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Skriven 2005-01-28 23:33:00 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0501285) for Fri, 2005 Jan 28
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Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 28, 2005

Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan
Aboard Air Force One
En route White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia


  þ President's Schedule
  þ Social Security
      þ Reference B
  þ U.S. Presence in Iraq
  þ Iraqi Elections
  þ Week Ahead

11:40 A.M. EST

MR. MCCLELLAN: The President this morning taped his radio address. It will
be on the Iraqi election. Then he had his usual briefings. He went to the
State Department for the swearing-in ceremony of Secretary Rice.

And when we get to West Virginia, the President looks forward to attending
the Congress of tomorrow luncheon. The President will be talking about the
agenda for the coming year and the second term. I expect the President will
talk about the importance of working together to move forward on our shared
priorities. He'll talk about working to win the war on terrorism, and
spread freedom, working together to keep our economy growing stronger,
extending the compassion of America and building an ownership society.

Obviously, when we talk about the war on terrorism aspect he'll touch on
the historic times we're in, where we're seeing that freedom is on the
march in places like the Middle East region and the broader Middle East;
where Afghanistan has held elections; the Palestinians elected a new
President; Iraq is moving forward on elections this week; and point out
other places as well -- like Ukraine just holding their elections.

I expect on the economy he'll touch on things like making sure we have a
budget that meets our highest priorities, while exercising spending
restraint. I expect he'll talk about the importance of moving forward on
lawsuit reform, the importance of reforming our tax code, the importance of
making sure we have an educated work force prepared for the jobs of the
21st century -- that means supporting community colleges, enhancing Pell
grants and things of that nature.

And I expect he'll talk about the importance of continuing to move forward
on the faith-based and community initiative that the President has pursued.
And when it comes to the ownership society, obviously, I expect he'll spend
some time talking about strengthening Social Security for our future
generations and the importance of acting on that now.

But, anyway, then we return back to the White House and the President will
be at the White House through the weekend. And I'll get to the week ahead
after we go through any questions you all might have.

Q How much trouble does the President think he has persuading Republicans
to support his Social Security plan?

There's been a lot on TV shows expressing skepticism.

MR. McCLELLAN: When you say "a lot," who --

Q Well, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, in the House
you've got people like Olympia Snow, Rick Santorum in the Senate.

MR. McCLELLAN: I think the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee
has talked about ways to move forward to permanently fix Social Security
and take steps to strengthen it for future generations. That's what he's
been talking about. And the President has been participating in meetings,
some of those were bipartisan meetings to talk about ways we can move
forward together in a bipartisan way. He's been meeting with Republican
congressional leaders, as well, to talk about the importance of addressing
Social Security this year. And in those meetings there has been a strong
consensus around the need to seize the opportunity we have before us to
strengthen Social Security.

So I think that there is a recognition throughout the Republican leadership
that it's important that we seize the opportunity we have now and fix
Social Security before it gets even worse. And the President is going to
continue talking to members about all ideas to move forward and do that.

Q If he's asked a question about a timetable for reducing the U.S. presence
in Iraq, or a timetable for even getting out of Iraq with armed forces,
what's he going to say to the members of Congress?

MR. McCLELLAN: He will say what he's said before. When you're talking about
a timetable, are you talking about for our troops; is that what you're
asking?

Q Yes.

MR. McCLELLAN: We've got an important mission to complete, and that's
helping put Iraq on a path to a peaceful and democratic future and making
sure that Iraqi forces are prepared and capable enough to defend their
country. And that's why we're working to train and equip Iraqi security
forces and put in place a command structure to make sure that they're fully
capable of assuming full responsibility for their country's security. And
we're going to continue partnering with them to do that.

I think most Iraqi leaders and most Iraqis recognize the importance of the
coalition forces helping the Iraqi people move forward on a peaceful and
democratic future and helping to build the Iraqi security forces so that
they can provide for their security in the future. Our coalition forces are
serving and sacrificing to help the Iraqi people realize a brighter future
and they're also serving and sacrificing to make America more secure. We're
grateful for that.

As the President has talked about, the elections on Sunday are an historic
moment for the Iraqi people, and a free and peaceful Iraq will be a force
for change in the broader Middle East. And we're there to support them,
every step of the way, and I think the Iraqi leadership recognizes that.

Q How is he going to monitor the election on Sunday? Is he going to be
getting updates from staff?

MR. McCLELLAN: My understanding is that the election will be basically
taking place from about -- from around 11:00 p.m. Eastern time to 9:00 a.m.
Eastern time on Sunday. And he'll receive updates as needed. And,
obviously, he'll be paying close attention to it. I mean, I think most
people expect the results are going to take a couple of weeks -- take a
couple of weeks for the results to come in.

But this is an important step in Iraq's future, an important step on the
path to democracy. And you're seeing the determination and the courage of
the Iraqi people in the face of terrorists who are doing everything they
can to derail a transition to democracy. Because they recognize how high
the stakes are and this -- when we achieve a free and democratic and
peaceful Iraq, it will be a major blow to the ambitions of those who
support an ideology of hatred and oppression.

And you saw -- I might point out that you're seeing some coverage today
where Iraqis living abroad are already casting their ballots for the
transitional government. And there are some remarkable comments that you're
hearing from these people as they cast their vote. One woman who cast her
vote in Jordan said, "I've been waiting for this day, I've been dreaming of
this day to tell my grandchildren that in the first election in the history
of Iraq, I was the first woman to vote." You had another individual who was
in Australia said, "When I look at the ink on my finger, this is a mark of
freedom." And just one more quote. Another one who held up his ink-stained
finger said, "This is a symbol of democracy." And one other who said, "This
is the first time we can vote with any freedom. I could almost cry."

The Iraqi people want to vote. They want to have a say over their future.
And this is an historic moment for them and a significant achievement on
their path to democracy. And we are there to help them in every way we can
-- as well as many other members of the international community.

Q The week ahead?

MR. McCLELLAN: Week ahead. On Monday, the President will go to the
Department of Education and participate in a swearing-in ceremony for the
new Secretary of Education. And then at the White House later that day,
he'll participate in a photo opportunity and make remarks to the Detroit
Pistons. That will be in the East Room.

On Tuesday, the President will sign the Presidential Proclamation on
National Heart Health Awareness Month in the Oval Office. You know this is
an effort that Mrs. Bush has been very involved in.

And then on Wednesday, the President will deliver the State of the Union
address. And then on Thursday, the President will make remarks at the
National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. And then we will travel Thursday
and Friday.

The President will participate in a conversation on Social Security reform
starting in Fargo, North Dakota. Then he will go to Great Falls, Montana,
will overnight in Omaha, Nebraska, and on Friday, the President will
participate in a conversation on Social Security in Omaha. Then he'll
participate in a conversation on Social Security in Little Rock, Arkansas.
And then he'll participate in a conversation on Social Security reform in
Tampa, Florida, before we return back to Washington.

Q Okay, that's all Friday?

MR. McCLELLAN: All Friday.

Q Fargo, North Dakota and --

MR. McCLELLAN: Fargo, North Dakota, Great Falls, Montana, overnight Omaha,
and then Omaha, Little Rock and Tampa.

Q What's the strategy behind going to Florida? Because in the papers I've
seen Senator Bill Nelson, of Florida, has said, essentially, he's not too
interested in doing private accounts.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, this is one of our nation's highest priorities,
strengthening Social Security, and the President is going to be speaking
directly to the American people all across the United States. And this is
the beginning of the post-State of the Union outreach that he will be
doing. But he's going to continue to lead on this issue and talk directly
to the American people about the importance of acting this year to
strengthen Social Security.

As you're well aware, Social Security only gets worse over time. And each
year you wait, it's going to cost another $600 billion to fix the system.
And he'll continue talking about how you have fewer workers paying into a
system to support a growing number of retirees. And this is the time to act
to strengthen it. So this is the beginning of the post-State of the Union
outreach efforts that he'll be participating in.

Q Do you think there will be more after that, more states to be visited the
week after? Can you preview that, at all?

MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, we'll keep you posted. He will continue to go out and
speak directly to the American people about the importance of acting on
Social Security and strengthening it for our children and grandchildren.
So, yes, he will.

Q Scott, is he taking questions today? Or is it just remarks? Is it a
conversation?

MR. McCLELLAN: He'll make remarks, then he'll take some questions from
members, yes. You'll be in for the remarks.

Q Not the questions?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, that's how it's always been. Yes.

Okay, thanks.

END 11:52 A.M. EST

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