Text 762, 767 rader
Skriven 2005-04-13 23:33:02 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0504131) for Wed, 2005 Apr 13
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Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
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For Immediate Release
April 13, 2005

Press Briefing by Scott McClellan
James S. Brady Briefing Room

Press Briefing
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  þ President's schedule
  þ Meeting with congressional members
      þ Reference B
  þ Energy costs
      þ Reference B
  þ Leader DeLay/criticism from Republicans
  þ Budget/agriculture
  þ ANWR/capped oil wells
  þ Social Security
      þ Reference B
  þ Afghanistan/permanent military base
  þ Israel/settlements
  þ Palestinian efforts on road map
  þ Iran/Israeli view
  þ President's trip to Russia
  þ Saudi Arabia/Crown Prince visit
  þ China
  þ Opening game/Nationals

1:20 P.M. EDT

MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon. Good to see you, Terry. All right, let me
begin with the President's morning. And then I've got a couple of
announcements to update you on, on the President's schedule.

The President had a couple of congressional meetings this morning. The
President was pleased to welcome the bipartisan congressional leadership to
the White House for breakfast. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss a
number of important priorities for the American people. One of the top
priorities that the President discussed at the beginning of the breakfast
was the need for a comprehensive energy plan. The President remains
concerned about rising gas prices, and that's why he outlined a detailed
and comprehensive energy plan four years ago. And we continue to call on
Congress to act on that energy plan and get it passed.

He also talked about his meeting on Monday down in Crawford with Prime
Minister Sharon. Prime Minister Sharon has put forward a bold initiative to
withdraw from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, and the President talked
about the opportunity that this presents to get moving on his two-state
vision of Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security.
And they talked about the democratic progress going on in the region, as
well, and they talked about the new government that is taking shape in Iraq
and Iraq is on the path to a brighter and democratic future.

They also talked about the supplemental. The President talked about the
importance of acting quickly to pass the supplemental so that our troops in
Iraq and Afghanistan will have all the resources they need to complete the
mission, and that they'll have the resources they need to help train and
equip the Iraqi and Afghan security forces.

There was also a good discussion about the budget. The President believes
it's important that we get a budget resolution passed soon, one that funds
our highest priorities and exercises spending restraint, so that we can
make sure that we meet the President's commitment of reducing the deficit
in half over the next five years.

Then later this morning, the President had a good discussion with
Republican leaders from the House and Senate. This was the Republican
leadership, and that meeting focused on the legislative agenda that is
before us. We have a very full agenda before us in the coming months. And
they spent a considerable amount of time talking about some of the same
issues I just mentioned a minute ago -- the budget, energy, Social
Security. The President talked about the progress that is being made as we
reach out to the American people, and he talked about the need to move
forward and get it done.

Now, a couple of announcements I have. One of them I think you all are
already aware of. The President will welcome Crown Prince Abdullah of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to his ranch in Crawford on April 25th. The
President looks forward to discussing with -- discussing a wide range of
key bilateral and regional issues with the Crown Prince, including our
efforts to promote democratic reform, achieve peace in the Middle East, and
win the global war on terrorism.

And on April 28th, the President looks forward to welcoming President
Torrijos of the Republic of Panama to the White House. The President looks
forward to discussing with President Torrijos the common interests Panama
and the United States have in improving security, strengthening democracy,
and expanding economic opportunity in the hemisphere. The meeting is a
reflection of the close cooperation between our nations and the strength of
our bilateral relationship.

And with that, I am glad to go to your questions.

Q Scott, on the subject of gas prices, what's the President -- can you
detail for us the President's concern? Is he worried that high gas prices
are starting to put a strain on family budgets? Or is he concerned that
they've reached the level now where they're starting to actually negatively
impact the economy?

MR. McCLELLAN: He's concerned -- his concern has been something he's had
for his entire administration. This is a concern that the President has had
from day one, when he came into office. We continue to go through this year
after year because we do not have a comprehensive energy plan. That's why
the President outlined a comprehensive energy plan to reduce our dependence
on foreign sources of energy and make us more energy self-sufficient.

And rising gas prices are a drag on our growing economy. Our economy is
growing strong. We have seen some 3 million jobs created since March of
2003. Our economic growth is strong. We're seeing sustained and strong
economic growth. But rising gas prices are a drag on that economy. And it's
a concern that the President has about the impact it has on the American
people and on their pocketbook. And that's why he's calling on Congress to
get moving on the energy plan that he outlined four years ago.

Q Does he have some kind of an idea where the tipping point is here, where
a drag on the economy could become fully slamming on the brakes?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, keep in mind that we've already been acting on a
number of initiatives that the President developed as part of the
comprehensive energy strategy that we developed back in 2001. There are
some steps that we can take from the executive branch and we have taken
those steps; we will continue to do so. But what we need to do is continue
to work closely with Congress and get Congress to get this legislation
passed so that this problem doesn't recur.

But in terms of the assessment, obviously, it remains a concern that we
have these rising gas prices. What we have is -- and you have to take into
account the world economy -- what we have now is two nations that have been
developing, China and India, who are consuming much more oil. And the
supply is tight. And that's -- the President recognized the problem that we
faced when he first came into office. That's why we need to act on the plan
that he outlined.

Q Will there be any immediate impact, if Congress approved the energy
package right now, on gasoline prices, the rising gasoline prices?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there are steps that we need to look at now that we
can look at and that we are looking at. This is something that is a high
priority for this administration. We meet regularly on these issues, and we
will continue to do so.

The President next week is going to give a major speech talking about our
energy situation and about rising energy prices and the need to address
this issue. It's something that he has talked about at length for four
years now. And it's something that he has put forward a proposal to
address. And Congress needs to follow up on that proposal.

But there are steps that we can look at now to address some of these
issues. We've got to make sure that there's no price gouging going on.
We've got to continue to move forward on cleaner, more efficient
technologies, and that's exactly what we're doing. We've taken some action
when it comes to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for SUVs and
trucks. We helped improve those standards. And as a result, by 2007, you're
going to see some -- see us save some 340,000 barrels of oil a day.

We also have taken steps on diesel regulations to enable clean diesel
vehicles to -- or to have clean diesel vehicles. And our budget in 2006 has
$2 billion in tax incentives for energy-efficient hybrid vehicles. And we
want to see continued funding for the hydrogen fuel initiative. So there
are steps we're taking. But what needs to happen is Congress needs to act
on the comprehensive strategy that we outlined.

Q And if they do that, will there be any immediate impact on rising prices?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've got to make ourselves more energy
self-sufficient. That's one of the things the President, I expect, will
talk about in his remarks, and you'll hear more from the President in his
remarks next week, talking about this matter.

Q Scott, the President met at least twice today with House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay. As you know, he's come --

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me back up, Terry, one other thing I want to make, and I
think it's a point I've made before, we've got to have comprehensive
solutions. We can't have patchwork crisis management year after year. And
that's what we're seeing it comes to, and that's why we need to act on a
comprehensive solution.

Q The President, at least twice, has met with House Majority Tom DeLay
today. And in light of some of the criticism from fellow Republicans --
Chris Shays, as well as Newt Gingrich -- Shays saying that he believes he
should step down; at best, he says, this is a distraction, these questions
over his ethics; at worst, that it's bogging down the potential for other
congressional Republican candidates for 2006. Is it still the President's
feeling that he believes that he can effectively lead the Republican Party?
And, if so, why?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, the President previously made his views known, and that
remains his view. He has confidence in Leader DeLay. We have worked with
him on a number of important priorities, as well as other congressional
leaders, and the President intends to continue working with congressional
leaders -- like Speaker Hastert and Leader DeLay -- to get things done for
the American people.

Q Do you believe that the criticism from other fellow Republicans erodes
his ability to effectively lead the Republican Party?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's why we're focused on working with congressional
leaders like Leader DeLay to move forward on the important priorities
facing the American people. The meetings you brought up, the two meetings
that he attended were focused on the important priorities before the
American people. The American people want us to focus on getting things
done on their behalf -- on important issues like Social Security, like a
comprehensive energy plan. That's where our focus is. And the President has
made his views known on Leader Delay.

I know that there's going to be a tendency to get us to react to every
comment that's made day in and day out, and I think the President's views
are well-known. We're not going to get into commenting on everything that
is said each day.

Q So -- on DeLay and on one other subject -- so just on the record, then,
the President has reviewed the allegations against Leader DeLay and he's
completely confident that Tom DeLay is clean and can lead the Republican
Party?

MR. McCLELLAN: He was asked this question in a press conference just a
couple of weeks ago; he made his views known when it comes to Leader DeLay.
That remains his view. And in terms of those matters, I mean, I think I
previously talked about that those are issues that will be addressed by the
congressional leaders and by Leader DeLay.

Q On the budget -- you mentioned that the President talked about the budget
-- when the President rolled out his budget there was a great deal made of
how tough it was. One of the areas was agriculture, where the President had
proposed cutting subsidies primarily to very large corporate agri business
operations. It sounds as if the administration has now retreated on that.
Why?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I don't think that's the case and I think you might want
to follow up. I think you're referring to some comments by Secretary
Johanns, and you ought to look at his testimony from his hearing yesterday
and I think you'll see that in his comments. But I'm sure his office will
be glad to follow up on that.

That is an important part of our deficit reduction plan. These proposals
are common sense, reasonable ones that we believe Congress should act on.
We're continuing to work closely with Congress on the budget that the
President put forward. And it's important that they move forward on a
budget that is responsible and funds our highest priorities, but also holds
the line on spending elsewhere. And that's one of the areas where it's
important for Congress to act, to find savings. We should move forward on
those proposals and that's what we believe. And we'll continue working
closely with Congress on those matters.

Q So the report that the administration has given up trying to cap
subsidies at $250,000 -- that's incorrect?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't think that's an accurate description at all.

Q Scott, you said a couple days ago that, as the President said, he
considers Tom Delay a friend. I actually went back -- I never saw the
President say that anywhere. He said he had confidence in Tom DeLay. And I
also noticed that Tom DeLay said when the President was running for
President in 2000 -- or 1999 -- that Bush was not a social friend of his.
So does Bush consider --

MR. McCLELLAN: There are a number of congressional leaders that he works
closely with on the Hill and he considers a friend, sure.

Q And he considers Tom DeLay a friend?

MR. McCLELLAN: Sure. I mean, I think there are different levels of
friendship with anybody, so -- (laughter.) Well, no, you referred to social
friends and -- but, no, he certainly is a friend.

Q What level of friendship are you referring to here?

MR. McCLELLAN: A friend. The President considers him such. And we support
his efforts, along with the efforts of other congressional leaders, to move
forward on the agenda that the American people want us to enact.

Q Scott, back on the energy plan, some critics are saying that the ANWR
situation is long-term and whatever that would yield, it does not yield
enough to make a substantial difference in any gas price that is set at the
time. With the ANWR situation, is this administration, with the new plan,
thinking of possibly uncapping some of the capped oil wells in this country
that were capped because of environmental concerns?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think, one -- one, and this is something the
President talked about earlier today, is we do need to diversify our supply
of energy in the United States. That's part of the plan that he outlined to
Congress, and that's part of our efforts, is diversifying our supply. And
that means looking at alternative sources of energy. It also -- the
comprehensive plan that he outlined also calls for expanding conservation.
There are certain lifestyles that we've become accustomed to. And the
President believes it's important to expand conservation to promote energy
efficiency, and to look at alternative sources for energy.

And in terms of the issue you bring up, we need to look at ways we can use
new technologies. New technologies is an important component of our energy
plan to drill in environmentally responsible ways. And you can go back and
look at the plan that we outlined. There was a very detailed lengthy book
that we put forward in terms of what we're pursuing.

Q So are you saying that you're looking toward new technology to find -- to
go into these oil wells that are capped because of environmental concerns
-- are you coming back to --

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know, I mean, I think there are some probably
private companies that look at ways they can go ahead and do that. But in
terms of our plan, I would go back and look at it. I don't know
specifically, I can't recall specifically what it says on that matter. But
one area where we can make a difference and reduce our dependence on
foreign sources of energy is ANWR and expanding our domestic production
capabilities, and making use of the new technologies that do it in an
environmentally responsible way. When we're talking about ANWR we're
talking about a very small footprint on the land there.

Q Okay, but are you talking about as an option, possibly making a footprint
on some of these capped wells, as well?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, go back and look at our energy plan. There's a
lengthy book.

Q Can you tell me, without looking --

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't recall specifically, April. But there are examples
where I know companies have gone back and looked at ways they can explore
again where wells have been capped.

Q Scott, a minor point, and I don't mean to sound facetious, but you said
the President had two meetings with members of Congress, the first was
bipartisan.

MR. McCLELLAN: That's right.

Q Did the second one take place immediately thereafter, and did somebody
say, all the Democrats out?

MR. McCLELLAN: No. (Laughter.)

Q What happened there? How did it --

MR. McCLELLAN: The meeting this morning was at breakfast. It was at 7:00
a.m., it was about an hour, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. this morning. The
meeting with the Republican leadership from the House and Senate was a
little bit after 11:00 a.m. this morning, and it took place in the Cabinet
Room. In fact, the first thing the President did was walk in with Jack
Nicklaus and Gary Player and introduce them to the members of Congress.
They were here for the President's Cup team captain photo with the
President.

Q Scott, you said that -- in talking about Social Security with the leaders
this morning, the President talked about progress that's been made and that
it's time to move forward. What progress does the President think has been
made, and what does he want in terms of the move forward?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think if you look at survey after survey, it shows that
more and more Americans understand that there are serious problems facing
Social Security, and you continue to see in survey after survey that there
is strong support, majority support for the idea of giving younger workers
the ability to invest in personal retirement accounts. That is a voluntary
effort that the President has put forward. And the first phase of our push
on Social Security has been to reach out to the American people and educate
them about the challenges facing Social Security.

And we continue to reach out to the American people and talk about the
problems facing Social Security, and I think that that's the progress that
is being made. That is an important part of moving forward on legislation,
because the first step is everybody -- for everybody to have a common
understanding of the problems facing Social Security, recognize that it is
something that needs to be addressed and needs to be addressed now. And I
think more and more Americans are recognizing that.

Q So when you say the President told the legislative leaders it's time to
move forward, what does he expect of them in the near-term?

MR. McCLELLAN: In terms of -- well, in both this morning and with members
of Congress -- I mean, right now we continue to reach out to the American
people and talk about the challenges facing Social Security. And the
President is talking about some of the ideas and he's saying, I want to
listen to all ideas that are out there; I welcome all ideas; come forward
with your ideas for solving this problem; we need to have a bipartisan
solution to get this done, but it's important that we get it done this
year.

And in terms of how we move forward, that's what we're discussing with
members of Congress -- how do we move forward in a bipartisan way to get it
done this year. Because the American people, when they see problems, they
expect their leaders to address those problems. And -- go ahead, I'm sorry.

Q Just one more, then. So the 60-in-60 trip is up in two weeks, and if this
is part of what comprises phase one, does phase two start in two weeks, and
what does it entail?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I'm not putting -- if you're asking for a time line, we
continue -- I mean, we've been on a 60-day push to educate the American
people about the problems facing Social Security. We continue in that
outreach to the American people right now. We will at some point enter a
different phase where we'll be focusing much more on the solutions. But for
now, we need to continue to talk about the problems and the challenges
facing Social Security, and the need to find a permanent solution, and not
only a permanent -- a solution that permanently fixes Social Security, but
one that makes it a better deal for younger Americans, and for future
generations. Nothing is going to change for seniors.

Those who are now retired or near retirement aren't going to see any
changes. But at some point, we'll move into another phase where we focus
more on the solutions. And those are discussions that we continue to have
with congressional leaders. We're going to work in concert with
congressional leaders as we move forward. And we want to continue to hear
from them about how we can move forward in a bipartisan way to get this
done.

Q Scott, can I follow up on that?

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead. I'll come to you in a minute. Go ahead, Connie.

Q There are several stories --

MR. McCLELLAN: I'll come to you. I'll come to you. Go ahead.

Q Thank you. Just two quickly, one on Israel, one on Afghanistan. Would the
administration withdraw support for Prime Minister Sharon's plans if he
continues to extend settlements? And on Afghanistan, what do you think
about the proposal for a permanent U.S. base?

MR. McCLELLAN: The proposal? Okay, on -- first of all, on Afghanistan, our
focus is on making sure that Afghan forces are trained and equipped and
able to provide for their own defense and security. We want to make sure
Afghan forces are able to combat the threats from terrorism within their
own country, and from others who seek to derail the transition to democracy
in Afghanistan. And so that's where our focus has been.

We've been working very closely with the government in Afghanistan on --
and having ongoing discussions about how we move forward. We will continue
to discuss future security arrangements with officials in Afghanistan and
how we move forward. I wouldn't want to speculate on it at this point.

In terms of the question you asked about Prime Minister Sharon, I think
it's important to go back and focus on what the President talked about in
his press avail the other day with Prime Minister Sharon. Much of the focus
of the meeting the other day in Crawford was on the withdrawal plan that
Prime Minister Sharon has outlined. The meeting focused on how do we move
forward on this bold initiative, this disengagement plan that Prime
Minister Sharon has outlined. And that's why the President focused on the
importance of the Palestinian leadership taking Israel up on its offer to
coordinate closely on the withdrawal from the Gaza.

It provides a real opportunity for us. If we are successful there in the
Gaza, it provides a real opportunity to move forward on the road map and to
move forward on the President's two-state vision. But we've got to make
sure that there is -- and the world has a responsibility to help in those
efforts to make sure that the Palestinians are able to move in and
self-govern that area, and begin moving forward on additional measures to
have institutions in place for a viable democracy to emerge. And so that's
really where the focus was.

In terms of the settlement issue, all parties have obligations under the
road map. I talked about this the other day. I know this was a question you
all followed up with me on after the press conference, as well. We
recognize that Israel has certain views that they're going to take into the
final status discussions. Our view on the final status discussions were
reiterated the other day by the President. He talked about them a year ago
here at the White House; he reiterated them the other day -- where the
focus needs to be right now, it is on seizing this opportunity before us,
this opportunity that has been put before the parties in the region by
Prime Minister Sharon. And we want to see both parties meet their
obligations under the road map.

Go ahead. I'll come to you. No, no, go ahead. I'll come to you, Keith. Go
ahead, did you have something?

Q Me?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes.

Q Oh, thank you. On North Korea, it is reported that North Korea had
requested the closure of the U.N. Humanitarian Affairs Office in Pyongyang.

MR. McCLELLAN: That they have requested the what? The closure --

Q Closure of the U.N. Humanitarian Affairs Office in Pyongyang.

MR. McCLELLAN: I haven't seen those reports.

Q You didn't see --

MR. McCLELLAN: Are you asking me for a reaction, or --

Q Yes, what is your comment?

MR. McCLELLAN: I'll take a look at those reports.

Q It was reported by Korean Broadcasting.

MR. McCLELLAN: This morning?

Q No, weeks ago.

MR. McCLELLAN: Okay. (Laughter.) I'll take a look at it.

Q Scott, on the road map, can you identify even one Palestinian terrorist
group that has been disarmed by the Palestinian Authority in accordance
with the Bush administration's own road map? And I have a follow-up.

MR. McCLELLAN: I think it's important to look at some of the steps that
have been taken. And the President talked about President Abbas the other
day in the news conference. We look forward to having President Abbas visit
Washington again so the President can talk to him about what we can do to
support them in their efforts to move forward on the two-state vision that
he outlined. But there have been some steps taken to address the security
situation.

It's important that they have a unified security structure. General Ward
has been in the region working closely with the Palestinians to help put
those security forces in place and have a unified structure to address some
of these issues. But the road map is very clear in what it says. We've been
very clear in what our views are, as well. And it's important that the
parties meet their obligations.

Q In the event that Hamas, a terrorist organization not yet disarmed by the
PA, wins a majority in the legislative PA, will the Bush administration
still send $350 million U.S. taxpayer dollars to the PA, or not?

MR. McCLELLAN: Les, it's -- the one thing that you see when people have
elections that are free and fair is that they tend to choose people who are
committed to improving their livelihood, not people who are committed to
terrorist acts. And I think if you look back at the previous Palestinian
elections, the people that were elected, while they might have been members
of Hamas, they were business professionals. They were people that ran on
talking about improving the quality of life for the Palestinian people and
addressing their economic needs and addressing other needs that are
important to them -- not terrorists.

Q Scott, Senator Graham said yesterday that he would like the
administration to put forth some ideas for addressing the solvency of
Social Security and not just the private accounts issue that the President
has said doesn't address solvency. When can we expect to see some ideas
from the administration that -- like raising the retirement age and others
that have been put forth that address the solvency issue?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, some of them you brought up. The President has said
all those ideas are on the table. The President has said all ideas are on
the table with the exception of increasing the payroll tax rate. That's
what he has made clear: I welcome all ideas, and it's important for others
to come forward and present ideas. If they recognize that there is a
problem, then they need to come forward and present ideas for solving that
problem. That's what the American people expect. And the President has
said, our door is open. We want to see Democratic leaders start to come to
the table and present their ideas for solving this problem, so then we can
move forward in a bipartisan way to get something done.

But in terms of timing, those are discussions that we continue to have with
congressional leaders to talk about how we move forward. And we will do
that in concert with those congressional leaders.

Q One more question on the Sharon meeting and his meetings yesterday with
the Vice President. I guess I'm looking for a way to sum up the Iran
question and whether it's our -- the U.S. government's belief that the
Israelis have given us new reason for alarm about what Iran is up to.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, in terms of our public assessments of the threat from
Iran and their ability to develop nuclear weapons -- Admiral Jacoby gave
our current public assessment of what the threat is. And that's what it
remains. So you might want to go back and look at his remarks from last
month where he talked about it.

But in terms of the whole issue, Iran and the development of nuclear
weapons, I think that our view has been stated very clearly, and that is
that we support the efforts of the Europeans to get Iran to abandon its
nuclear weapons ambitions. We all have a shared goal of making sure Iran
does not develop a nuclear weapon. And the Europeans stressed the
importance of Iran providing objective guarantees. We want to see this
resolved through the diplomatic efforts of the Europeans. We want to see it
resolved in a peaceful way, and that's what we're pursuing.

Now, the President and the Prime Minister discussed this issue over lunch
the other day in Crawford. They talked about Iran's nuclear programs and
our view that Iran's civilian nuclear program is a guise for which they're
using to develop nuclear weapons. And that's why it's important that Iran
come clean, cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency and
that they abide by their other international obligations. And so we'll
continue supporting the efforts of the Europeans.

And they did have some discussion about our concerns. We have concerns
about Iran's intentions, and we have talked about that with Israel
previously. Those are ongoing discussions that we have with them.

Q Are we more concerned after what Sharon said to him?

MR. McCLELLAN: We remain concerned about Iran's intentions. That's the way
I would describe it.

Q Scott, the bulk of Western Europe celebrates the end of the European
theater of World War II on May 8th. The President is celebrating it on May
9th, which is when the Russians mark it. Why?

MR. McCLELLAN: Why is he celebrating --

Q What's the message being sent by doing it with President Putin, rather
than doing it with the rest --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President looks forward to going to Russia to mark
this occasion. This is something that President Putin has talked about for
quite some time. As we get closer to that meeting, then I think we can
focus more on the visit and talk more about what we're going there for.

Q Can you say whether he will mark it also on May 8th, do something on May
8th, some proclamation --

MR. McCLELLAN: We'll keep you posted on the schedule.

Q On the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince, there's some rumors running
around the market that some oil deals will be discussed, specifically
whether the Saudi sour crudes will be swapped into the SPR to release
perhaps some light sweet crudes. Will the discussions -- do you expect the
discussions at the ranch to be that detailed? And does this mark a point
where the President is willing to jawbone OPEC about production levels?
Because he has not been so far this year.

MR. McCLELLAN: I gave you a general sense of the agenda. As we get closer
to the meeting, then we can talk more about the agenda at that point.

Q And on the speech next week on oil issues, should we expect a major new
initiative to come out of that speech, or will it be more of what we've
heard already?

MR. McCLELLAN: Same thing. Again, this is a week away. The President hasn't
even worked on the speech at this point.

Q -- we can concentrate that long.

MR. McCLELLAN: The President -- you'll hear more from the President next
week. But as we get closer to it, we can talk more about it at that point.

Q What day is the speech?

MR. McCLELLAN: I expect it will be next Wednesday. We're still finalizing
that.

Q Here? There?

MR. McCLELLAN: We'll get you details later this week, once we finalize it.

Q Practicing in the theater yet?

Q Scott, on energy again, I understand the President believes a
comprehensive energy plan is the long-term solution. Does he believe
Congress, or anybody, can do anything about a short-term solution and the
currently spiraling prices?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I talked about what we're doing now. Maybe you weren't
paying attention at the beginning, when Terry was asking his questions, but
--

Q Well, you never really gave much of an answer on something immediate.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, I think I did. We are constantly looking at these
issues. That's why I said that it is a high priority for this
administration, it has been from day one. We need to make sure that there's
no price-gouging going on. We also need to move forward on those other
initiatives -- which we are -- that I outlined at the beginning.

Q But those are long-term solutions. Currently, gas prices --

MR. McCLELLAN: Those are steps that we can take now to reduce our
dependence on foreign sources of energy. And in terms of price-gouging,
that's not -- that's something we do now.

Q Will the high price be on his mind when he speaks with Abdullah at the
ranch?

MR. McCLELLAN: Let's wait for the meeting -- let's wait until we get a
little bit closer to the meeting; then we'll talk about it at that point.

Q Does he have to fill up the pickup truck, himself? (Laughter.)

Q Actually, on the pickup truck, the photograph --

MR. McCLELLAN: Hang on. Hang on.

Q -- the President's position to have a high-level regular meetings with
China? And will energy and military, those aspects be included in these
kind of talks?

MR. McCLELLAN: They are -- they're included in those kinds of talks. What
do you mean? I'm sorry, you asked about meetings with China?

Q The administration has decided to have some mechanism to talk to China --

MR. McCLELLAN: Sure, we have a number of different working groups that we
have with China on different issues and different areas, and we continue to
have ongoing dialogue with China on a number of issues.

Q This is a new thing that will be headed by Deputy Secretary Zoellick,
that some paper reported, that maybe they were going to start in the
summer, they will have regular high-level exchanges, and why.

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I think we talked about that previously, about some
different working groups that will continue to focus on different areas
with China. That's something we've talked about previously. You can go back
and talk to State Department about some of the specifics of what they're
moving forward on now.

Q Will they talk with China about energy? Are there going to be competition
--

MR. McCLELLAN: We've had discussions with them about it. I'm sure we'll
continue to in the future.

Q Scott, you know the President is throwing out the first pitch at RFK
tomorrow. Can you give us -- can you give me, at least, any idea of kind of
what his schedule for the day is? Is he going to meet with the team? Is he
going to warm up in the bullpen? Is he going to stay for much of the game?
That sort of thing.

MR. McCLELLAN: He's loosening up and getting ready. The President looks
forward to throwing out the first pitch tomorrow at the first home game for
the Washington Nationals. And in terms of -- I'm sure that he will visit
with both teams beforehand and talk with them. And then I'm sure that he
will have some time to do a little warm-up before going out on the mound.
But he looks forward to throwing out the first pitch. And as an avid
baseball fan, he welcomes baseball coming back to Washington.

Q Is he going to watch much of the game? Are there any security concerns
about that?

MR. McCLELLAN: He will watch some of the game.

Q Does he have a position on whether it should be called National Guard
Field?

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.

Q Scott, at what level are you concerned about price gouging, and just what
are you doing about it?

MR. McCLELLAN: What's that? Well, Department of Energy and Justice
Department, they stay focused on those issues to make sure that that isn't
happening.

Q I mean, is this at the refiner level, at the service station level?

MR. McCLELLAN: It's something we're always staying on top of, Peter.

Q What, if anything, can you point to that the administration tried to do,
ever, to keep gas prices from getting to the point where they are now?

MR. McCLELLAN: What can I point to? The comprehensive energy plan we
outlined at the very beginning of our first term and called on Congress to
pass.

Q I'm asking what's been done to try to keep gas prices from getting to
where they are now. Whatever it was --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's why I pointed out that what happens is that we
see this problem recur year after year -- the prices go down, but then they
come back up, and they continue to rise. That's why we need a comprehensive
solution to this issue. That's why the President put forward a
comprehensive solution to the issue. And now it's time for Congress to act
on that comprehensive energy plan.

Thank you.

END 1:56 P.M. EDT
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