For Immediate Release
October 21, 2004
Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One En Route Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Presidents Schedule
-- Reference B
Telemundo and Univision
Religion
Job Numbers
Baseball
Campaign 2004
Iraq
12:23 P.M. EDT
MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. Let me begin with the President's
day. He had his usual briefings this morning, back at the White
House. Then he had the signing of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act,
aimed at preventing teen suicide. You all are aware of that.
Then he had some interviews with some Hispanic television networks,
Telemundo and Univision. I think he did two interviews with two
different Univision programs. And then he also had the Telemundo one.
And then he had some tapings at the White House.
Q Do you know when those Hispanics air?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me try and get you that information. Let me
just double check that. I think one of the programs was Sabado, which
airs on, I think, Saturday nights.
And then we've got the first event in Downingtown, Pennsylvania,
where the focus will be on health care. I expect the President will
talk about the practical reforms he is proposing for his second term to
make health care more affordable and accessible. And I expect he will
contrast his agenda with Senator Kerry's views, and talk about the
stark differences there, both in terms of the ideas, as well as the
philosophy behind those ideas. And then we go to Hershey,
Pennsylvania, where he'll make remarks this afternoon, as well. Oh,
Archbishophe's got the meeting with the Archbishop of Philadelphia, as well, in
Downingtown.
Q What's that? Why is he doing that?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he often meets with religious leaders both in
Washington as well as when he travels across the United States. I can
try to get you an update on the different meetings he's had with
Catholic bishops.
Q Is he reaching out to Catholic voters?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me get you a readout of the meeting after it
occurs, and we'll get you more information on that.
Q Does the President have any take on some Catholic officials
feeling that John Kerry should be denied communion and sacraments?
MR. McCLELLAN: Look, those are questions you ought to direct to
those religious leaders.
Q Jobless claims ticked down. What are you saying?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think you continue to see indications that
the economy is moving forward and continuing to create jobs. You look
at the four week average, as well, it signals we should be able to --
we should expect continued job growth. The economy is moving forward
because of the pro-growth policies the President has worked to
implement. The last thing we need to do is turn back from those
policies by raising taxes. That would bring the economy to a
screeching halt.
Q The President was once quoted as saying, anybody but the
Yankees. Did he watch last night?
MR. McCLELLAN: He caught some of both games. I know we were kind
of on our way home last night, and I know he caught some of the
Astros-Cardinals game, and I know he caught some of the Yankees-Red Sox
last night, as well.
Q Apart from watching, what's his reaction, what's his hope?
MR. McCLELLAN: He hopes for a great game tonight and he hopes for
a great World Series. It's been an exciting playoff series to watch.
Q Some karma in a Massachusetts-Texas World Series?
MR. McCLELLAN: We'll see what -- see what happens tonight.
Q Scott, what did the President think about Teresa Heinz
Kerry saying that Mrs. Bush never had a real job?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that issue was addressed yesterday. I
think Karen talked about it yesterday, and I think I'll leave it where
Karen left it.
Q Pat Robertson is sticking by his story. I know you spoke
on this yesterday, but --
MR. McCLELLAN: I think what I -- what I said yesterday still
stands. You know, the -- what I said yesterday still stands.
Q British troops are going to Baghdad. Is that -- is that a
help to the U.S. force?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think that those are discussions that were had
between the multinational force commanders. It's really military to
military contacts. We appreciate the contributions of all the 30-some
coalition forces in Iraq, including the British forces. The British,
like the other 30 nations who are contributing troops, are making
tremendous sacrifices to help the Iraqi people build a free and
peaceful future. And the coalition forces are there to partner with
the interim government to continue to address the ongoing security
challenges in the country.
Q In the wake of the kidnapping of the head of CARE in Iraq,
a number of non-governmental organizations, NGOs, have been reassessing
whether they want to stay in the country. Is the President doing
anything to urge them to stay?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the I don't know about the number. I know
what CARE said, as well. I think that the international community
recognizes the importance of what we're working to achieve in Iraq.
And we're all there to help the Iraqi people build a brighter future
and help them move forward on free and fair elections. And that's what
we're working to achieve. So, obviously, people have to make their own
decisions about -- related to their own circumstances.
Q Any schedule updates for us?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.
Q -- closed roundtable when we get to Downington?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes. I think he does before the -- before the
first event.
Sunday, October 24th, this Sunday, we will depart from the ranch
and go to Alamogordo, New Mexico for a Victory 2004 rally. That'll be
in the afternoon on Sunday. Then we return back to the ranch that
evening.
Then on Monday, the 25th, the President will make remarks at a
Greeley, Colorado Victory 2004 rally. And then he'll make remarks at a
Council Bluffs, Iowa, Victory 2004 rally. And then remarks at a
Davenport, Iowa Victory 2004 rally. We will overnight in La Crosse on
Monday -- La Crosse, Wisconsin, that is.
And then on Tuesday, the 26th, it is a bus tour day. The President
will make remarks in La Crosse. Then he will participate in a Focus on
the Economy with President Bush event in Richland Center, Wisconsin.
And then he'll make remarks at a Cuba City, Wisconsin Victory 2004
rally. And then he'll make remarks --
Q Cuba City -- what state?
MR. McCLELLAN: Wisconsin. Then he'll make remarks at a Dubuque,
Iowa Victory rally, and we will be back at the White House Tuesday
night.
Q Wow. What else, anything?
MR. McCLELLAN: That's all I've got for now.
Q You're still not able to say when the leaving the White
House, not coming back day is going to be?
MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'll try to get -- I'll try to get you all that
information as soon as everything is finalized. At this point, we may
have one other night back at the White House.
Q In addition to the one you just --
MR. McCLELLAN: In addition to the one I just said. But, again,
things are still a little bit flexible at this point. But in the next
day or so, hopefully I can get you that information for your planning
purposes.
All right. Thanks.
END 12:30 P.M. EDT
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