For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 18, 2004
Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
12:36 P.M. EST
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everybody. We have a big turnout
today. I will go straight to questions. Steve.
Q Do you see any need for a U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti,
or any sort of international assistance to help them through this
process?
MR. McCLELLAN: Steve, we are continuing to work with countries in
the Caribbean and the Organization of American States to bring about a
peaceful political resolution to the situation in Haiti. Obviously, we
are concerned about the humanitarian situation in Haiti, and we
continue to work on efforts to make sure people have the aid that they
need there. Secretary Powell has been in close contact with his
counterparts in the region, and that's where things are now.
Q To follow up, Scott, on that --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'll come to you in a minute.
Go ahead, Helen.
Q I want to revisit a question I asked you last week and you
didn't have the answer -- you may have it now. Did the President ever
do community service while he was in the National Guard?
MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, you had said that this was relating to a
rumor that you heard, and I think there's a difference between
rumor-mongering and journalism. And so I'm just not going to dignify
those kind of rumors from this podium. I think the records have been
released and you have -- all the information is available to you
publicly.
Q So you don't really know?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I said this was relating to some trashy rumors
that are circulating out there, and I'm just not going to dignify them
from this podium.
Q It's a very simple question.
MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, John.
Q Was there any discussion today about the Democratic victory
in the Kentucky special election, at the White House? And why did the
President not even cut a commercial for the Republican candidate, the
way he did for Congressman Shuster in the last Pennsylvania --
MR. McCLELLAN: He expressed his support for -- in that election.
And obviously, there's elections that occur all over the country, and
the President does what he can to support candidates who share his
compassionate conservative philosophy.
Q Did you think the result was a setback at all for the
President?
MR. McCLELLAN: I didn't look at it that way at all. Obviously,
individual races are decided by the candidates, themselves.
Q Scott, does the White House stand behind its report issued
just nine days ago, the Economic Report, there will be 2.6 million new
jobs created this year?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we went through a little bit of this
earlier today. I think that people can debate the numbers all they
want; the President is focused on acting on policies to create as
robust an environment for job creation as possible so that we can help
those who are hurting because they are looking for work and cannot find
a job.
The President is encouraged by the direction the economy is
moving. It is growing strong -- or growing stronger, I should say --
it is strong and growing stronger. There have been more than 366,000
new jobs created in the last five months. The unemployment rate
continues to decline. It is now the lowest point -- at the lowest
point it has been in two years, and it is below the average of the
'70s, '80s, and '90s. Certainly, productivity continues to be high,
and people's disposable incomes are up. There are a lot of good
indications about the direction the economy is moving.
But there is more to do. And the President is focused on acting to
create as robust an environment as possible. That means acting on his
six-point plan for strengthening our economy even more. We live in a
changing economy right now, John, and the President has put forward a
plan that will help create as robust an environment for job creation as
possible. It will help retrain workers who have lost their jobs to
meet the jobs of the 21st century -- these jobs that are high-paid,
high-skill jobs. And so that's where the President's focus is on.
Q Well, you say this is a changing economy, and you also said
earlier that this report was based on economic data that is now three
months old. So would it be wrong for the Democrats, later this year --
if you don't meet this 2.6 million forecast of jobs -- would it be
wrong for them to beat you on the head about it?
MR. McCLELLAN: It would be wrong for people to raise taxes at this
point in our economy. And there are some -- (laughter) -- well,
there are some that are advocating letting the tax cuts that the
President worked to pass expire. And what that would be doing is
raising taxes on small businesses. Small businesses are the economic
engine for our economy and they're at the foundation of creating a
strong and growing economy. It would raise taxes, if they let these
tax cuts expire, on moms and dads who are trying to raise a family. It
would raise taxes on married couples by restoring the marriage
penalty.
Q When you dismissed the premise of John's question by saying,
people can debate the numbers, let's be realistic here, the debate is
going on between your Council of Economic Advisors and Treasury
Secretary John Snow. Are there people here in this White House who
never believed that forecast?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, John, I think that the Council of Economic
Advisors puts out an annual report on the economy; it's the President's
Economic Report. And they do that every year. They've been doing it
for some 20 years now. That's based on economic modeling and the data
that is available at that point in time. The President is interested
in the actual number of jobs being created, and the President is
interested in making sure that everybody who is looking for a job can
find one. That's where the President's focus is.
That's why I say people can debate the numbers all they want, but
the President is going to be looking at the actual numbers of jobs
being created. And the number of jobs being created is growing. The
number is up. New jobs are being created. The economy is certainly
moving in the right direction. And my point to John was that the last
thing we need to do right now is raise taxes. And we need to focus on
the policy decisions that are being made here in Washington, D.C. to
create as robust an environment for job creation as possible. And
that's where the debate ought to be focused.
Q But it would appear, though, that people very high up in this
administration didn't have a whole lot of faith in the forecast of the
report that went up to Congress just a week ago in terms of the job
creation numbers.
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, it's an annual economic report that is put
out by the administration based on the economic modeling and the data
that's available at that point in time.
Q Can you answer the specific question, though? Was this
report -- was the prediction of this many jobs, 2.6 million jobs,
vetted prior to publication by the entire economic team?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's an annual report, David. It goes through the
usual -- it goes through the usual --
Q That's not the question. Was it or was it not vetted by the
entire economic team?
MR. McCLELLAN: It's an annual report. It goes through the usual
--
Q So you don't know, or it was, or it wasn't?
MR. McCLELLAN: Can I get -- can I finish that sentence?
Q When you answer the question. Let's hear it. What's the
answer?
MR. McCLELLAN: The answer was, it is an annual economic report and
it goes through the normal vetting process. And if you would let me
get to that, I would answer your question.
Q -- the full economic team vetted the prediction --
MR. McCLELLAN: It's an annual economic report. It's the
President's Economic Report. But again, the President --
Q Just say yes or no --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- it goes through the normal -- it goes through
the normal vetting process.
Q So the answer is, yes. I'm not done yet, I've got another
one.
MR. McCLELLAN: Okay.
Q Why -- if you're suggesting that people will debate the
numbers, that's kind of a backhanded way to say, oh, who cares about
the numbers. Well, apparently, the President's top economic advisors
do, because that's why they wrote a very large report and sent it to
Congress. So why was the prediction made in the first place, if the
President and you and his Treasury Secretary were going to just back
away from it?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I disagree with the premise of the way
you stated that. This is the annual Economic Report of the President
and the economic modeling is done this way every year. It's been done
this way for 20-some years.
Q So why not -- why aren't you standing behind it?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think what the President stands behind is the
policies that he is implementing, the policies that he is advocating.
That's what's important.
Q That's not in dispute. The number is the question.
MR. McCLELLAN: I know, but the President's concern is on the
number of jobs being created --
Q My question is, why was the prediction made --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and the President's focus is on making sure that
people who are hurting because they cannot find work have a job.
That's where the President's focus is.
Q Then why predict a number? Why was the number predicted?
Why was the number predicted? You can't get away with not -- just
answer the question. Why was that number predicted?
MR. McCLELLAN: I've been asked this, and I've asked -- I've been
asked, and I've answered.
Q No, you have not answered. And everybody watching knows you
haven't answered.
MR. McCLELLAN: I disagree.
Go ahead.
Q This nuclear -- put in all of these stories are still making
headlines all over the globe. Now the story is that, one, is President
Bush is concerned about this -- and is he considering any sanctions.
Because the story -- this technology is now going beyond Pakistan
because Iran is now saying that they will sell the fuel, and also, his
daughter, Mr. Khan's daughter fled with all the sensitive documents
from Pakistan to England, and she said, my father is -- and I will go
to public if something happened to him. Now he had a heart attack and
they --
MR. McCLELLAN: I understand. You heard the President talk about
the importance of confronting the threat from the spread of weapons of
mass destruction just last week. He has made it an important priority
of this administration from day one. It is -- the most dangerous
threat that we face is from the spread of weapons of mass destruction
and the possibility of those weapons getting in the hands of terrorists
who seek to do harm to America and our friends and allies.
And that's why the President is acting decisively to confront this
threat and make the world a safer place. And certainly the network
that has been broken up by the government of Pakistan is an important
step in stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction. This is a
shadowy network that exists. The investigation continues, there is
still more that we are learning. But we are acting to break up this
network once and for all.
Go ahead, Jim.
Q Are you talking about Khan --
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me keep going. Go ahead.
Q The President has said he is closely following what's
happening in San Francisco and repeated his statements about being
troubled and so forth. I still don't understand, what is it that has
to happen for the President to do something other than express his
displeasure?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, we've talked about from the very
beginning when this issue arose, because some activist judges were
seeking to redefine marriage, that this is a serious matter. The
President believes very strongly in protecting and defending the
sanctity of marriage. He has made it very clear that he is committed
to doing what is legally necessary to protect and defend the sanctity
of marriage. He believes very strongly that marriage is a sacred
institution between a man and woman. And he recognizes that people may
disagree on this issue, and he certainly believes it's important to
respect individuals and -- in that process.
But the President is closely looking at these events as they
unfold. You have the events unfolding in Massachusetts, with the
activist judges seeking to redefine marriage. You have events he
talked about earlier today going in San Francisco, where licenses are
being issued despite -- or without regard for the law in California.
There are some that ignoring the law by taking actions in California.
And so the President is troubled by these events, and he is concerned
about the direction some of these events are headed.
Q When you keep saying he's troubled and you say he wants to
defend it, it's not quite clear at what point the President thinks his
intervention is necessary. What combination of events requires his
intervention?
MR. McCLELLAN: This is an issue where he believes it's important
to stand on principle. He has always believed that marriage is a
fundamental, enduring institution of our society, and that marriage is
between a man and a woman. And while he believes it's important to
treat everybody with dignity and respect, he also believes it's
important to do what is necessary to protect the sanctity of marriage.
And so we are continuing to look at these events very closely.
Obviously, if the President comes to any further decision on this, then
he will have more to say at that point.
Q No, I understand the decision hasn't been made yet. But I'm
just trying to figure out -- you say the President is determined to
defend the sanctity, and that he thinks it's a very serious issue. I'm
just trying to figure out what it is that would require presidential
intervention. You've got bills in the Congress, you've got judges
working on it. What would the President -- what could he do?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what he said -- well, he said -- he has said
that if necessary he would be prepared to look to the constitutional
process, because that may be the only -- or that would be the only
alternative available if activist judges continue to redefine
marriage.
Q But what makes that necessary? Does this have to go up
through the court system? Is that what he's waiting for?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we're continuing to monitor events. You've
got a legislature in Massachusetts that has been looking at this
issue. You've got officials in California speaking out against what is
going on in one particular city there.
Q Can I go back to the jobs issue for a moment?
MR. McCLELLAN: Sure.
Q We've been talking about whether or not the CEA forecast of
adding 2.6 million jobs is correct. But actually what CEA forecast was
that the average number of jobs in 2004 would be 2.6 million higher
than in 2003, which for reasons I won't bore everyone with implies a
rate of growth in jobs well beyond the, roughly, 200,000 a month that
would be implied by a 2.6 million rise in jobs. The bottom line here
is that the CEA is forecasting, at a minimum, about 300,000 jobs a
month will be created. Do you stand by that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Economists do economic modeling. That's the
Economic Report of the President. Let me be very clear here, though.
This President is focused on what we are doing to create as robust an
environment as possible for job creation -- not in crunching numbers.
He's looking at the actual numbers that are coming in, the actual
numbers that are being created, and looking to make sure we're doing
everything we can to keep our economy moving in the right direction and
create more jobs.
I mean, this is an important debate going on in this nation, and
there's a clear choice. Some people -- some people want to turn back
and take actions that would raise taxes on people, at a time when our
economy is really starting to grow strong.
Q Okay, well, on that point, the President's advisors have, at
various times, made very specific predictions about the number of jobs
that would be created by the very policies that you are continuing to
advocate right now, specifically the tax cuts. Those projections have
not come to pass.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you're talking about some original proposals
that were proposed, and then you have to look at what was actually
passed.
Q They were changed only minimally from what was originally
proposed. Why should we believe that these projections are any better,
or reflecting better the impact of these policies, than your previous
projections?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think when you say what should you believe, I
think you should focus on what policy decisions the President is making
to create more jobs in this country. It's important that we continue
to act to create as many jobs as possible in this country, and that
means creating a robust environment for job creation. That's where the
President's focus is on. Like I said, we can debate the numbers all
you want here, or we can look at the number crunchers. Economists do
economic modeling, them make forecasts. There are blue-chips out
there, there are a number of different economists out there with
different interpretations. And it's based on assumptions --
Q The question is, why --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- it's based on assumptions at that point in
time.
Q -- how can you sell these policies as creating jobs when, in
fact, they haven't?
MR. McCLELLAN: I disagree --
Q Or at least not to the degree that you previously projected.
MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, no, disagree. Well, one, let's have a
discussion about that, because you have to look at the fact that we are
in a changing economy right now. I talked about that when John rose
this issue. You have productivity growth at very high levels these
days. And that's a good thing, because it means increased living
standards; it means more -- it means higher pay for workers, so they
have more money at their disposal.
And in this changing economy, we have an economy that is strong and
growing stronger. But because productivity growth is so high, you're
not seeing the same kind of job numbers that you would expect at this
level of GDP. And so that's why --
Q But that's not what --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, that's why the President put forward a
six-point plan to create an even more robust environment for job
creation. That's why he's called on Congress to pass comprehensive
energy legislation. That's why he's called on Congress to address the
rising cost of health care. That's why he's called on Congress to pass
medical liability reform. That's why he's called on Congress to
continue to act to promote free trade with a level playing field.
Q And do you think that will create more jobs this year?
MR. McCLELLAN: It will create an even more robust environment for
job creation when Congress acts on those measures. Absolutely. But
let me dispute -- you said jobs weren't being created. Jobs are being
created. There's 366,000 new jobs over the last five months that have
been created.
Q What I said was that jobs aren't being created at the level
that you were projecting when you were advocating the passage of these
policies.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, what was originally proposed versus
what actually passed.
Q Scott, just a quick follow-up on that. As Dick mentioned, it
does project basically at least 300,000 jobs a month. You, yourself,
just mentioned that there are a lot of economists out there who have
projections; the blue-chip forecasters is one that is often cited.
They're averaging 166,000 a month. The top ten of the blue-chip
forecasters are averaging 225,000 a month. What does the White House
know to project over 300,000 -- a minimum of 300,000 --
MR. McCLELLAN: We had a briefing on the Economic Report when that
was put out, with our economists there to answer your questions --
Q Why are you so much more optimistic?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and I think they answered the questions at that
time.
Q Why are you so much more optimistic, Scott?
MR. McCLELLAN: I've already addressed this question.
Go ahead.
Q Just to go back to this number. This is a report that not
only was put out by the President's economists, but it was signed by
the President of the United States, this report. So, obviously, he
supported the concept of projecting 2.6 million jobs over the next
year. You're not -- you still have not said that the President stands
by that.
MR. McCLELLAN: I said it was the Economic Report of the President,
and that the modeling that is done in those reports is done by our
economists over in the Council of Economic Advisors. They do this
every year. They've done it for some 20 years, in every administration
before us over those 20 years.
Q So, looking back -- let's say we get to October and November
on this past year, 2004, and if that projection is not fulfilled, how
would that not be a failure of this administration?
MR. McCLELLAN: What we are going to do is continue to focus on the
policy decisions that are being made here in Washington, D.C. and the
policies the President is putting forward. This President has acted
decisively to get our economy out of a recession, that he inherited,
and get it growing strong. And it's growing stronger at this point.
It is moving in the right direction. This is where the debate needs to
be, is on the policy decisions that are being made here in Washington,
D.C., and do we continue to act to strengthen this growth even more, so
that we can see more new jobs being created, or do we turn back and see
our economy slow down.
There are some that would advocate letting those tax cuts expire,
which means taxes would be raised on working moms and dads trying to
raise a family, that taxes would be raised on small business. That's
where the debate should be.
Q Given the environment that we're in, the political
environment, given the importance of this jobs issue this election
year, was it a mistake to make that prediction?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, that's something that's done every year in
the annual Economic Report. I mean, you're trying to get in here to
get me to answer questions that are trying to trap me into certain
things. That's not the way --
Q I'm just asking a question --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think there are some that are looking for
headlines here --
Q No, we're looking for answers, not headlines.
MR. McCLELLAN: -- the President is focused on what is happening --
go ahead.
Q Scott, there is a simple question, very important question
that will face voters this fall. The President repeatedly speaks to
the fact that when he says something you can take it to the bank. If
the President signs a report making a prediction, shouldn't voters hold
him responsible and accountable for that prediction?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, those are forecasts made by our economists
at a specific point in time, based on the data at that point.
Productivity growth can affect those assumptions that are put into
those economic forecasts. So different economists have different
forecasts on the productivity growth. Some think it's going to be
lower; some think it's going to be higher. But productivity growth --
Q Okay, but shouldn't he be held responsible --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- it's important -- it's important for -- it's a
good thing that productivity growth is high. But we also need to
continue to strengthen the economy even more.
Q My question was about his prediction and whether he should be
held responsible --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think we've been through this issue.
Q Scott, when you talk about the unemployment -- or the jobs
being created, is that based on the payroll survey, or the household
survey? Because there's -- because of the tax cuts, there's been a
tremendous increase in the number of entrepreneurs that have started
their own businesses, and those numbers aren't reflected in the payroll
survey.
MR. McCLELLAN: That's correct, yes. The household survey is
different from the payroll survey. And the household survey showed
that some -- an increase of 496,000 jobs in January alone. So there
are different numbers that you're talking about there. And we can look
at both. But, again, you're getting into -- you're getting into the
numbers here. The numbers that the President is interested in is the
actual numbers of jobs being created and the policies that we are
taking to create an even more robust environment for job creation.
Q Can I ask one more question?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, go ahead.
Q It's a different subject. The Welfare Reform Act comes up
this year for renewal. Is the President supporting efforts to insert
meaningful work requirements into the bill, where today there is none?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've been advocating passage of the Welfare
Reauthorization bill for quite some time now. Congress needs to act to
strengthen those work requirements even more and build upon the
successes of the original legislation that was passed in the mid-90s.
Q This President has had a number of issues come up over the
last couple of weeks in which his credibility has been questioned --
Medicare costs, the budget, Iraq -- even from within your own party.
So now you've put out a number that says you -- that your tax plan,
your policies will erase all job losses, 2.6 -- it will create 2.6
million jobs. You erase all the losses from his first term by
November. And now you say, well, maybe it will, maybe it won't. What
are we --
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think -- I don't think that's what I said,
Bob. You're putting words in my mouth. I don't think that's what I
said. I said that this is our annual Economic Report that is based on
the economic modeling done by our economists. And it's based on that
snapshot at that point in time, based on the data that is available at
that point.
Q But your point is that you don't stand behind that number,
that number --
MR. McCLELLAN: Some people are putting those words in my mouth. I
said that this was -- this was the President's Economic Report that is
put out every year. So I made that very clear. But let's talk about
-- you brought up an important issue. Let me remind you that this
President does exactly what he says he is going to do. This President
said he was going to take steps to strengthen our economy and get it
out of a recession. And he advocated the passage of tax cuts, and
those tax cuts are working. He is doing exactly what he said he would
do. And now he's calling on Congress to take even more steps to create
an even more robust environment for job creation. And that's where the
focus ought to be. And that's where his focus is.
Q Scott, with the political situation changing constantly in
Iraq, what is going to happen now? Will Paul Bremer leave after June
the 30th, and what happens to the administration there at all?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, his job ends at that point, when sovereignty is
transferred.
Q And the whole American administration? We know that the
military stays in, but what happens to --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, there's -- well, the Coalition Provisional
Authority ceases to exist at that point in time.
Q And then if there's nobody to turn it over to, then what
happens?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry?
Q If they're not organized --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, we'll be transferring sovereignty to a
transitional government at that point.
Q Scott, two questions real quick. On Haiti, one; and then the
other on gay marriage. First, on Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide
believes that the White House is blaming him for the problems that are
happening there now, and that's some of the reason why the
administration is kind of cool to the fact of going in to help with the
problems there.
And also on gay marriage, has the President discussed with the Vice
President his feelings about gay marriage, especially since the Vice
President has a family member who is gay?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think he very much knows the President's views.
Q But I mean -- yes, he knows the President views. But have
they -- this is a major issue. This is --
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, April, they discuss important issues like
that.
Q They have. Well, could you tell us to what length and what
have they said?
MR. McCLELLAN: I don't get into the President's private
conversations.
Q No, no, but, seriously, Scott, this is a politically divisive
issue. And the Vice President has a family member who is gay; the
President defines marriage as man and women. Have they come together
and tried to -- has the Vice President tried to discuss with him the
issue of seeing it his way, or his family member's way?
MR. McCLELLAN: April -- April, the President has always said it's
important to treat all people with dignity and respect. But this is an
issue of principle. This is an issue that he feels very strongly
about. And it's taking a principled stand to protect and defend the
sanctity of marriage. That's what this is about. Marriage is a
fundamental, enduring institution of this country. And the President
is committed to protecting it.
Q And now on Haiti, what about --
MR. McCLELLAN: What was your question?
Q The question was the fact that Jean-Bertrand Aristide says
that the administration is blaming him for the problems there, and is
this some of the reason why the administration is not going to --
MR. McCLELLAN: We're actually working very closely with other
nations in the region to bring about a peaceful resolution. We're
working to end the violence and bring about a political dialogue that
focuses on negotiation and compromise. There's some steps that were
spelled out by the Caribbean community in a joint statement, I think
that was released last Friday, steps that they called on Haiti to take
to make some changes in the way it's governed, and to make some changes
in the security situation in Haiti.
Q What do you say to Aristide when he says that the U.S. is
blaming him for the problems there? Is that true?
MR. McCLELLAN: What we are trying to do is resolve this issue
through a political dialogue --
Q But are you blaming him -- trying to resolve --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and end the violence.
Q Are you blaming him?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, April, our focus is on bringing this to a
peaceful, political resolution --
Q But are you blaming him? We understand that. Are you
blaming him?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- and there are steps that the government of Haiti
can take that will help in the long-term, as well.
Q Two questions. One, both Japanese and Iranian officials have
said that Japan will sign a $2-billion oil field development deal in
Iran. In the past, the United States has tried to curtail investment
in Iran's oil industry, and apparently the U.S. did ask Japan not to go
ahead with this deal. Do you have any reaction to the news that Japan
is going to go ahead and invest in the Iranian oil industry?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm just now hearing about this report. I'll be
glad to look into it and get you more information.
Q And the second question, the energy bill -- there's some talk
up on Capitol Hill it may hit $14 billion in costs as it's scored. Is
that too high? Because I think previously you had said $8 billion was
your limit.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we put forward our budget, and we have
previously called on -- you're correct -- the $8 billion range in the
energy legislation. We are continuing to work closely with
congressional leaders to pass a comprehensive energy plan that will
reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. So we're working
very closely with Congress on that.
It's also important to look at this in the context of the
President's overall budget framework. He put forward a budget that
meets our priorities and holds the line on spending elsewhere. So it's
important that we make sure that we're looking at it in that context.
I talked about the highway legislation last week, and obviously, there
are some that are talking about coming more in line with what the
President had originally proposed on the energy legislation. And we're
continuing to work with them on those issues.
Q Will themselves $14 billion trigger a veto?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're going to continue to work closely with
Congress to get this passed.
Q The Tunisian government has been cooperating with the
administration in the war on terror. It's also a government that has
jailed reporters and restricts a political process. The government has
talked about the need to bring democracy to the Middle East. Is the
President willing to give some countries a pass on democracy and human
rights in return for cooperation in the war on terror?
MR. McCLELLAN: I wouldn't look at it that way at all. In fact,
we'll have more for you on a readout from the meeting later today. But
the President -- I think you heard the President talk about this very
issue in the Oval Office -- this President is strongly committed to
advancing freedom and democracy, particularly in the Middle East.
And Tunisia has made some important progress when it comes to
economic and social reform. They have certainly recognized the
importance of women's rights. And that's important progress, but there
is more to do. And this President makes it clear in meetings he has
with world leaders that we are strongly committed to seeing continued
progress on those areas, including on democracy. I think the President
talked about making sure that there is an open political system. He
talked about the importance of -- I expect he will talk about the
importance of human rights and human dignity, rule of law, and freedom
of press, one of the issues you just mentioned.
Q So the President has talked to --
MR. McCLELLAN: Those are principles that we believe in very
strongly.
Q So these are points that the President has or intended to
make today --
MR. McCLELLAN: We'll have more of a readout, but, absolutely, he
raises those issues all of the time in meetings with world leaders
because he believes very strongly in them.
Go ahead, Jacobo.
Q Two questions, please. The Democratic candidates for the
nomination have stopped attacking themselves and have been attacking --
MR. McCLELLAN: People are attacking themselves? (Laughter.)
Q It's a jungle out there --
MR. McCLELLAN: I wish you would attack yourselves instead of me.
(Laughter.)
Q We love ourselves.
MR. McCLELLAN: Now they're focusing all of their attacks on the
policies of President Bush. When is he going to start answering back?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, the President is going to remain focused on
the important priorities before this country. There will be plenty of
time to talk about the differences down the road. I think the American
people will have plenty of time to focus on the election as we get
closer to November. But they want us to remain focused on the
important priorities we've been discussing in this room, from the
economy to the war on terror, and so forth.
Q -- second question, please. The President of Venezuela, Hugo
Chavez, has been accusing the United States of intervening in the
Venezuela political process, which he says should be an internal
affair. What does the White House --
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry, repeat that first part.
Q The President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has been accusing
the United States of intervening in the Venezuelan political process,
saying it should be an internal affair.
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've talked about the importance of
supporting democratic reforms, and that's the President's -- that's the
President's views.
Q Scott, a group of prominent scientists, including some
university presidents and Nobel laureates, signed a letter today
complaining that the White House has systematically skewed science to
fit its policy agendas. In particular, they accuse the administration
of stacking federal advisory panels and suppressing EPA studies that
don't agree with policy objectives. Have you seen the letter, and can
you respond --
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I haven't, but I can assure you that this is an
administration that makes decisions based on the best available
science. And I would point to what we are doing in terms of the
President's Clear Skies initiative as a prime example. We've seen the
success from the acid rain program of this market-based approach. And
the President has put forward a Clear Skies initiative to cut power
plant emissions by 70 percent. And that's an initiative that is based
on the best available science. And that's what we do with all our
policies in this realm.
And I would point out to you that as an example of how strongly we
believe in making decisions based on the best available science, this
administration has worked on an independent peer review process to look
at how science is used in regulatory decisions. That is something our
Office of Management and Budget has been working on, so that we can
make sure that those decisions are being made based on the best
available science.
Thank you.
END 1:08 P.M. EST
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