iran and negotiations with the World Trade Organization will be discussed during the meeting. The president will have his weekly lunch with Vice President Cheney today. Later this afternoon, the president will meet with a bi-cameral delegation of Republican Congressional leadership including Speaker Hastert, House Majority Leader Boehner, House Majority Whip Blunt, Senate Majority Leader Frist and Senate Majority Whip McConnell. There may be more members added to the meeting. The president will have a legislative work day at the White House to focus on several issues including taxes, supplemental spending bills, immigration, energy and health care. White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced that the president will send a presidential delegation headed by the first lady to San José, Costa Rica on May 8, 2006, for the inauguration of Costa Rican President-elect Oscar Arias Sanchez. The press secretary will brief the press today at noon.
Addressing High Gas Prices
The White House commends Republican leaders in Congress for putting forth ideas to address the high prices of gas. The president wants to end this cycle of high gas prices being caused by too much demand and not enough supply. In response to the discussion of a $100 gas tax rebate, McClellan said the White House is continuing to look at several short-term ways to address higher gas prices.
Off Shore Drilling
In response to a question about whether the president has spoken to his brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush, about off-shore drilling, McClellan said that he thinks the brothers have a common approach. McClellan acknowledged that President Bush has said that he favors more off-shore drilling and that he desires to work with local and state leaders on the issue of off-shore drilling.
Lobby and Earmark Reform
On lobby and earmark reform, McClellan suggested one way to address the issue would be to allow the president the line item veto.
Jack Abramoff's White House Visits
On Abramoff's White House visit records being turned over to a watchdog group, McClellan said, "We are aware of it and we are fine with it". However, he cautioned the members of the press corps that they should not view the records as a complete historical record. When asked to explain his comment, McClellan said, "I wouldn't take it as a complete historical record. They have certain records. They don't keep all historical records. It is just certain records that they keep that they will be providing". McClellan then said that nothing has changed since the last time he discussed Abramoff's previously acknowledged visits to the White House.
Iran Sanction Assurances
When asked about assurances made by Russia and China, reported by Tehran, that they would not support sanctions against Iran for its nuclear weapons program, McClellan responded, "We are all united in our goal of preventing the regime from obtaining nuclear weapons". He then cautioned that this information is based on what the current Iranian regime has said, reiterating, "This is a regime that has said many things".
Future of the Press Secretary
In response to a question about what he plans to do when he leaves the post of White House Press Secretary, McClellan said he has received several interesting opportunities including joining the speaking circuit. However, he reminded the press corps, "I am still here for a little while longer".
Reader Comments