Home > News & Policies > March 2001

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 15, 2001

Remarks by the President and the First Lady in Photo Opportunity
The South Lawn

2:22 P.M. EST

     THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, look who's here.

     MRS. BUSH:  Hi, everybody.

     THE PRESIDENT:  Barney's back.  (Laughter.)

     MRS. BUSH:  Barney had a really good trip.

     THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, Spot, look who's here.

     Q    Mrs. Bush, where are you coming from?

     MRS. BUSH:  I'm coming from Texas.  I've been at the ranch.      Q    What do you expect out of your meeting with the Irish leaders?

     THE PRESIDENT:  Pardon me?

     Q    What do you expect out of your meeting with the Irish PM -- Prime Minister?

     THE PRESIDENT:  I had a good meeting -- and I'll have one tomorrow, as well.  Looking forward to it.  We'll be discussing the Good Friday Agreement, what I can do to help.  Be reaffirming our trade with Ireland. We had a good visit with him at lunch.  I'm looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.

     Q    Mr. President, are you prepared to send your suggestions on campaign finance legislation to the Hill, and --

     THE PRESIDENT:  Pretty soon.

     Q    -- what would you like to see in it?

     THE PRESIDENT:  Well, wait until I send them up there, but we'll be sending some principles up here pretty soon.

     Q    Not today?

     THE PRESIDENT:  Maybe today.

     Q    Mr. President, to follow up, I mean, do you still support limited soft money contributions?

     THE PRESIDENT:  I think we ought to get rid of labor union and corporate soft money.  And I know we need to make sure we have -- to make sure that shareholders and labor union members have got a say-so on how their money is spent.

     MR. JOHNDROE:  Thank you all very much.

     THE PRESIDENT:  Just getting warmed up.  (Laughter.)

     Q    Thank you, Barney.

     THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.

                           END          2:25 P.M. EST