By Dheeraj Chand
President's Schedule President Bush had his usual morning meetings and briefings this morning. Throughout the day, he will be giving interviews with different regional media outlets. The President is headed to Camp David on Saturday, coming back to D.C. on Monday.

The Regional Media Interviews Press Secretary Snow was asked which regional media outlets would be given interviews. He responded that the major ones were Tribune, Cox, Sinclair and others. He did not clarify the length of the interviews or the subject matter. Maliki's Statements on U.S. Funding Asked about Maliki's comments to the press that the United States government didn't give enough money to Iraqi troops for guns, bullets and other supplies to accomplish their tactical objectives, Snow disputed that characterization of the remark, saying that it was one comment taken in isolation. Both Prime Minster Maliki and President Bush are very serious about a secure Iraq, Snow continued. Hussein Hanging Press Secretary Snow said that President Bush was not insulting the government of Iraq during his interview with Jim Lehrer, and that the disagreement over the hanging of Saddam Hussein was just a disagreement between sovereign governments. Agenda for the Weekend Snow said that the agenda item for now is continuing work on the State of The Union. President's New Strategy Asked whether or not the White House regards Iraqi P.M. Maliki is fully on board with the President's new strategy, Snow enthusiastically responded, "Oh, yeah!" He then said that the situation in front of us is that a foreign head of state wants to take responsibility for political, diplomatic and security issues of his state, just like any other leader. They're moving ahead as we speak, making progress towards critical legislation like the hydrocarbon law, de-Baathification, etc. Republican National Committee Asked again about the RNC meetings taking place, and the anger of Sunbelt and southern border states with the appointment of Sen. Mel Martinez, Snow retorted that he is certain that the RNC is going to ratify Martinez and Duncan. He responded to the specific complaints about Martinez, that he is perceived as being pro-immigration, by saying that the President is aware the that the GOP functions as any political party does, with agreement and disagreement, and will move forward with great leadership. Senate Activity Snow said that the White House does not yet have a statement of administrative policy on the Senate Finance passed small business tax cuts. Responding to questions about the veto threat on the energy bill because of tax increases and spending cuts, Snow said that the President doesn't care for tax hikes. One of the great miracles of modern times, the robust economy in light of historically unprecedented shocks, is largely due to strategic tax cuts, and as a general policy, this administration doesn't care for tax cuts.