For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 12, 2002
Press Gaggle by Scott Mcclellan
Crawford Elementary School
Crawford, Texas
12:45 P.M. CDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good morning, Crawford gagglers. Let me start by
giving a quick read-out of what I know about the President's day so
far. Then I'm going to talk a little bit about tomorrow's forum. I
have a few announcements and then you all can fire away.
The President went on a three-mile run this morning. Then he had
his usual briefings, followed by his regularly scheduled NSC meeting.
Then he held a staff meeting with some of the senior staff that is out
here, where primarily they talked about various domestic issues, as
well as he reviewed and discussed information for tomorrow's economic
forum.
As the President said in his radio address on Saturday, the
President -- he looks forward to participating in tomorrow's
discussions and meeting with people on the front lines of the American
economy; people from -- working Americans from communities all across
the country.
The President talked about in his radio address, when he was
talking about the economic forum, he talked about the steps we have
taken to help get our economy growing, from tax cuts to trade promotion
authority to corporate accounting reform. And he also talked about how
there's more that we must do, from passing terrorism insurance to
protecting workers' pensions to passing legislation that will make us
more energy independent, among other things.
But the recent economic indicators are encouraging, and we are on a
path to sustained economic growth. And when I talk about the recent
economic indicators, I'm talking about what we're seeing now, which is
strong productivity growth, rising real wages, low and stable
inflation, low interest rates, lower taxes. But, again, the President
is not going to be satisfied, as we have said, until every American
that wants a job can find a job.
So the President looks forward tomorrow so he can discuss economic
growth directly with the workers and small investors who are the
backbone of our economy. The White House has worked with the Cabinet
to invite more than 240 working Americans with front line experience,
expertise and diverse points of view from at least 40 states. This
includes, as we've pointed out, labor officials, workers, farmers,
small investors, academics and others who bring experience and diverse
points of views with them to the forum.
And we've also talked about how the President believes the best
solutions are found outside of Washington, and that's why he wants to
hear directly from working Americans and small investors, who are the
backbone of our economy. The forum will include at least 14 hours of
detailed policy discussions.
Now, let me make a few announcements about tomorrow, then I'll be
glad to take your questions.
For the President's travel pool, everybody needs to gather at 7:00
a.m., at the Student Life Center at Baylor University. Gather by the
podium in the filing center; Leslie Beyer will be there. The Vice
President's travel pool will gather at 7:30 a.m. at the Waco Hilton
lobby. They will be meeting Adrienne Cisneros there. The press filing
center is located in the Student Life Center at Baylor University.
Parking is available outside the center and it is now open and will
open tomorrow at 6:00 a.m., and will remain open until 11:00 p.m.
tomorrow night.
You will need separate credentials for access to the filing
center. You can pick up the credentials at the Student Life Center
today between 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Show them you're White House
press to redeem your credential. If you do not have a White House
press pass, any other press identification and photo should suffice;
but we strongly recommend that you pick up your credential today
instead of waiting until tomorrow morning.
A schedule for tomorrow: at 9:00 a.m. the forum discussion panels
will begin at Baylor Law School. This includes the eight forums,
break-out policy discussions that we outlined the other day: small
investors and retirement security; economic recovery and job creation;
corporate responsibility; health care security; small business and
smarter regulation; education and workers; trade; technology and
innovation.
The forum discussion panels end around 10:30 a.m.m, then the
plenary session at Baylor University Jones Concert Hall will begin at
11:00 a.m. That is open press. At 12:30 p.m. there is a participants
luncheon, which is closed press. Then we have some briefings in the
afternoon. At 2:00 p.m., OMB Director Mitch Daniels will brief the
media at the press filing center. At 2:30 p.m., Treasury Secretary
Paul O'Neill and Commerce Secretary Don Evans will brief the media at
the press filing center. And then at 3:30 p.m., Agriculture Secretary
Ann Veneman and USTR Ambassador Robert Zoellick will brief the media at
the filing center, as well.
Later today, we will release a final media guide -- we released the
preliminary guide on Friday, I believe -- and this will include the
full list of participants. The economic -- our economic forum will be
accepting requests for individual one-on-one interviews with members of
the Cabinet and other participants attending the forum. And to request
an interview, you should contact the White House Media Affairs in Waco,
at 254-710-7550, and we will do our best to accommodate you there.
One other announcement, then I'm glad to take some questions. The
President will welcome Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas to
Washington on September 4, 2002. The visit provides an opportunity for
the President to recognize the great progress that Estonia has made
over the last decade in implementing a free market democratic
transformation. The United States appreciates Estonia's support in the
war on terrorism.
And with that, I'm happy to take some questions.
Q Scott, is there one overarching message for the forum
tomorrow?
Q You might repeat the questions, because I'm sure a lot of
people won't hear them.
MR. McCLELLAN: Say it louder, I don't want to repeat every single
question.
Q Is there one overarching message tomorrow?
MR. McCLELLAN: Overarching message tomorrow. Well, again, I think
what you're going to see is that -- and go back to the President's
radio address and, in fact, I refer you back to that, where the
President talked about is there are several steps we have taken to get
our economy growing and to strengthen our economy; but there's more
that we need to do.
And I went through some of those issues a minute ago; the President
went through them in his radio address, as well. In addition, this is
an opportunity, as the President said in his radio address, to generate
ideas to strengthen our economy and make workers and investors more
secure. And that he looks forward to participating in discussions and
sharing our findings with the American people.
So we want to hear from those people that are on the front line of
the American economy across the country. And I think you'll see, when
we put out the list later today, that this does represent a diversity
of views and it represents working Americans from all across the
country.
Q He's going to be in about four sessions for 20 minutes
each. Does he feel as though he'll have enough time to --
Q Louder.
Q He'll be in about four sessions for 20 minutes each.
Does he feel that he'll have enough time to really hear new ideas,
debate, maybe even have some arguments?
MR. McCLELLAN: Absolutely. But keep in mind that there are also
Cabinet members and the others that are chairing the panels will also
be able to report back to the President on further discussions that
they had at the economic forum. But this is a chance where the
President -- and the Vice President, as well -- the Vice President will
be able to update the President on his sessions, as well.
Q How did you compile the list of participants, and why are
there -- how many Democrats are coming?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, as I said, you know, we worked with the
Cabinet members, or Cabinet offices and what we wanted to do was get a
representative sampling of people from across the country, in
communities all across America that represent those people who are on
the front lines of our economy: workers, farmers, truck drivers,
teachers and -- we looked for personal experience, expertise. I don't
know that I could tell you party affiliation, because it wasn't a
factor.
Q Do you know how many Democrats --
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you'll have the list later today and you'll
be able to look through it. I mean, I think there's been some
information reported by some of your colleagues and some information
put out by other organizations, as well. And that's why I said I think
you're going to see that it reflects a diversity of views. But that
was not a consideration in selecting the participants.
Q Scott, would it be fair to say that basically the
President and his economic team have no real ideas on what next to do,
and therefore they're trying to get other ideas?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, absolutely not. In fact, one of the most
important things we can do is what the President has been focusing on
and what he said in his radio address, is that Congress needs to pass
terrorism insurance. It's hurting our construction sector and costing
jobs. That is an important step that Congress can take immediately to
continue making sure that we're moving on the path of economic growth.
And protecting workers' pensions -- the President has outlined specific
steps we can take to better protect workers' pensions, and make sure
that their retirement savings are secure.
So there are a number of steps -- the energy legislation as well,
promoting energy independence, making the tax cuts permanent. So we've
outlined a number of steps. But this is -- the President often travels
around the country to talk directly with the American people, families
and workers and others. And this is an opportunity to bring those
people together to talk about our current economic situation, as well
as how we go forward from here. And he wants to hear their ideas as
well.
So I'm sure it will generate some ideas from these people, and the
President looks forward to hearing those ideas.
Q So it's not a public relations ploy at all?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, in fact I think I just laid out that it's
really a serious policy discussion. We're going to have 14 hours -- at
least 14 hours of detailed policy discussions. We're going to have
eight policy breakout sessions that will delve into the policy details
of each of those different areas that are critical to economic growth.
That's really the best way to break people into groups, smaller groups
and listen to their ideas and get a sense of where they feel things are
and where we need to go.
Q How did the President decide which of the panel forums he
-- the breakout sessions he would attend and which he would not?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know if there's a specific -- I think they
wanted to make sure that the President and Vice President both covered
all the different forums. I'll see if there's any more to it than
that, but I'm not sure that there is.
Q So one of the two of them will be in every single
session?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's right.
Q They won't do any jointly, nothing jointly?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q They're not going to attend any jointly?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that you've got the plenary session
and then the luncheon. But other than that, they'll be covering the
different breakout sessions.
Jeff.
Q Scott, who is paying for all the travel of these
individuals? Presumably, the CEOs and what not will be flying in on
their own, but who is paying for the travel of these average working
Americans?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think -- actually, let me double check that. I
think that I've heard reports that some -- we tried to cover the cost
for some, but others paid their own way. Let me try to find out more
information on that. I'll be around all day.
Q Is there an example -- or an estimate of overall price
for this whole forum?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have it. I'll look into it, but I don't
have it.
George.
Q -- announcement today that Iraq is not going to accept
weapons inspectors. A lot of European countries and the U.N. and Arab
countries have said that they wanted the U.S. not to take any action
because Iraq might be willing. Now that they are not willing, does the
White House, does the President believe that the United States has the
green light now to go ahead with military plans? Do you feel
vindicated over the Iraq cynicism on this issue?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I saw the --
Q What's the question?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's regarding Iraq, the Information Minister's
comments about inspectors coming into the country. Our position and
the position of the international community is very clear. You heard
the President's latest remarks on Saturday. There is nothing to really
update you on beyond that. I mean, you're asking me to speculate,
again, on some hypotheticals. The President, as he said, hasn't set a
timetable. He hasn't made any decisions. But, again, our position is
very clear. The position of the international community is very
clear. The regime in Baghdad needs to abide by the agreements it
made.
Q Do you feel vindicated by Iraq's cynicism on this issue?
MR. McCLELLAN: In what -- vindicated? By the Information
Minister's comments?
Q By their cynicism -- on again, off again, and not
willing.
MR. McCLELLAN: The President addressed this on Saturday. I mean,
any person that is trying to -- like Saddam, who is trying to acquire
weapons of mass destruction, is a dangerous person. And the President
said he would be deliberate and be patient, and that we would consult
with our friends. We have been consulting with Congress and consulting
with our friends and allies, and we'll continue to do so.
But our views are very clear in terms of what the regime in Baghdad
needs to do immediately. There's no discussion to be had on that.
Steve.
Q Another Iraq question. Iraq's state controlled newspaper
says that the President's campaign to seek a regime change is in
trouble after a rise in domestic and international opposition to any
U.S. attack. Is that --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you, Steve.
Q Iraq's newspaper says that the campaign to seek a regime
change is in trouble after a rise in domestic and international
opposition. Do you see the campaign as in trouble -- to seek a regime
change in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's our longstanding policy, is one of regime
change. You know, there were some meetings on -- over the Friday and
Saturday, part of our ongoing efforts to support groups that are in
opposition to the regime in Baghdad.
Larry.
Q Does the President intend to name a mediator in the
baseball labor situation -- call in players or management, or take any
other steps?
MR. McCLELLAN: We have not been involved in those discussions.
But let me just say that it would be very unfortunate and terrible for
baseball fans everywhere if the parties are unable to resolve their
differences. And the people who would be hurt are America's baseball
fans. And that would be a terrible thing to have happen.
Knoller.
Q Scott, the President in nearly every speech says that the
fundamentals of the economy are sound. Does he feel that that message
has not gotten through, and that's why he needs to hold an economic
forum like this?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, remember what I just went through. One, the
President -- making sure that our economy is growing and continuing to
-- always taking steps to strengthen our economy is always a top
priority for the President. It's one of the three big goals that he
has laid out, from winning the war on terrorism to protecting the
homeland to strengthening our economy.
And so he's -- the President focuses on our economy every day. And
he's going to remain concerned as long as there is one person who wants
a job that cannot find a job. But we will continue to reiterate that
part -- and that's what I talked about at the beginning here, is that
what we are seeing is that the economic indicators are strong, from
strong productivity growth -- you had the Labor Department put out
figures on Friday which showed strong, 4.7 percent productivity rate
over the past year -- to rising wages, to low and stable inflation and
low interest rates and lower taxes.
Q What about stagnant wages?
MR. McCLELLAN: We are on a path to sustained economic growth, but
there is more that we must do, as the President said in his radio
address.
Q What about stagnant wages? You mentioned --
Q Scott, Morgan Stanley today just readjusted their growth
projection for the rest of this year and all of next year -- both for
the United States and the world. They've just downgraded them pretty
considerably -- I don't remember the numbers exactly. But, I mean, if
all of these things that you're ticking off are contributing a strong
economy, why is Morgan Stanley reaching that conclusion?
MR. McCLELLAN: I can't speak for Morgan Stanley. You'd have to
talk to them about why -- I haven't seen those numbers, but --
Q Earlier you said -- outside of Washington, many of the
people who know what they're doing -- I mean, the growth projections
are slipping on Wall Street --
MR. McCLELLAN: The President believes the real solutions are found
outside of Washington. That's what I said earlier. And that's why
we're visiting with these working Americans from all across the
country. But, again, the President talked about this in his radio
address as well. When he came into office, we were beginning a
recession. September 11th came, and the attacks of September 11th hurt
our economy.
But what we've seen over the last year -- the first couple of
quarters -- we've seen our economy growing. And that's why we need to
take -- he believes that we need to take additional steps, because
there are still Americans out there who want a job and cannot find
one. So he remains concerned about our economy, but believes it is
heading in the right direction.
Thank you, all.
END 1:03 P.M. CDT
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