Bush gives final press conference

As the January 20th exit date draws closer, George W. Bush gave his final press conference as President and took the opportunity to comment on his legacy, shortcomings, and the work that awaits President elect Barack Obama.

"Through it all, I have respected you," the President told the White House Press Corps, going on to joke that they had sometimes 'misunderestimated' him.

In regard to questions surrounding the remaining $350 billion of TARP funds, Bush explained that he is waiting for President-Elect Obama to ask for the TARP funds before sending the request to Congress.

When asked about the situation in Gaza, the President commented that he would like to see a two state solution and noted that in order for Israel to be successful, they would need a democracy along their border. On the subject of ending the conflict, Bush said that the responsibility lies with the Palestinians and that there can be no peace until Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel.

Bush stated that although there is a debate within the intelligence community, he believes North Korea is still a viable threat and capable of producing enriched Uranium.

The President commented on the future of his party, warning that the temptation may exist for Republicans to isolate themselves by looking inward and applying a litmus test to judge themselves by. Bush felt that the Republican party should try to be more broad minded and compassionate.

He stated that he was not sure why critics have been so harsh towards him and also denied the notion that America's moral standing had been diminished by his Presidency, saying that those allegations have been coming from elites in Western Europe and not from areas like Africa or Asia where U.S. influence matters most.

When questioned about preemptive pardons, the President refused to give a statement.

Bush acknowledged that there have been a number of mistakes and disappointments throughout his presidency, and cited the infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner, prisoner abuse in Abu Ghraib, and not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The President also regretted campaigning to alter Social Security so close after the 2004 election, saying that he should have focused on immigration reform instead.

One action that the President did not view as a mistake was the handling of Hurricane Katrina. Bush predicted that had he landed the plane in New Orleans or Baton Rogue, the diversion of police forces for his protection would have caused controversy as well. He also said that he felt it was unfair to call the response time slow, citing the 30,000 New Orleans residents who were rescued by helicopter after the storm hit.

Bush said that after his term, he expected to leave the spotlight, although he admitted that as a 'Type-A' personality, that was unlikely.

One glaring omission from the conference was an attempted question by veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas. Although having her hand raised for the final question, the President did not choose her.

Speaker Pelosi comments on the economic recovery package, Israel

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) discussed the economic recovery package and described the advantageous situation Congressional Democrats have found themselves in.

"We have to think differently about this. We've been so used to an uphill fight, but now we have arrived. We have a strong 80 vote majority in the House, we have a Democratic President in the White House," said Pelosi during her first weekly press conference of the 111th Congress.

"His economic recovery package, almost sight unseen, is supported by 79% of the American people, so we have the opportunity to move...not hastily, but quickly. "

The Speaker promised that the details will be dealt with by the appropriate committees in the following weeks and promised that a bill will be drafted before Congress goes into recess.

Pelosi blamed the Bush tax cuts for upper class Americans as the largest contributor to the deficit and stated,

"Put me down, as clearly as you possibly can, as one who wants to have those tax cuts for the wealthiest in America repealed."

The Speaker also touched on the recent situation in Gaza.

"We will have on the floor, hopefully tomorrow, a resolution about what is happening on the Middle East middle east. I spoke with Prime Minister Olmert Saturday... and expressed to him concerns that we have over collateral damage that is happening in the Gaza Strip.

Pelosi went on to say that she still defends Israel's, and the right of any country, to defend itself.

White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President had his normal briefings this morning. At 10:25 am, he will receive the Annual Report to the Nation by the Boy Scouts of America. At 10:50 am, President Bush meets with the King of Jordan. At noon, President and Mrs. Bush will host a private social lunch with the King and Queen of Jordan in the Family Dining Room of the White House. At 1.15 pm, the President makes remarks to Political Appointees and Federal Government Employees in DAR- Constitution Hall in Washington, DC.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at noon today.


Middle East

Perino said that, “there is a lot of tension between the Israelis and the Palestinians, “and Secretary Rice is in region to bridge the gaps and bring them back together. One of the things Secretary Rice said, and the President agrees with is that, “Hamas has made themselves an enemy of the Palestinian state.” Perino said that the Palestinians could have a Palestinian state given the leader they have now--Hamas is what is holding them back. Secretary Rice will also be meeting with Prime Minister Olmert as they are also concerned about the situation.

When asked if it is really possible to negotiate peace with a divided Palestine, Perino said that they believe Hamas is a terrorist organization and Israel has the same feeling. She continued to say that, “President Abbas has said that he wants to be the Palestinian President for everybody, including the people living in Gaza, who are living under terrible conditions right now… The strategy is to try to allow the Palestinians to see that is a choice to make. There is a path that can get you to a Palestinian state and possible more security and prosperity… The purpose of Secretary Rice’s trip is to try to establish again this clear strategy and division between the choices there is to make for the Palestinians. “ A reporter questioned Perino when it comes to the Palestinians in Gaza, saying that she assumes that they actually have a choice or wish to make a choice, which that does not seem to be the case. Perino said that she thinks they do have a choice. She also said that the government that US is working with, lead by President Abbas, is the one that has chosen peace. Perino said the “issue is that it is extremely complicated, and we never said that this was going to be easy.” But we do believe that people have a choice, Perino continued, “and the President believes that when people have a choice they will chose freedom.”


OPEC

When asked about a response to OPEC’s decision to not increase production to ease prices, Perino said that she hasn’t heard anything about yet. She will wait until they make an official announcement. Perino did say that she oil producing countries should work to keep the markets well supplied.


Iran

Perino was asked about a comment on Iran who has rejected the sanctions resolution that was imposed by the United Nations. Perino said that they were not expecting anything else from the regime of Iran. We have provided several incentives for the Iranians if they would halt the enrichment of uranium and come to the negotiation table. Perino also said that she was pleased to see that the UN went forward with the 3rd rounds of sanctions. “A lot of people did not think that it was not going to be possible after our National Intelligence Estimate came out in December…”


Ahmadinejad in Iraq

When asked if the President talked to the Iraqi Prime Minister Malaki after the visit of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad, Perino said that they haven’t talked since. Though there have been reports by Ambassador Crocker and General Petreus.


Boy Scouts

When asked if the President has any concerns about discriminatory practices by the Boy Scouts against gays and atheists, Perino said that she had not asked about it, but “the President has always said that everybody should be treated with dignity and respect. “

Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Fahmy addresses Palestine Center on Gaza situation

The Palestine Center hosted Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Fahmy to speak on the recent events in Gaza.

Last month, Palestinians forced entry into Egypt to restock on food, medicine, and other supplies after Israel sealed off Gaza and halted fuel supplies causing a severe humanitarian crisis for the tiny strip of land's 1.5 million residents.

Fahmy called the Israeli siege on Gaza “morally untenable” and a “policy of complete failure.” He said that he supports “open, transparent, and secure” border channels between Egypt and Gaza and that Egypt will continue to push for a peace through a two-state solution. According to him, Hamas should not be excluded from peace negotiations and that pressure for Hamas to change its policy towards Israel must be driven by the Palestinians themselves.

He reiterated Egypt's support for Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas who currently only holds control of the West Bank, and said that the humanitarian conditions there are only marginally better than in Gaza despite Hamas' lack of authority in that region. He said that Israel is still expanding its settlements and constructing road barriers in the West Bank making a break down of of peace negotiations inevitable.