For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 12, 2003
Press Gaggle by Ari Fleischer
Aboard Air Force One
En route Omaha, Nebraska
2:04 P.M. CDT
MR. FLEISCHER: Okay, a couple things. Sorry I didn't get here
earlier. I've been trying to get some info for tomorrow, which is what
I'll go over with you.
First, when the President gets to Indiana tonight, he's going to do
a half hour meeting with a group of Indiana Republicans. Talk about
Indiana issues, I suspect. Mitch will not be there.
Tomorrow, after the speech in Indiana, the President will leave for
the Pierce City, Missouri area.
Q Where?
MR. FLEISCHER: Pierce City, P-i-e-r-c-e, Pierce City, Missouri,
where he will tour the tornado damage. Right now the plan is still
subject to change, but it looks like he'll take a helicopter tour. He
will get a briefing on the ground from disaster officials, federal and
local, and then he'll take a walking tour of what he has seen.
That's tomorrow. And then back to Washington. We'll now get into
Washington closer to about 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. tomorrow night. One
final item. While the President was waiting here, he worked out. He
also called Rafael Palmeiro to congratulate him on hitting his 500th
home run. He said to Raffy, "Your name is among the greats, and it
deserves to be." He did a little staff work. And that's that.
Q Ari, what's the -- how are you going to deal with the press
tomorrow?
MR. FLEISCHER: In Pierce --
Q Will it be pool only?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm still trying to figure it out. I'm still
trying to figure out a way to get the entire press corps there. The
problem we're running into is, the area we're touring is accessible
really by helicopter. And we're just trying to manage logistics. This
trip obviously was set up late. We started to look into doing it
either Friday night or Saturday morning. So it's now coming together.
The Springfield airport is about 75 miles away, so the possibility of
flying into Springfield and then bussing. I'm pushing for it. But
right now I'm not optimistic.
Q What would you do under those circumstances?
MR. FLEISCHER: The pool would then -- of course the pool would
depart with us back for Washington, can't swap out.
Q Then we all could stay in Indianapolis if that happens?
MR. FLEISCHER: I believe that's how it's being looked at right
now, that the rest of the press will stay in Indy. But anyway, don't
rush to any conclusions about it. Lucky Dog will -- Lucky Duck will
give you the updates as the day develops.
Q Ari, another subject. Did the Secretary of the Treasury
misspeak yesterday on the dollar?
MR. FLEISCHER: Tell me what he said.
Q Well, he cited the fact that exports were regaining because
of weaker dollar strength.
MR. FLEISCHER: The Secretary of the Treasury -- I saw a wire story
that said Undersecretary -- Secretary of Commerce said something along
those lines.
Q No, Snow, Snow on ABC yesterday.
MR. FLEISCHER: Okay. I didn't see all the remarks.
Q Did he misspeak?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, again, I haven't seen everything he said.
But no, the Secretary, I know that he would also say -- he knows the
position is the support for strong dollar. Obviously, exports depend
on a variety of factors, all of which are fairly obvious.
Q Still --
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think you have to tell me if he said
anything about support for a strong dollar.
Q He didn't -- strong dollar policy, and that's what we're
looking for. I mean, is there any change in dollar policy?
MR. FLEISCHER: There's no change in dollar policy. The position
of the government continues to support strong dollar.
Q Ari, why did the Iraq reconstruction team have to be shuffled
up?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think that, number one, General Garner is
there for another few weeks. Two, it was always anticipated, as was
said when Ambassador Bremer was named, that a senior official was going
to go in with an overarching view of all areas. For the next couple of
weeks General Garner will continue his efforts on the day to day
reconstruction. Zal continues to do his efforts on the day to day
political. And we're going to continue to react to the developments of
reconstruction.
But the President's sense is the events continue in a difficult
environment to progress. He expects that it's going to continue.
Q What about Barbara Bodine being recalled and Margaret
Tutwiler and the rest of the team?
MR. FLEISCHER: You need to talk to the State Department about
anything involving Ms. Bodine.
Q Didn't the White House shake this up? I mean, why refer it
to State? The White House was the one that -- I mean, you're
suggesting that this is all happening just as planned and this is not
responding to any unforeseen difficult circumstances?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think that -- yes, from the President's point of
view, he thinks that we have a good team on the ground. He never ruled
out changes to the team. And his focus is on the actual reconstruction
efforts and the efforts to improve security for people not only in
Baghdad, but throughout the country.
Q Ari, what did the President mean today in his speech? He
said the American people had been held hostage by Saddam's regime.
MR. FLEISCHER: What the President is referring to is allowing
somebody who had a clear militaristic history like Saddam Hussein to
use weapons of mass destruction and that he could take the American
public -- American positions hostage.
I think it's a follow through to something he talked about before,
where he said, in 1991 had Saddam Hussein had nuclear weapons, for
example, would it have changed our abilities to take action in the
Persian Gulf war if Saddam threatened to lob a nuclear missile at
Israel? That's something the President has previously talked about,
taking American policies hostage.
Q Was he talking -- or was he talking more about the economy,
how the economy has been soft because of concerns over a war that was
in part the result of Saddam Hussein?
MR. FLEISCHER: What was the exact context in which the President
said it
Q On the hostage?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes.
Q I think he said, this was a regime that threatened --
Q Held America hostage.
Q Threatened the world, or something, and held Americans
hostage
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, I think his reference is just as I said,
because I've heard him talk, and I think you've heard him before
publicly, where the President has actually drawn that analogy about if
he had nuclear weapons and he could attack Israel.
Q We're not going to be held hostage by rouge regimes, et
cetera.
Q The President simplified, but it sounds like he thinks we're
in the recession now. Is that the case, or was it just the rhetoric of
the moment? He said, the best way to fight recession is more jobs. He
didn't say that we're out of a recession.
MR. FLEISCHER: When I heard him go through the chronology, he
talked about how the market peaked in March 2000, January of 2001 we
went into recession. Then we emerged, and the enemy attacked us. So,
no, we're in a period of growth right now, but it's a period of low
growth. It's been spikes in the growth. There have been quarters that
had rather robust growth, but they were followed by quarters that had
low growth.
And that's the problem with the economy. We continue to see ups
and downs at a time when the President would like to see more ups. And
that's why he wants to put in a stimulus into the economy, because he
thinks it will help create a more stable environment -- an increasingly
upward direction to GDP.
Q Ben Nelson, Senator Nelson is going to be asking the
President to support at least $20 billion in aid to states. That's in
the Senate bill. He's shown some flexibility on how much tax cuts he
would support. Is the President at this point willing to support the
$20 billion that's in the Senate bill?
MR. FLEISCHER: Senator Nelson has said some very interesting
things about the tax plan, including the willingness to support more
tax relief on the dividend side, and that's noted. Senator Nelson may
be one of those Democrats who is willing to think differently on taxes
and represent the people of his state, and not special interests or
liberal interests in Washington, D.C. We'll see.
There are a series of pieces in the tax bill that continue to be
talked about. Now, state aid is not something the President proposed.
But we will work with the Congress as the process moves forward on that
provision.
Q Is that something you're considering? In the past, you
stated that it wouldn't make sense to transfer money from one entity --
government entity to another government entity.
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, that's what I said, it is not in the
President's original package. But we'll work with Congress.
Q Does that mean you're open to it?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm just going to leave it the way I said it.
Q He said he wants a new nickname. He doesn't like "Nelly," he
wants something more macho. Is that a possibility?
MR. FLEISCHER: What was the suggestion?
Q He wants a new nickname. He says his nickname now is
"Nelly," or something like that. He wants something more macho.
MR. FLEISCHER: Do you have a suggestion for what it may be?
Q Do I have a suggestion? No, I don't think I should.
(Laughter.)
MR. FLEISCHER: -- to take suggestions. I'll get back to you after
the vote.
Q Ari, is there any administration decision yet on filing a
complaint with the WTO on genetically modified products against the
European Union?
MR. FLEISCHER: Europe has blocked approval of safe biotech food
for five years. We believe this is a violation of both WTO rules and
the EU's own laws. We have made it ultimately clear that by blocking
imports on an unscientific basis, the EU is interfering with the use of
safe food products that could help stem world hunger, improve nutrition
and benefit the environment.
The U.S. made its position clear. Administration, leaders of
Congress, our agricultural community believe the EU should lift its
moratorium on biotech products. Our goal is to resolve this issue, and
we are working with others to determine the most expeditious way to do
so.
Q And so?
MR. FLEISCHER: And we will not comment on rumors or speculation
regarding any further course of action.
Q Is that you speaking?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, that's me speaking, with the help of a
Blackberry that sent me those words just minutes before I came back
here. (Laughter.)
Q The operative, we will not comment, because the rest of that
has been said before.
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct. We're still looking at options.
Q Are we close to a decision? I mean, this has been hanging
fire for, as you know, months.
MR. FLEISCHER: I'd have to get a better update.
Q Has the President been briefed on this surrender of a woman
known as --
MR. FLEISCHER: Dr. Germ?
Q Yes.
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes.
Q What does he think about it?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think the President is pleased with the
numerous arrests and people who have been turned in or turned
themselves in since major combat ended. It's another sign of what are
still are difficult moments in Iraq on the security front. There are
also good moments in Iraq, and these clearly represent good moments.
It portends for a better future for the Iraqi people as the old
vestiges of power are swept off the streets, swept up from hiding.
We'll see, obviously, if she says anything. The pattern has been for
the people that talk to continue to lie.
Q Has he concluded that the United States won't necessarily
find any weapons of mass destruction or weapons materials, rather the
coalition is much more likely to learn about the history of a program
that existed?
MR. FLEISCHER: One, we continue to be confident we will find
weapons of mass destruction. Nothing has changed, and you shouldn't
expect it to change. The President has said that much of that
information will come from middle level people, other people. At the
top, they would have a hard time explaining how they lied about it or
they were involved in it if all of a sudden they start talking about
it. So that's not a big surprise.
But clearly now there is new indications of a second bio -- mobile
bio truck, a second bio truck. It will be examined, just as the first
one was, and we will be diligent and thorough -- that's why I called it
indications. That will be conclusively tested. But I think, slowly
but surely, people are seeing telltale signs that back up the
confidence that the administration has for why we maintained Iraq had
weapons of mass destruction and that underscore our ultimate confidence
that they're eventually being found.
Q Are there any votes that you hope to sway in Indiana? It
seems like you got Senator Lugar -- and Senator Bayh, it seems like
there's no way you can get him. Is there a political reason for the
trip?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, we'll see. I mean, there are -- you know,
the Democratic Party and the Senate particularly can be broken down to
three groups. There's the leadership, which is very liberal and will
oppose the President. There are the candidates who, of course, will
never support the President. And then there's a small group of
potential swing voters. They are very small. And it only takes one or
two of them to make the difference.
Q Do you see Bayh, Senator Bayh as one of these potential swing
voters?
MR. FLEISCHER: I would never go by state-by-state or name-by-name
and give indications like that. He'll speak for himself, he'll vote
for himself.
Q Does he consider Nelson and Bayh potential swing voters? I
mean, does he consider -- you already said that he considers Nelson as
somebody who might think differently on taxes. Is Bayh in that
category?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I noted the things that Senator Nelson has
said publicly in the last day or two about the tax bill, so he has said
something. I have not made as careful of a study of what Senator Bayh
has said.
Q What did he say that leads you to that?
MR. FLEISCHER: Senator Bayh stated --
Q No, no, Nelson.
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm sorry, thank you for the correction. Senator
Nelson stated in Nebraska press after the vote in the Senate Finance
Committee to put a cap on the amount of money you could deduct for a
dividend, Senator Nelson's statement was that revision was too weak.
Which that goes with what the President thinks. The President said it
was insufficient.
And, of course, we're going to Indiana because just six months and
three days ago, at this very site, the Westin Hotel, an important
marriage ceremony took place. And so when the President talks about
marriage penalty relief, he wants to go back to the site where marriage
penalty relief now is deserved and earned. (Laughter.)
Q This meeting with the Indiana Republicans --
MR. FLEISCHER: And that's on the basis of tax policy, not marriage
penalty on any other grounds. Just to make clear --
Q The meeting with Indiana Republicans, you said that was
tonight? Is that with, like, county GOPs or state central folks or
what?
MR. FLEISCHER: State chairman set it up, guests of the state
chairman.
Q Open?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, closed meeting.
Q About what time --
Q Is it at the hotel?
MR. FLEISCHER: At the hotel.
Q How large a group?
MR. FLEISCHER: It's about 20, 25 people. I think 25 people.
Q Is there a reason why Mitch Daniels is not going to be there
tonight?
MR. FLEISCHER: Mitch is a federal worker, and Mitch is working
federally.
Q Can't be given --
Q Will he be there on Tuesday morning?
MR. FLEISCHER: Pardon me?
Q Will he be at the speech on Tuesday morning?
MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, he'll be at the speech Tuesday morning.
Q That was actually what I was asking --
MR. FLEISCHER: He will be at the speech Tuesday morning, yes.
Q What's the President's assessment of how the talks in the
Middle East went this weekend?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President is pleased that the efforts on
the road map are now beginning. And he wants both parties to focus on
what they should do. He wants the Israelis to focus on what steps they
need to take, and he wants the Palestinians to focus on what steps the
Palestinians need to take. That's the way to have success.
And the President will look forward to a report from Secretary
Powell once Secretary Powell returns. He has been keeping up on the
trip, he's been getting briefed. And, of course, the President will
have his own meeting with Prime Minister Sharon later this month.
So what's important here now is the process is beginning in
earnest. It is an historically different process, a process that's
marred by ups and downs, by progress and failures. Now the process is
beginning in earnest, and that's good.
Q When is he going to invite the new Palestinian Prime Minister
to Washington?
MR. FLEISCHER: We'll keep you posted.
Q I'm sorry, you said -- has he talked to Powell?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'd have to ask.
Q But he's going to meet with him later in the week?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, certainly, when the Secretary returns he'll
meet with him.
Q That's not until late this week, though, isn't it?
MR. FLEISCHER: I have the Secretary's itinerary up there, I just
don't remember it off the top of my head.
Nothing else? Okay, thanks, everybody.
END 2:21 P.M. CDT
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