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 Press Briefing 03/28/06 — Wednesday, March 29, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think Andy always looks at it in terms of what's best for the President. And so that's the way he approached it. Q So he did it because it was best for the White House for him to leave? MR. McCLELLAN: I'm sorry? Q So he did it because he believed it was best for the White House if he left? MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think he was looking at what is in the best interest of the President, in his view. Q And, obviously, the President agreed. MR. McCLELLAN: Well, no, Ken, I think that that's simplifying it too much. As I indicated earlier, the President reluctantly accepted his resignation. This was after a number of discussions that they had. And Andy was the one who first approached the President about it and raised the possibility of it. And the President took time to think about it, discussed it with others, discussed it with Andy, and came to the decision he did over the course of the weekend. Q So he agreed with Andy that it was best for the President if Andy left at this time? MR. McCLELLAN: Ken, I think you're trying to simplify it, and I wouldn't do that. And I would not agree with the characterization. I would look at the facts and then move forward from there. Q Well, does the President think this was the best thing for this White House, for Andy to leave at this time? MR. McCLELLAN: Ken, he expressed what his views were when it came to Andy. And now you're trying to get me to fall into this simplification that this town likes to do in terms of describing things. I wouldn't do that. Q Would it be fair to -- MR. McCLELLAN: I know, it's not that simple. But that's my point, Ken, it's not that simple. I'm trying to encourage you to look at the facts. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 4:49:00 AM  Press Briefing 03/23/06 — Thursday, March 23, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: Let me correct you a little bit, first of all. You say it's dragged on for three months. This is a new and emerging democracy. This is a country that has been under the brutal fist of a dictator for some three decades. So this is a country that is learning how to compromise, learning how to engage in politics through a democratic system, and really learning the habits of democracy. This is a new thing for the people of Iraq and so they're learning all those aspects. Remember, way back, three, four months ago, we said that after the elections take place, that they will move forward on putting a government in place, and that there would be a lot of political debate, there would be a lot of back-and-forth -- we're seeing that go on. But we also said that it's going to require some patience and that it will take some time. Now, I think in the aftermath of the sectarian strife that we've seen of recent weeks, the Iraqi leaders recognize the importance of coming together, setting aside their political differences, setting aside their religious or ethnic differences, and forming a government that represents all Iraqis. And they recognize the importance of moving forward as quickly as possible. That's what they're working to do. And we are continuing to urge them to move forward as quickly as possible, because as you move forward on the political process, it helps improve the security situation on the ground, as well. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 10:05:00 PM Press Gaggle 03/22/06 — Wednesday, March 22, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: He's traveling all around the country talking about important priorities. And there is no more important priority than winning the war on terrorism. And, of course, Iraq is central to that. But, you know -- Q Obviously, there is some thinking that goes into what locations he chooses to do that from, so what -- MR. McCLELLAN: He's also going around the country because he believes it's important to update the American people about the war on terrorism and about the situation in Iraq. And explain to them why it's so important that we win in Iraq, and the consequences of withdrawing before we achieve victory. Q I understand what he's trying to say; I'm asking about where he's saying it. MR. McCLELLAN: If there's anything else I'll -- I don't know of anything in particular, beyond the fact that he's traveling around the country doing that. But if there is, I'll check. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 5:44:00 PM Press Conference of the President 03/21/06 Q Mr. President, on immigration, yesterday you answered a question from a woman and said, the tough question here is what happens to somebody who has been here since 1987. Will you accept a bill that allows those who have been here a long time to remain in the country permanently -- THE PRESIDENT: I also said that -- let me make sure, Steve, that you -- first of all, I'm impressed that you're actually paying attention to it. The people I saw in the press pool weren't. They were, like, Elisabeth was half-asleep -- (laughter) -- yes, you were. (Laughter.) Q No, I wasn't. THE PRESIDENT: Okay. Well, the person next to you was. (Laughter.) They were dozing off. I could see them watching their watches, kind of wondering how long he's going to blow on for. Let's get him out of here so we can go get lunch, is what they were thinking. (Laughter.) So at least you paid attention. Thanks. I also went on to say that people who have been here need to get in line, like everybody else who is in line legally. My point is that if we were -- first of all, whatever is passed should not say "amnesty." In my judgment, amnesty would be the wrong course of action. We have a way toward legality, in terms of citizenship. In other words, there's a difference between someone who is here legally working and someone who is a citizen. And that's part of the -- I maybe didn't make that distinction perfectly clear. This is going to be a -- this could be a fractious debate, and I hope it's not. Immigration is a very difficult issue for a lot of members, as you know. It's an emotional issue. And it's one that, if not conducted properly, will send signals that I don't think will befit the nation's history and traditions. My view is, is that border security starts with a good, solid strategy along the border, itself -- in other words, Border Patrol agents, technology, the capacity to pass information quickly so that Border Patrol agents will be more likely to intercept somebody coming across the border illegally. There needs to be enforcement mechanisms that don't discourage the Border Patrol agents. They work hard, they get somebody coming in from country X; the person says, check back in with us in 30 days -- they don't. In other words, they end up in society. That has created some despondency -- not despondency -- it's got to discourage people who are working hard to do their job down there and realize the fruits of their labor is being undermined by a policy that, on the one hand, releases people, kind of, into society, and on the other, doesn't have enough beds to hold people so that we can repatriate them back to their countries. Chertoff has announced the fact that we're getting rid of this catch-and-release program. Thirdly, there has to be enforcement, employer enforcement of rules and regulations. The problem there, of course, is that people are showing up with forged documents. I mentioned this onion picker that I met yesterday -- onion grower -- who is worried about labor to pick his onions. But he's not -- I don't think he's in a position to be able to determine whether or not what looks like a valid Social Security card, or whatever they show, is valid or not -- which leads to the fact there's a whole industry that has sprung up around moving laborers to jobs that Americans won't do. It's kind of -- when you make something illegal that people want, there's a way around it, around the rules and regulations. And so you've got people, coyotes stuffing people in the back of 18-wheelers, or smuggling them across 105-degree desert heat. You've got forgers and tunnel-diggers. You've got a whole industry aimed at using people as a commodity. And it's wrong and it needs to be -- we need to do something about it. And the best way to do something about it is to say that if you're -- if an American won't do a job and you can find somebody who will do the job, they ought to be allowed to do it legally, on a temporary basis. One of the issues I did talk about -- the man asked me the question about, don't let people get ahead of the line. So I made that clear. But one of the issues is going to be to deal with somebody whose family has been here for a while, raised a family. And that will be an interesting -- interesting debate. My answer is, that person shouldn't get automatic citizenship. White House Press Corps | Press Conference | George W Bush >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 12:03:00 AM Press Briefing 03/17/06 — Sunday, March 19, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I'm just not familiar with that particular issue. I'll be glad to take a look into it, but there's probably -- it's probably not appropriate for us to be addressing it further. Q Well, all right. In the last two months, two former Iraqi officials have said Saddam moved weapons of mass destruction to Syria before the U.S. invasion. And now one of the documents released by the Pentagon yesterday, a letter by a member of Saddam's intelligence apparatus, ties him to al Qaeda and the Taliban before 9/11. All of this, and yet, the President does not talk about any of it with the American people. Question: With increasing information coming out of here on Iraq -- WMDs and Saddam's link to al Qaeda -- what does the Bush administration want the American people to believe about these two crucial issues? MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Les, first of all, the Director of National Intelligence has started putting out volumes of information and documents that were discovered in Iraq. And I think that that provides the public an opportunity to go and look, and they can make judgments for themselves in terms of some of the issues that you raise. But the one thing the President has talked about, as we approach the three-year anniversary of Operation -- the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom is that the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power was the right thing to do. This was a regime that was a destabilizing force in a troubled region of the world. This was a regime that had invaded its neighbors, that had a history of using weapons of mass destruction, that had a long history of defying the international community and failing to come into compliance with the demands of the international community. And one thing that tyrants around the world know is that we mean what we say, and when we say there are going to be consequences for such behavior, it's important that we follow through on that. The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution giving Saddam Hussein one last chance to come into compliance; he continued to defy the international community. He made the choice, and the world is better off with him removed from power. Q Just one more because -- MR. McCLELLAN: No, because you're making statements -- Q Just one more, just one more. MR. McCLELLAN: No more statements today. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 2:12:00 AM Press Briefing 03/16/06 — Thursday, March 16, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, I would just disagree with your assessment. First of all, preemption is a longstanding principle of American foreign -- Q It's not a long-standing principle with us. It's your principle. MR. McCLELLAN: Have you asked your question? Q It's a violation of international law. MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, let me back up, preemption is a longstanding principle of American foreign policy. It is also part -- Q It's never been. MR. McCLELLAN: It is also part of an inherent right to self-defense. But what we seek to do is to address issues diplomatically by working with our friends and allies, and working with regional partners. That's what we're doing when it comes to the threat posed by Iran pursuing nuclear weapons. That's what we're doing when it comes to resolving the nuclear issue with North Korea. So we seek diplomatic solutions to confront threats. And it's important what September 11th taught us -- Q The heavy emphasis of your paper today is war and preemptive war. MR. McCLELLAN: Can I finish responding to your question, because I think it's important to answer your question. It's a good question and it's a fair question. But first of all, are we supposed to wait until a threat fully materializes and then respond? September 11th -- Q Under international law you have to be attacked first. MR. McCLELLAN: Helen, you're not letting me respond to your question. You have the opportunity to ask your question, and I would like to be able to provide a response so that the American people can hear what our view is. This is not new in terms of our foreign policy. This has been a longstanding principle, the question that you bring up. But again, I'll put the question back to you. Are we supposed to wait until a threat fully materializes before we respond -- Q You had no threat from Iraq. MR. McCLELLAN: September 11th taught us -- Q That was not a threat from Iraq. MR. McCLELLAN: -- some important lessons. One important lesson it taught us was that we must confront threats before they fully materialize. That's why we are working to address the threats when it comes to nuclear issues involving Iran and North Korea. That's why we're pursuing diplomatic solutions to those efforts, by working with our friends and allies, by working with regional partners who understand the stakes involved and understand the consequences of failing to confront those threats early, before it's too late. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 10:09:00 PM Press Briefing 03/15/06 — Wednesday, March 15, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we are continuing to stay in contact with the parties in the region. We continue to urge calm and restraint. That's what we'll continue to do in the aftermath of yesterday. I think we expressed our views yesterday about that particular situation and the repeated concerns that we had expressed that the United States and the United Kingdom had expressed to the Palestinian Authority about the safety and security of our monitors there. So that issue was addressed yesterday. But the President is strongly committed to the two-state vision that he outlined, of Palestine and Israel living side-by-side in peace and security. And we want to continue working with all those who are partners in peace to get there. Now, Hamas has a decision that they need to make. They have a choice that they face. They have an opportunity to try to be a partner in peace. And to do that they have to answer the call of the Quartet, and the Quartet spelled out what they need to do. They need to renounce violence and terrorism, they need to recognize Israel's right to exist, and they need to disarm. And it spelled out some other things that -- other steps that Hamas needs to take. The President is looking for partners in peace that want to work toward the two-state vision. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 10:15:00 PM Press Briefing 03/13/06 — Tuesday, March 14, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: David, I don't know how many times we've been over all these issues. If you want to do a book review, that's your business. Q It's a pretty important question, it seems to me, instead of a flip answer. I think it's an important question. MR. McCLELLAN: It's not a flip answer. We've been over it many times and -- Q I'm not doing a book review; I'd like to get the President's view on a pretty serious account. MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you know, we've expressed that view very many times and if you want to continue to jump in here, that's your business. But he's expressed his views quite clearly, David, and you know that as well as anyone because you've heard it a number of times from leaders in this administration -- you've heard it from Secretary Rumsfeld, you've heard it from General Franks and you've heard it from others. Q Today is a new day, new information. I'd like to hear it again. That's appropriate -- MR. McCLELLAN: I haven't read the book, so I can't speak to what's in the book. Q Oh, okay, well, you didn't say that. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 1:42:00 AM Press Briefing 03/09/06 — Friday, March 10, 2006 — 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 >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 2:13:00 AM Press Briefing 03/07/06 — Tuesday, March 07, 2006 — MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we've previously talked about that. Senator DeWine has put forward some interesting ideas. We've made a commitment to work with congressional leaders on legislation that would codify into law what the President's authority is. The President has not only authority, but the responsibility to use every available tool at our disposal to save lives and prevent attacks from happening. And the terrorist surveillance program is what you're bringing -- Q He doesn't have the right to break the law. MR. McCLELLAN: -- the terrorist surveillance program is a critical tool that helps us to detect and prevent attacks from happening in the first place. It helps us to connect the dots so that we can save lives. And it is vital in our efforts to defend the American people and the save lives. And as you've heard from people like General Hayden, our number two person in the intelligence community, it has been a successful program and it has been an important program. Now, we have had discussions with congressional leaders -- Senator DeWine is one of them. There are a lot of interesting ideas out there. We said from the beginning that we are open to listening to ideas. The President -- the one thing the President said was that he would resist efforts if it compromised the program in any way, or undermined his authority to protect the American people. This is about protecting the American people. Now, we -- Q He doesn't have the authority to break the law. MR. McCLELLAN: -- we did make a commitment with leaders, like Senator DeWine and others, to work with them on legislation that would codify his authority into law. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 11:28:00 PM Press Briefing 03/06/06 Q Scott, while you were gone the Internet reported the President's statement to Bill Sammon: "I find it interesting that the old way of gathering news is slowly but surely" being - "losing market share. It is interesting to watch those media conglomerates try to deal with the realities of a new kind of world." And my question first: Considering this presidential statement, when can we expect that what he termed the old and market-losing media will have their reserved seats in the two front rows of this press room reassigned to the new media? MR. McCLELLAN: Boy, that's one I don't really want to open up right now. (Laughter.) I don't get into book promotions -- obviously, you do. But I do look forward to reading that one. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing | Scott McClellan >> Full Story
Posted by WhiteHousePressCorps.org @ 11:19:00 PM Press Briefing 03/03/06 — Friday, March 03, 2006 — ASSISTANT SECRETARY BOUCHER: Yes. White House Press Corps | Press Briefing >> Full Story
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