For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 3, 2004
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Dallas, Texas
11:11 A.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: All right, let me go through the day. The
President had his usual briefings before we departed. He also, as you
are aware, made remarks in the Rose Garden and signed the United
States-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
When we arrive, the Freedom Corps greeter is Larry Hawkins, who has
been a volunteer with Ronald McDonald House in Dallas for the past four
years. Following that, the President will make remarks at a Victory
2004 luncheon in Dallas. It's at a private residence.
And then following that, he will deliver remarks at the 122nd
Knights of Columbus Convention. As you all are aware, the Knights of
Columbus is the world's largest Catholic family fraternal service
organization that is dedicated to helping those in need. And today the
President -- we just handed you a fact sheet -- will be announcing --
well, talking, one, about his faith-based initiative, but also
announcing some grants that will be going to help those in need,
particularly focused on mentoring children of prisoners and helping to
provide effective programs to those who have drug abuse problems.
And then following that, we go to Crawford, where the President
will be for the evening before departing in the morning. And that's
what I've got on the schedule. I'm here for your questions.
Q Are these grants new grants, or are they -- have they been
announced before?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, he's announcing this grant money now, today.
And it's detailed -- it's all in the fact sheet. You've got it right
in front of you.
Q What are the President's hopes for the Catholic vote in this
election? Does he think he can win the catholic vote?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you might want to talk to the campaign about
that. But, I mean, the President believes it's important to reach out
to people from all backgrounds and welcome people of faith into the
political process. And he will be reaching out to people from all
different backgrounds and all faiths throughout the campaign, including
those in the Catholic community. And he will be running on his record
and his agenda. And it's an agenda, I think, that many in the Catholic
community strongly support, because of our shared values on the
important issues.
Q What about the alerts, the terror alerts that have been
coming out. Has there anything been, in the past, this specific
before? Is this the most specific information? Is that why it was
released?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think, one -- let me comment on some of the
reports today, too, that I saw. I think it's wrong and plain
irresponsible to suggest that it was based on old information. Anyone
who looks at the detail and specificity of this information, which was
updated -- some of which was updated as recently as this year, and
couple that with what we know about al Qaeda's sophistication and
history, and the continuing stream of intelligence we have been
receiving about al Qaeda's desire to attack us during this summer or
fall time period, would not make such an irresponsible suggestion.
This is detailed, specific information -- intelligence information
that has recently been uncovered. And I think you have to keep in mind
al Qaeda's history. Al Qaeda has a history of planning attacks well in
advance and then updating those plans just before attacking. And you
also need to look at the -- like I said, the continuing stream of
intelligence we've been receiving. So we've seen, when it comes to the
embassy bombings, when it comes to the attack on the USS Cole, and when
it comes to the September 11th attacks, that these were attacks that
were planned well in advance and updated before the attacks were
carried out.
And I think that the 9/11 Commission talked about in their report
how -- the al Qaeda is an enemy that is sophisticated, disciplined,
patient, and lethal. Those are their words, from the 9/11 Commission
report. They also talked about some of the history there, with people
like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed who provided a menu of options to bin Laden
for attacks as far back as 1996. And so I think that you can look at
this intelligence that has recently come to our attention, and that
we're still analyzing, and learning more about, as really a menu of
options for al Qaeda to pursue.
Q Is this, though, the most specific it has been, and is that
why it was --
MR. McCLELLAN: Secretary Ridge spoke to that the other day, and
talked about how detailed and specific this information was. The
detail and specificity of this information is chilling. It is real,
and it is serious.
Q Is that why it was then -- the alert was then raised, because
--
MR. McCLELLAN: Like I said, you have to look at all those reasons
of why the decision was made to share this information publicly, as
well as to raise the alert for the financial sectors in those cities.
Q Scott, is the administration willing to reconsider its
position on budget authority and hiring and firing authority for the
new terrorism --
MR. McCLELLAN: Are you trying to define what our position is? Our
position is that the National Intelligence Director, as Secretary Card
said yesterday, is going to have an awful lot of authority when it
comes to the budget and personnel matters. And the President talked
about how he wanted to make sure that this National Intelligence
Director was involved in the coordination of those activities. And I
think you should look at this -- this person will make sure that there
is an integrated intelligence budget that is presented to the President
through the OMB process. As we move forward with Congress, we'll be
talking in more detail about the authority that this person will have.
But this -- the National Intelligence Director will have the authority
he or she needs to do the job.
Q So the President is willing to negotiate with Congress about
specific --
MR. McCLELLAN: We talked about how the person will have
significant authority and the authority that person needs to do the job
that he or she will be tasked with.
Q But is he open to negotiation on that, or is he set on his
way?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there's a legislative process you have to go
through on this -- on creating the National Intelligence Director,
because it is a Senate-confirmed position. And when it comes to budget
authority issues like that, that requires congressional action. We'll
be working closely with them and talking in more detail about that
authority as we move forward.
Q Most of the people on the Hill --
MR. McCLELLAN: These recommendations -- let's go back -- were just
made by the 9/11 Commission just over one week ago. And these are
serious issues that you have to give careful consideration, and you
have to look at all these issues carefully as you move forward on
them. And that's what we will be doing. But this person will have
significant budget authority and significant power and authority over
personnel matters.
Q Most of the people on the Hill yesterday that we talked to
said that they were waiting to see more details about what he's
proposing. Is the White House going to come out with more details?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let's talk about some -- you're talking about the
recommendations in general? I mean, we said in the coming days the
President will be issuing presidential directives on things that we can
do without congressional action.
Q No, I'm talking about the National Director of Intelligence,
you know, what his powers would be --
MR. McCLELLAN: That's why I said that we will be talking in more
detail as we move forward on this. But the President believes that
this is an important position that should be created, and it will be a
person that is his principal intelligence advisor. And in order to be
in this position, this person needs the authority and power to
effectively carry out the tasks of that job.
Q Is it a suggestion, that they're suggesting that he have full
budgetary authority, hiring and firing authority?
MR. McCLELLAN: Again, and let's talk about -- what do you mean by,
full budgetary authority? What do you mean by, full budgetary
authority?
Q He has control over --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- review process, where everybody goes through the
OMB process, and then the President makes the final decisions, and then
it's presented to Congress, and we work with Congress on those budget
issues. And that's why I said, we'll be talking --
Q So in your mind, the President's proposal does give him --
MR. McCLELLAN: What I said is that -- I mean, look back at what we
said yesterday. That still stands. And as we move forward, we'll be
talking in more detail about the authority this position will have.
Q So is it that the Hill doesn't understand?
Q We're just trying to figure out if you're saying you're open
to negotiations with the Congress on this, or no?
MR. McCLELLAN: What I'm saying is, that the President made the
decision to move forward on these recommendations, because he felt they
are important recommendations that should be adopted. And I would
point out to you that when you look at the 41 recommendations that the
commission has made, we have already acted on or are acting on, in one
form or fashion, 36 of those recommendations. Two of those
recommendations, beyond that, require action by -- are related to
congressional oversight, and require Congress to address. And then
there are a few others that we're still looking at. But we've made
significant steps, in terms of moving forward on their recommendations,
already, and now we're continuing to build upon those recommendations.
Now in terms of -- let me be clear on the budget authority, and
issues like that. That's why I said, the President made it clear that
he strongly supports the creation of a National Intelligence Director
that would have the same rank as a Cabinet member. It would not be a
Cabinet position, but it would be separate from the White House. And I
think he made it very clear in his remarks that this person would have
the authority and power he or she needs to do the job. And the task
force just completed its review of these recommendations. We're going
to continue moving forward and talking in more detail about that
authority as we move forward and as we work with Congress. So that's
where we are right now.
But that's why I just wanted to make sure that --
Q Do you think that the Democrats on the Hill --
MR. McCLELLAN: -- that, that it's characterized in that fashion.
Q Do you think there are some people on the Hill who don't
understand what the President is proposing then?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've been talking with Congress, just in the last
couple of days, really briefing them on what the President supports and
what the President wants to see Congress act upon. And we will
continue talking with Congress as this process moves forward.
Q How soon will we see more from the President on these other
initiatives?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he said in the coming days -- in terms of
presidential directives?
Q Right.
MR. McCLELLAN: He said in the coming days we would be issuing
presidential directives, and that's where it stands at this point.
Q Can you tell us if the selection process is already underway,
in terms of vetting candidates for the job?
MR. McCLELLAN: For the NID?
Q NID.
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I don't --
Q Is that going to happen after legislation is passed?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, one, I never get into personnel details like
that. Right now we just announced the President's support for the
creation of a National Intelligence Director, and it's important that
the Congress move forward quickly and responsible -- responsibly to act
on that recommendation. As President, you have to carefully consider
the consequences of all these actions that you take, particularly
during a time of war. And that's what we are doing, as we move
forward.
Q When do you expect the first presidential directive?
Q How does work on the NID influence the timetable for getting
a new CIA director? Why would you pick somebody for that agency when
you might get somebody who would be, in effect, his boss?
MR. McCLELLAN: The President is continuing to move forward on --
has continued to move forward on this -- the selection of a CIA
director. I'm not going to speculate about it any more at this point.
I said yesterday that I expect he will have more to say on it soon, and
that's where it stands.
Q When can we expect the first presidential directive?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'd just leave it where he left it yesterday in his
remarks. Obviously, we'll keep you posted, but he said, in the coming
days, in his remarks.
Q Is it the President's desire that the NID have budgetary
authority over -- who has the final say on the defense part?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's why I said that, look, when it comes to --
you have 15 different intelligence agencies. And so that's why you
need an integrated budget approach, and that's what this person will be
responsible for making sure happens. And that's -- and secondly, let
me repeat to you, because I want everybody to hear it again -- we will
be talking in more detail about that authority as we move forward. And
so I think you can expect that we'll be having more to say on that
authority as we move forward -- that's where it stands -- and on issues
that you're bringing up now.
Q You sound undecided.
MR. McCLELLAN: Deb, you have to carefully consider these issues as
you move forward, and you have to look at -- and again, that's why I
said these recommendations were just made just over a week ago. So you
want to carefully consider all of these issues as you move forward.
But this person will have significant budget authority.
Q What about hiring and firing? Is that on the table?
MR. McCLELLAN: Significant authority involving personnel issues,
as well. And again, on both those issues, we'll be providing more
detail as we move forward.
Q So maybe people were jumping the gun by saying, oh, this is
just a shell position that won't have any clout or any --
MR. McCLELLAN: I would dissuade you from trying to characterize it
in those terms, because I just totally disagree with that
characterization.
Q It's your understanding that he wants a powerful NID.
MR. McCLELLAN: We made that clear yesterday, I think.
Q I just want to make sure I understand. You're saying you're
going to be talking about it in the future. That basically means that
it's going to be a give-and-take with Congress as to what the final
decision is on the --
MR. McCLELLAN: I would describe it the way I did, that we'll be
providing more detail as we move forward on this. Obviously, when
you're talking about something that requires congressional action,
you're going to work closely with Congress on those matters. But the
President made very clear his commitment to making sure that we had a
National Intelligence Director that has the authority and power he or
she needs to do the job.
Q On another issue. On Kerry, -- sorry, Kerry did some
interviews on Sunday, I don't think you were asked about it -- said
that he wanted to -- he planned to substantially reduce the number of
U.S. troops in Iraq by the end of his first term, within his first
term, if he's elected. What do you think of him making suggestions
about troop --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that -- and this goes back to what I said
last week, and I think it also goes back to what he has been saying for
quite some time. The Senator is a walking contradiction. I think that
he had a very clever speech last week at the convention. But I think
the American people, frankly, expected that he would have been more
straightforward about his positions, particularly on Iraq. And the
American people know the President's positions.
And it's important that people are clear about their positions,
particularly in a time of war. The President doesn't have any secret
plans. The American people know what his plans are. He has a plan for
success in Iraq that is based on expanding and strengthening the Iraqi
security forces, and based on broadening international support, which
we have seen important progress in that respect, and moving forward on
elections, so that the Iraqi people will be in a position to assume
ultimate responsibility for their future, and that includes the
security situation.
And so the American people know where the President stands on
Iraq. And I think it's interesting that Senator Kerry has still not
answered a basic question, which is, based on what he knows now, does
he believe it was the right decision to remove Saddam Hussein's regime
from power.
Q Senator Kerry has thrown back a word that your campaign has
used against him a lot, which is, flip-flopping. He says that
President Bush was originally against the National Intelligence
Director and now he's for it. How do you answer that?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think the President addressed that issue
yesterday, and I'll let the campaign talk more about some of those
political attacks that he's making. Those are just more political
attacks from someone who has -- had a lot of trouble explaining his
position on Iraq and continues to refuse to defend his record over the
nearly 20 years he spent in the United States Senate. So there are
clear choices and clear differences here. But the campaign, I think,
has already responded to that particular charge.
Q One last random question. And that is about the schedule.
Why were we supposed to overnight and then not overnight?
MR. McCLELLAN: Apparently that was worked out. And the networks
and others had wanted it that way. So those are logistical details
that were worked out with our staff. And that was something that you
all had decided upon. We don't make those final determinations. We
consult with you guys. But I'm sure someone in the Association, maybe,
that's in this group, can talk to you more about it, too.
END 11:32 A.M. EDT
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