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Press Briefing 03/09/06
— Friday, March 10, 2006 — Q Scott, can I just review what the President said? You keep talking about this context. What do you say to those in Congress who plan to take legislative action? This is February 21st in Air Force One, President Bush said, "They ought to listen to what I have to say about this. They ought to look at the facts and understand the consequences of what they're going to do. But if they pass a law, I'll deal with it with a veto." I don't understand why you're saying you're not drawing lines in the sand? That's a line in the sand. MR. McCLELLAN: I'm telling you where the emphasis is right now, and where things are in terms of the process and the discussions. Again, that was a question he was specifically asked a couple weeks ago. Q If he was asked it again today, what would he say? MR. McCLELLAN: Martha, he would say what I'm saying right now, so I think I've expressed our views. Q That you're moving forward. He would not say again, I would veto it? MR. McCLELLAN: It doesn't change what I just said. Again, look at the meeting that took place earlier today, and let me again describe for you the nature of that meeting. The nature of that meeting was to talk about how we can continue to work together on important priorities and how we can move forward on other issues. And one of the issues the President brought up was this very issue. But to try to suggest we're trying to continue to get into drawing lines or issuing veto threats is not -- Q But you are backing -- MR. McCLELLAN: -- is not -- Q You are backing -- MR. McCLELLAN: -- is not where things are. Hang on, let me finish. No, I didn't say that. I said that our position hasn't changed, but our -- where we are right now in the process is, working with Congress to try to find a way forward. I know that there's sometimes a tendency to simplify things, but it takes it out of context when you do that. And that's why I'm stressing to you where things -- Q Well, he put it pretty simply when he said he would veto it. MR. McCLELLAN: That's why I'm trying to stress to you where things are right now. Q All right, but did the President -- Q But the line in the sand was drawn. And if you're saying, no, no, no, we're not backing off, the position is just the same, the position isn't just the same if you're not drawing a line in the sand, because the President drew a line in the sand. MR. McCLELLAN: I think I gave you an accurate description of where things stand. I don't think anything changes in terms of what I just said earlier in this briefing. Q Scott, but you're giving the impression that you're backing from the veto threat? MR. McCLELLAN: No, I just answered that question earlier. Q So you're not doing that? Q You're not backing off? Q The President is not backing off? MR. McCLELLAN: I think people in this room are trying to get us into drawing lines with Congress. We're trying to work with Congress to move ahead. Q You drew the line. Q We didn't draw the line. MR. McCLELLAN: And that's where we are. Q You did it. MR. McCLELLAN: No, actually, David, I didn't. What I'm saying is that we're all working together to try to find a way ahead. So I didn't do that. Q The President drew the line. Martha just read it to you. I mean, he did it, and you are not willing to stand up there, -- MR. McCLELLAN: That's right. Q -- and say the President still has the view that he would veto it. MR. McCLELLAN: He was asked a specific question. And as I said, his views and what he has expressed are what they are, and they remain the same. But where we are right now in the process, David, is trying to work together to move forward. And so I don't think anybody is trying to -- from our side it trying to get into drawing lines. We're trying to work together to move ahead. And I don't know how clearer I could be, but that's the accurate reflection of where things are. It's not an accurate reflection to suggest otherwise. And so what I'm trying to do is put this in context for you all in this room. And you can keep asking the same question, but I'm giving you an accurate reflection of where things stand in this process. And that's the best I can do. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 2:13 AM
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