Monday
Feb052007
White House Gaggle
Monday, February 5, 2007 at 3:00AM
By Victoria Jones
White House Gaggle
February 5, 2007
By Victoria Jones
President's Schedule
The President had his normal briefings. He had a meeting with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Rob Portman. The budget rollout is today. Director Portman will brief at 12 noon. At 9.55 the President meets with his Cabinet. At 1.40 there will be a photo op with the NASCAR Nextel 2006 Cup Champion, Jimmy Johnson. This evening there is a social dinner in honor of major league baseball.
Iraq/Baghdad Security
White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto was asked whether the US created conditions in Baghdad that led to this worst suicide attack, due to its slowness in getting the security sweeps underway. Fratto said Generals Caldwell and Petraeus had addressed plans for bringing the security plan to Baghdad recently. This is not a problem that will be solved overnight.
The plan is intended to bring long lasting security to Baghdad, and it will take some time to put all of the elements in place. There is not a target date for when there will be full peace in Baghdad. Fratto did not think the US has been slow. The joint US Iraqi security coordination is being set up in Baghdad this week. The US is on pace as well as can be expected.
Fratto was asked why the President needs another chance in Iraq after four years of war. He said it has only been a year that there has been an elected government in Iraq. They deserve a chance. "After we have destroyed it?" a reporter asked. "After we have liberated it from Saddam Hussein's tyranny, yes", replied Fratto. "Don't liberate me", said the reporter.
Iraq /Refugees
Fratto was asked whether the US is compensating Syria and Jordan for all the refugees from Iraq that are pouring over their borders. Fratto was not aware of any arrangements. He said the US supports numerous refugee organizations and activities through the UN, and we do so on a bilateral basis.
Budget
Fratto was asked if there would be details of how the money is broken down in the budget for Iraq and Afghanistan, due to be released today. Fratto said there would be extensive details. Rob Portman will brief at noon. There will be some account level details and justifications that have not been seen in previous budgets. This has been welcomed by members of congress on both sides of the aisle.
Fratto was asked if the $145B for Iraq and Afghanistan envisions reductions in deployment. Fratto said it is more complicated than that. Portman can get into more detail and speak about how some of the funding is front loaded and some has been used to replace spare parts and equipment. Do not presume that that number is spelling out a policy change in terms of the conduct of operations in Iraq.
Fratto said that it is very difficult to predict costs in future years. There is a number in the budget that puts us closer to some expected spending for '08. We hope the President's plan will, in the out years, allow us to reduce our budget obligations for Iraq. We are not saying that the number for '08 is the final number.
Fratto was asked if he could say whether the budget would be balanced in 2012. Fratto said the estimates for growth in the economy and in revenues are well enough to come to that conclusion. The fact that war funding is included in those projections allows the administration to feel very confident in that projection. It was pointed out that no war spending is proposed after 2009. Fratto said the White House felt comfortable, even not having those numbers, in the outer years that they will get to a balanced budget by 2012.
Iraq Resolutions
Fratto was asked if the administration agrees with Senator McCain that the resolution opposing the war strategy amounts to a vote of no confidence that would be demoralizing to the troops. He said the White House was not in the business of writing resolutions for Congress. It is important to support the troops, to ensure they have what they need, and that they have the support of the American people in carrying out their mission.
Fratto said that the President has discussed his plans for the new way forward in Iraq with members of congress in a variety of meetings and discussions. The White House knows where member of congress are on this issue. There is a good understanding from the American people and among members of congress of where the President is. The plan deserves a chance to succeed.
Fratto was asked if the President is lobbying directly, by calling members etc. He said that conversations with members of congress occur nearly every day in many ways. He is listening to them, and explaining the rationale behind the news way forward. It was pointed out that the word on the Hill is that pressure from the White House is intense. Fratto declined to comment.
Cabinet Meeting
Fratto was asked if the budget is the only issue that the Cabinet will be discussing this morning. He said they will look at a full range of issues, including foreign policy, Iraq, the Farm Bill and the President's plans on energy and health care. A number of these issues have overlapping interests among the departments and agencies, and this is an opportunity to have a discussion around the table with the President, and to raise areas of interest or concern.
White House Gaggle
February 5, 2007
By Victoria Jones
President's Schedule
The President had his normal briefings. He had a meeting with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Rob Portman. The budget rollout is today. Director Portman will brief at 12 noon. At 9.55 the President meets with his Cabinet. At 1.40 there will be a photo op with the NASCAR Nextel 2006 Cup Champion, Jimmy Johnson. This evening there is a social dinner in honor of major league baseball.
Iraq/Baghdad Security
White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto was asked whether the US created conditions in Baghdad that led to this worst suicide attack, due to its slowness in getting the security sweeps underway. Fratto said Generals Caldwell and Petraeus had addressed plans for bringing the security plan to Baghdad recently. This is not a problem that will be solved overnight.
The plan is intended to bring long lasting security to Baghdad, and it will take some time to put all of the elements in place. There is not a target date for when there will be full peace in Baghdad. Fratto did not think the US has been slow. The joint US Iraqi security coordination is being set up in Baghdad this week. The US is on pace as well as can be expected.
Fratto was asked why the President needs another chance in Iraq after four years of war. He said it has only been a year that there has been an elected government in Iraq. They deserve a chance. "After we have destroyed it?" a reporter asked. "After we have liberated it from Saddam Hussein's tyranny, yes", replied Fratto. "Don't liberate me", said the reporter.
Iraq /Refugees
Fratto was asked whether the US is compensating Syria and Jordan for all the refugees from Iraq that are pouring over their borders. Fratto was not aware of any arrangements. He said the US supports numerous refugee organizations and activities through the UN, and we do so on a bilateral basis.
Budget
Fratto was asked if there would be details of how the money is broken down in the budget for Iraq and Afghanistan, due to be released today. Fratto said there would be extensive details. Rob Portman will brief at noon. There will be some account level details and justifications that have not been seen in previous budgets. This has been welcomed by members of congress on both sides of the aisle.
Fratto was asked if the $145B for Iraq and Afghanistan envisions reductions in deployment. Fratto said it is more complicated than that. Portman can get into more detail and speak about how some of the funding is front loaded and some has been used to replace spare parts and equipment. Do not presume that that number is spelling out a policy change in terms of the conduct of operations in Iraq.
Fratto said that it is very difficult to predict costs in future years. There is a number in the budget that puts us closer to some expected spending for '08. We hope the President's plan will, in the out years, allow us to reduce our budget obligations for Iraq. We are not saying that the number for '08 is the final number.
Fratto was asked if he could say whether the budget would be balanced in 2012. Fratto said the estimates for growth in the economy and in revenues are well enough to come to that conclusion. The fact that war funding is included in those projections allows the administration to feel very confident in that projection. It was pointed out that no war spending is proposed after 2009. Fratto said the White House felt comfortable, even not having those numbers, in the outer years that they will get to a balanced budget by 2012.
Iraq Resolutions
Fratto was asked if the administration agrees with Senator McCain that the resolution opposing the war strategy amounts to a vote of no confidence that would be demoralizing to the troops. He said the White House was not in the business of writing resolutions for Congress. It is important to support the troops, to ensure they have what they need, and that they have the support of the American people in carrying out their mission.
Fratto said that the President has discussed his plans for the new way forward in Iraq with members of congress in a variety of meetings and discussions. The White House knows where member of congress are on this issue. There is a good understanding from the American people and among members of congress of where the President is. The plan deserves a chance to succeed.
Fratto was asked if the President is lobbying directly, by calling members etc. He said that conversations with members of congress occur nearly every day in many ways. He is listening to them, and explaining the rationale behind the news way forward. It was pointed out that the word on the Hill is that pressure from the White House is intense. Fratto declined to comment.
Cabinet Meeting
Fratto was asked if the budget is the only issue that the Cabinet will be discussing this morning. He said they will look at a full range of issues, including foreign policy, Iraq, the Farm Bill and the President's plans on energy and health care. A number of these issues have overlapping interests among the departments and agencies, and this is an opportunity to have a discussion around the table with the President, and to raise areas of interest or concern.
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