White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush has his normal briefings this morning at 8 am.
At 9.45 am, the President makes remarks to the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. At 11.10 am, the President will participate in an interview with April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks. This afternoon at 1:45 pm, he will meet with former Cabinet Secretaries and Senior Government Officials on Free Trade Agreements. At 2 pm, the President will make remarks on “Picturing America” Initiative in the East Room of the White House.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.45 pm today.

Iran

When asked about updates and new incentives to get Iran to negotiate, Perino said that the meeting yesterday was to talk about the next round of sanctions. Perino referred to the State Department for more information.

FISA

Helen Thomas asked why the tele-companies need retro-immunity if they haven’t done anything wrong, and Perino replied that, “if they have not done anything wrong, why are trial lawyers bringing 40 different class-action lawsuits against them? “ Thomas wanted to know why they can’t go to court if they know that they did so many right things. Perino said that any time anyone is sued it is extremely expensive. “They did not break the law,” she added. Perino was also asked why the President did not talk about lost intelligence as mentioned by the Director of National Intelligence McConnell. “What is different now is that back in August, when we signed the six-month extension of the Protect America Act, it did not include retro-active liability protection which is something they said that we needed to have in this bill. The Senate agrees and the majority of the House members agree, and if the House Democratic leaders would allow for a vote this bill would pass, Perino said.

Governors’ idea of another stimulus package

Perino was asked why the President closed the door on the idea of an additional stimulus package, a proposal raised by the Governors yesterday. This was a package to support infrastructure as a way to help revive the economy. Perino replied that the President does not believe that those projects will have the short-term stimulus effects that the country needs. He will listen to all their ideas, though he will not support anything that will raise taxes.

NY Philharmonic North Korea concert

When asked if the President watched or listened to the New York Philharmonic’s concert from N. Korea yesterday, Perino said that she doubts it. When asked if she thinks it was a good idea that they went to North Korea, Perino replied that the President thinks that at the end of the day this is a concern and that it is not going to change the behavior of their regime. They are still not as forthcoming as we need them to be. “They need to move faster of denuclearization, we need a full and accurate report from them, and we need a report on all their proliferation activities. From there it is possible that additional culture exchanges, like Philharmonics, will be available. But you can’t help to think about all the people in North Korea who are not going to be able to hear it. For those who were lucky enough to hear it, I am sure that it was a memorable, and I am sure the philharmonics played a lovely concert. “

White House Gaggle February 25, 2008

White House Gaggle
Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule
At 8, the president had his normal briefings, then at 10:30 he will have a briefing by the Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives. At 11:00 he meets with the National Governors Association. Tonight at 7:00 the President will make remarks to 2008 Republican Governors Association Gala at the National Building Museum.

This morning the White House will release a statement responding to the Washington Post Op-Ed by Congressional Democrats on FISA.

Perino also announced that King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan will visit the White House on March 4, 2008.

Governors
Responding to a question about governors possible infrastructure improvements as part of a second stimulus package, Perino said that the President will meet with the governors and hear their views. Infrastructure improvements were not sought as part of the first stimulus package because they take time to have an effect.

Turkish border
On the Turkish forces going into northern Iraq, Perino said that it was not an ideal situation, but that the "PKK is a common enemy of Turkey and the United States." She said that the White House hopes this is just a short-term incursion and is in contact with Turkey.

Kosovo
Responding to a question about Serbian parts of Kosovo wanting to remain part of Serbia, Perino said that there are people with mixed emotions, and the White House has encouraged Kosovars to ensure minority rights are protected.

Cuba
Perino said she was not aware of any discussions about possibly lifting the embargo against Cuba.

Supreme Court gun control case
Vice President Cheney has signed on to amicus brief filed by a party other than the Department of Justice. Perino said, "It’s no problem."