For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 9, 2004
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En Route Colmar, Pennsylvania
Presidents Schedule
National Guard Service
Swift Boats
Costa Rica
Campaign 2004
Iraq
Jakarta
11:53 A.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: The President had his usual briefings this
morning. He also participated in an NSC meeting --
Q Subject?
MR. McCLELLAN: Iraq -- with General Abizaid and General Casey, and
Ambassador Negroponte were all -- via satellite. Then he had some
photo opportunities with the School Principals of the Year.
When we arrive in Pennsylvania the Freedom Corps greeter is Eunice
Sanchez, who has been a volunteer with the Amachi Mentoring program in
Philadelphia for the last three years. And then the President will go
to Byers' Choice, which is a small business manufacturer, and make
remarks there, where he will talk about his vision for the economy and
the clear choices facing our nation as we continue to move forward on
the economy. He'll talk about his pro-growth economic agenda and the
steps that we're taking to continue on a path toward growth and
opportunity.
I think you're all familiar with some of the things he'll touch on
today. This will be kind of a more lengthy speech on the economy.
Then, following that --
Q It's a campaign event?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. He'll talk about some of the choices and the
contrast, when it comes to the philosophy of the candidates and their
records and views.
And then he will make remarks at a Johnstown, Pennsylvania Victory
2004 Rally this evening, before we get back to the White House.
A couple of updates on the schedule. On Saturday, the 11th, you
already have that he will attend a service of prayer and remembrance
and then participate in a moment of silence on the South Lawn.
Following that, at 10:06 a.m., the President will participate in a live
radio address, in observance of the September the 11th terrorist
attacks. And joining him will be some families of the victims, as well
as first responders. And this is his second live weekly radio address
that he will tape -- or live weekly radio address that he will do as
President.
Q When was the other one?
MR. McCLELLAN: It was the March 9, 2002, Rose Garden signing of
the Job Creation and Worker's Assistance Act of 2002.
And on Monday, the President will do another bus tour. He will
participate in a "Focus on Health Care with President Bush" event in
Muskegon, Michigan. Then he will make remarks at a Holland, Michigan
-- not Steve Holland, but at a Holland, Michigan, Victory 2004 Rally.
Then he'll make remarks at a Battle Creek, Michigan Victory 2004
Rally. We will overnight in Aurora, Colorado.
And on Tuesday, the 14th, he'll make remarks at a Jefferson County,
Colorado Victory 2004 Rally. Then he'll make remarks to the General
Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States in
Las Vegas.
Q Remaining overnight?
MR. McCLELLAN: Tuesday? No, we return back. I think that's all
I've got.
Q Before we get to the Vietnam War, what did Abizaid and
Negroponte and company tell the President about Iraq right now?
MR. McCLELLAN: As you are aware, I let you know that he
participates in NSC meetings on -- when he participates in these NSC
meetings, but there is not going to be a readout of that meeting.
Q Why did the President defy a direct order to get a physical
in 1972?
MR. McCLELLAN: Scott, these are the same old recycled attacks that
we see every time the President is up for election. It's not
surprising that you see a coordinated effort by Democrats to attack the
President when Senator Kerry is falling behind in the polls. And we
had a very successful convention, and that's what this is about. It
was well known that the President was going to work in Alabama and
seeking a transfer to perform equivalent duty in a non-flying status.
And that's what he was doing.
Q Did he decline to take it because he was moving to Alabama?
MR. McCLELLAN: He was transferring to a unit in Alabama to perform
equivalent duty in a non-flying status. That is nothing new.
Q This was a direct order he defied, right? I mean, he did
have a direct order that he defied?*
MR. McCLELLAN: John, these issues have come up every year. This
was all part of the records -- that he was seeking to transfer to a
unit in Alabama because he was going there to work in a civilian
capacity. And he was granted permission to do so. And he was proud of
his service and he was honorably discharged in October '73, after
meeting his obligations.
*The memos that were released, in fact, show the President was
working with his commanders to comply with the order.
Q Do you think that the Kerry campaign was behind these
allegations surfacing again now?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think you absolutely are seeing a coordinated
attack by John Kerry and his surrogates on the President. The polls
show Senator Kerry falling behind, and it's the same old recycled
attacks that we've seen every time the President has been up for
election.
Q Do you think it's retaliation for the Swift Boats attacks on
Kerry?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's -- I think it's in response to Senator
Kerry falling behind in the polls and a successful convention that we
had last week in New York.
Q Scott, even if these are old and recycled, and he was --
MR. McCLELLAN: This -- there --
Q I'd like to ask --
MR. MCCLELLAN: I would like to finish my answer.
Q But I didn't ask my question yet.
MR. McCLELLAN: But I haven't finished my answer to Steve. This
race is about the future and the choices that the American people
face. And there are clear differences on the issues. And I don't --
Senator Kerry will do anything he can to avoid defending his record and
talking about the clear choices that the American people face. And
this President -- the President will continue to focus on his agenda
for the future. And that's what the American people want this election
to be focused on. And that's where our focus has been and where it --
well, where it will continue to be.
Q Scott, I'm just wondering, even if these were old charges,
and even if the President was honorably discharged, did he or did he
not defy an order to get that physical?
MR. McCLELLAN: Holly, again, these are the same kind of recycled
attacks that the Democrats are trying to engage in. The President
fulfilled all his obligations, and that is why he was honorably
discharged from the National Guard in October, 1973. He was given
permission to perform equivalent duty in Alabama, and he met his
obligations, and he met his obligations when he returned to Texas. And
he met his obligations when he was in Texas, prior to going to
Alabama.
Q Costa Rica has demanded to be taken off a list of the
coalition. Do you have anything to say about that? Have you heard
from them directly?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, every country, obviously, has to make their
own decision. We're pleased by the strong international support for
the ongoing efforts to help the Iraqi people build a free and peaceful
future. The United Nations passed a strong resolution supporting the
efforts there. Every country has to make their own decision about how
they want to participate, and in what ways. And if that's what they
want, then I'm sure we will do that.
Q Are you going to take them off the White House list on the
website?
MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sure if that's what -- I'm not aware of any
official communication with the United States on this matter. But,
like I said, every country can make their own decision and has to make
their own decision. If they want to be removed, then I'm sure we
would.
Q What did you think about this new Kerry TV ad pointing out
the $200 billion cost of Iraq?
MR. McCLELLAN: I haven't seen the ad, but it -- first of all, this
is coming from the same person who, a year ago, said he wanted to
increase costs for Iraq. I would point out that -- my understanding is
that we have spent about $119 billion related to Iraq. And, certainly,
when we send our troops into combat, we're going to make sure they have
all of the resources and equipment that they need. And Senator Kerry
is the one who voted for the authorization to go to war, and then he
voted against the support for our troops when he voted against the $87
billion. And I think it's another example of him coming up with yet
another position on Iraq when he brings this issue up. But that -- but
that is a false number, too. It's his latest new position on Iraq.
Q The overall situation in Iraq, there's more and more
references in the newspapers to a quagmire. We have Fallujah is a
terrorist haven, rebellions in various cities against the U.S. troops.
Is Iraq becoming a quagmire?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, we've -- I don't think such analogies have --
they're false analogies, first of all. We continue to make progress as
we help the Iraqi people move forward to a brighter future. We've
always said that there are going to be difficulties and dangers along
the way, particularly as we move closer to holding elections. The
terrorists and the enemies of freedom in Iraq are seeking to derail the
transition to a free, peaceful, and democratic -- self-governing Iraq.
And the Iraqi people are determined not to let that happen and --
not to let that happen, and we are there to support the interim
government and Iraqi forces as they work to address these ongoing
security threats. There are ongoing security threats that Iraqi forces
are taking the lead to address, and we're there to support them along
with the other coalition forces.
Q And just one more point on this, Prime Minister Allawi said
that it was possible elections would have to be delayed because of the
violence. Is that your understanding, as well?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we are continuing to move -- help the Iraqi
people move forward on the timetable that has been previously set out.
And, like I said, that there are those who are seeking to derail that
transition to democracy and free elections. And they will be
defeated. They will not prevail.
Q Al Gore is saying today that Cheney's comments on the
election are sleazy and despicable and an effort to blackmail voters
with fear. That's from Al Gore today -- Al Gore in response to
Cheney's comments about another terrorist attack coming. If Kerry is
elected -- Al Gore is calling Cheney's comments --
MR. MCCLELLAN: Consider the source.
Q He was Vice President, last I looked.
MR. McCLELLAN: He's made all sorts of attacks against the
President.
Q Jakarta bombing. Got anything on it?
MR. McCLELLAN: What about it, just looking for a comment?
Q Any details we might not have heard, or a reaction?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we condemn these kind of attacks in the
strongest possible terms. It is -- it shows the true nature of the
terrorists, and it is a grim reminder that we remain engaged in a
global war on terrorism. The terrorists will be defeated. This is a
tactic that is -- that's similar to tactics that have been used by
Jemaat-e-Islam. And our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
Thanks.
Q Thanks, Scott.
END 12:06 P.M. EDT
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