For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 9, 2004
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Scott Mcclellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Springfield, Missouri
11:31 A.M. CST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good morning. The President had his usual briefings
this morning. Upon arrival in Springfield, the Freedom Corps greeter is
Travis Morrison, who has been an active volunteer with a number of
different organizations, including the United Way March of Dimes and,
more recently, Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Services. He began
doing that in May 2003, when some tornadoes hit the area around Pierce
City, Missouri.
Following that, the President looks forward to participating in a
conversation on the economy at SRC Automotive. SRC Automotive is a
small business that employs 120 people and remanufactures engines for
General Motors, Mercury Marine and others. And they have stated they
plan to hire an additional 10 to 15 employees this year.
Q How many?
MR. McCLELLAN: Ten to 15 new employees this year, they said they
expect to. I expect the President will talk about how the economy is
strong and growing stronger, that the tax relief that we passed is
working; it is helping families and small businesses improve their
economic security. And I think that will kind of be the focus of his
remarks in the conversation. And there will be some employees, as well
as small business owners, up on the stage with him.
And then we return back to the White House this evening, or this
afternoon. He meets with Leader Frist and Speaker Hastert later this
evening in the residence, just to talk about some legislative
priorities.
Q Legislative priorities?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.
Q Anything in particular?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know that we'll read anything out, but we'll
try to keep you posted if there is.
Q A readout afterward?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll see what we can do. But he meets regularly with
these two.
Q In the Oval or the residence?
MR. McCLELLAN: Residence. I think 5:00 p.m. -- around 5:00 p.m. And
that's it. See you all later.
Q Did you talk to -- I think the FBI about the CIA leaks?
MR. McCLELLAN: Did I talk -- me, personally? Well, let's just say
I'm doing my part to cooperate.
Q What was the question?
MR. McCLELLAN: She asked if I was interviewed by the FBI last week,
and I said, I'm doing my part to cooperate, as the President directed
all of us to do.
Q You can't go into that any further?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if you have further questions, you really
ought to direct those to the Department of Justice.
Q Can you say for the record, "yes," or "no"?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I was filmed by several news organizations
coming out of the courthouse. I think that confirms it for you.
Q What do you know about this memo from the al Qaeda leader that
was intercepted and it suggests they're trying to stir up a civil war
in Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've said previously that Iraq is the central front
in the war on terrorism. There are foreign terrorists who realize the
stakes are high. And they seek to do everything to undermine --
everything they can to undermine the aspirations of the Iraqi people.
But democracy and freedom are taking root in Iraq, and there is no
turning back. There are foreign terrorist organizations that are --
there are foreign terrorists who seek to undermine the Iraqi people's
aspirations. And they cannot, nor can they break the resolve of the
coalition forces in Iraq.
But we will -- we are continuing to take the fight to those
terrorist elements who are in Iraq and we will bring them to justice.
Q Scott, Al Gore had some unusually bitter remarks about the
President over the weekend. He said he -- the President -- betrayed
this country, he played on our fears, he took America on an
ill-conceived foreign adventure, dangerous to our troops, preordained
and planned before 9/11. What do you make of -- it seems remarkably
sharp criticism and I think the source is notable, too. What do you
make of it?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think there are some who are backward-looking,
still wanting to replay the 2000 election. The President is
forward-looking, focusing on acting to meet the big challenges that we
face.
Q I've got to ask you, too, about military records. The President
committed yesterday to releasing additional records. Is there any
effort by the White House, the RNC, the campaign to come up with new
records, new notes --
MR. McCLELLAN: This issue, as the President pointed out, goes back
to his first campaign for governor, it goes back to the 2000 campaign.
You know, we made everything we had available during the 2000 campaign.
I think that one of the things you can look at that will help address
these questions is the annual retirement point summaries. And we
previously made those available during the 2000 campaign. They show
that the President fulfilled his duties, and that is why he was
honorably discharged.
Q Every point summary is available -- payroll stubs --
Q Russert asked a more specific question, tax returns and payroll
stubs, and the President's answer to that was, yeah.
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think -- I think the President, like most
Americans, does not have his tax returns from 33 years ago. In terms of
pay stubs, during the 2000 campaign we checked with the Texas National
Guard and they informed us that they did not have them. Obviously, if
there's anything additional, we'll keep you posted.
Q You checked during the 2000 campaign, or you checked in recent
days?
MR. McCLELLAN: We checked during the 2000 campaign, yes.
Q It's your interpretation, though, that everything that could be
released has been released?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, everything we had we made available. And like
I said, if there's more, we'll do our best to keep you updated on
that.
Q But you're not looking for anything else at this point?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, if there's more that comes to our attention,
we'll make sure we make that available.
Q Scott, just to confirm one thing about your participation in the
leak investigation, you acknowledge you were at the courthouse. The
question, I think, was originally about whether you were interviewed by
the FBI. Our understanding is that you testified before the grand jury.
Can you confirm that to us?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that -- that's why -- like I said, the
cameras filmed me coming out, and, yes, I did. Like I said, I'm just
doing my part to cooperate fully with the investigation. The President
has made it clear that no one wants to get to the bottom of it more
than he does. Leaking classified information is a serious matter and I
want to do my part to help the investigation move forward.
Q Can you also tell me, if you could, the latest on the President's
thinking on a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriages?
There had been a lot of speculation that perhaps he would have
something to say about that during the Russert interview. A lot of
opponents of gay marriage say they've been assured at the highest
levels of the White House that the President is going to come out
supporting a ban. When is that going to happen?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, a couple of things. One, the President
believes that marriage is a sacred institution and that we should do
everything we can to protect and defend the sanctity of marriage. If
activist judges continue to try to redefine marriage without regard for
the voice of the people, then the only alternative would be the
constitutional process. And the President has made it clear that, if
necessary, he will do what is legally needed to protect the sanctity of
marriage.
Obviously, the recent Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling was deeply
troubling and we've been reviewing that decision.
Q But did that cross the threshold by which activist judges can no
longer be tolerated, and now the President feels he has to come out for
a ban?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, certainly, we're looking at that whole issue.
We continue to look at this issue. The President issued a statement
when that ruling came out, and I think it made it very clear in there
again what he has said, that he is committed to doing what is needed to
protect the sanctity of marriage. And so, if necessary, we would look
at -- well, the only alternative would be the constitutional process,
and, if necessary, the President would support those efforts.
Q How long are you going to look at it? When are you going to
decide?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know that I can put any arbitrary time line
on it. It's something we continue to look at closely. The President
believes that the recent ruling was deeply troubling. He believes it's
important for the voice of the people to be heard in this debate.
Q Scott, not to put too fine a point on it, but it's not just
leading opponents of gay marriage who have said they've been told by
the White House that the President does support a ban and will soon
announce such support, but also you had members of Congress who were at
the Republican retreat who said the President also said that there.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, no, what he said there was, if necessary, he was
prepared to support legislation that would lead to a constitutional
amendment. And he specifically referred to Congresswoman Musgrave's
legislation as something that reflects the principles that he is
committed to when it comes to defending the institution of marriage.
Q Can you rule out this week -- can you rule out an announcement
this week?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't rule things in or out. I'm saying that we
continue to look closely at the issue, and that, if necessary, the
President is ready to do what is legally necessary to defend the
institution of marriage.
Q Scott, we haven't heard about Saddam Hussein lately. Can you tell
us where he is, whether he's given up any information?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, you need to direct those questions to the people
in the theater.
Q One other thing. We've had three trips in a row where the
President pulled his motorcade over to mingle, in a restaurant or a
chocolate factory. Is this part of some larger effort to get him out
there, mix in with regular people?
MR. McCLELLAN: Are you hungry? (Laughter.)
Q We never get any food at these things, I might add.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, this is -- the President believes it's important
to get outside Washington, D.C. and talk about the big challenges that
we face and that we're working to meet. And he also believes it's
important to get outside of Washington, D.C. and visit with people
across the country. And it's a good opportunity for him to visit with
people from around the country.
Q Why have you abruptly added this component to his trips? In three
years, I can recall one pull-over. Now we've had it three trips in a
row. What's the strategic decision behind this?
MR. McCLELLAN: He stops in Crawford, he stops at the Coffee
Station. I mean, it's a good opportunity just to visit with Americans
and to get some good food.
Q Scott, along these lines, how did the event site today get
chosen? (**see addendum)
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there --
Q I mean, was the invitation from them, or did the President ask to
come to this company?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'd have to double-check the exact specifics on it.
There are a lot of different ways we look at event sites.
Q The reason I ask is the founder and CEO and his family had given
-- gave about $10,000 to Dick Gephardt in September. Of course, Dick
Gephardt has endorsed what's looking like will be the President's
rival. I mean, how did this come to be?
MR. McCLELLAN: How did it come to be? Well, the President is
talking about what we're doing to strengthen our economy even more. And
this is a small business that is benefiting directly from the actions
we have taken in Washington, D.C. to create a more robust environment
for small business owners to flourish. And so this is a company that
has, like I said, 120 different employees. It's a good opportunity to
visit with small business owners, as well as employees about how --
about the direction the economy is going and the actions we have
taken.
Q Was there any sort of a relationship between the President and
Mr. Stack before this trip?
MR. McCLELLAN: I can double-check --
Q Could you find out for us?
MR. McCLELLAN: I can double-check those details. We'll be glad to
get you those details.
Q Did you know that he was such a big backer of Democrats?
MR. McCLELLAN: Me? No.
Q He's going to hire 10 to 15 this year, employees, or he did hire
--
MR. McCLELLAN: They expect to. He said they expect to.
Q One more question on Massachusetts. As this is under review, what
are the criteria for deciding whether this rises to a level in which
constitutional action is necessary?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm not going to get into all the legal issues
involved. Like I said, it's obviously something we are looking at
closely, and we will continue to look at closely. The President is
strongly committed to protecting and defending the sanctity of
marriage, and this is an important debate going on in this country.
Q Why did he only name seven members of the nine-member commission
on Friday?
MR. McCLELLAN: I expect we will be naming an additional two
shortly.
Q When?
MR. McCLELLAN: Shortly.
Q But can they start their work before they have all nine or do
they have to wait until you have all nine?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that they will want to get -- make
sure the whole commission is there. But those are issues we'll be
discussing directly with the members of the commission. I think that
they're ready to begin work as soon as they can, and we're working with
them to help them begin their work as soon as possible.
Q But are there problems attracting qualified candidates or --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think if you look at the people that are on the
commission, they are highly qualified individuals and they have a lot
of experience and expertise that they bring to the table.
Q What is your impression, Scott, of how the President did on "Meet
The Press"? Did he accomplish the goals that you wanted, that you had
hoped he would?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that the President welcomed the
opportunity to talk about the big challenges that he is acting
decisively to meet. There are great challenges facing this nation. The
stakes are high and the choices are clear. This was an opportunity for
the President to continue talking to the American people about the
policy decisions that we have made to make the country more secure and
to make America more prosperous.
Q Is it your belief or hope that that appearance will sort of stem
this sort of down-slide of poll numbers lately?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I don't know that we look at it that way. I
mean, obviously, you all pay attention to the daily tracking and ups
and downs of the election year. I think that the numbers you've seen
recently reflect the fact that there have been a lot of dramatic twists
and turns in the Democratic primary. That's where the attention has
been focused. There will be plenty of time to talk about the choice
that Americans face next November. The President remains focused on
what we are doing to address the big priorities this country faces.
Q Was this an isolated interview, or does he plan to be doing more
in-depth kinds of --
MR. McCLELLAN: He talks to the American people through a lot of
different -- in a lot of different ways. This was one way to do it. He
certainly does interviews with other networks, as well. He will
continue to talk to the American people in a number of different ways
and a number of different forums.
All right. Thanks.
**addendum: We worked closely with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce
and Senator Bond and Congressman Blunt's office. This was a location
that was recommended to us.
END 11:47 A.M. CST
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