History > 2007 > USA > Politics > White House

George W. Bush (VII)

Lloyd Dangle        Troubletown        Cagle        14 December 2007

Bush:

I resolve to help economy,

restrain taxes

29 December 2007
USA Today

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) — President Bush tried Saturday to assure many families that he knows they are struggling to pay bills, even as he again defended the economy's strength.

"Some of you worry about your ability to afford health care coverage for your families," Bush said in his weekly radio address, recorded at his Texas ranch.

"Some of you are concerned about meeting your monthly mortgage payments," Bush said. "Some of you worry about the impact of rising energy costs on fueling your cars and heating your homes. You expect your elected leaders in Washington to address these pressures."

Bush said he and Congress recently came to terms on some ways to help, including an energy bill and a measure to help families avoid a tax hit when they refinance a mortgage.

But he also chided lawmakers again for slipping an estimated 9,800 pet projects, known in Washington lingo as earmarks, into a massive spending bill at the end of their session. Bush signed the bill this week.

"Among the earmarks Congress approved was one for a prison museum and another for a sailing school," Bush said. "In the last election, congressional leaders ran on a promise that they would reform earmarks. They made some progress, but not nearly enough."

Bush has asked his budget director to review what the White House can do about the special-project spending, although its options are limited. Meanwhile, in his final radio address of the year, the president spun the economic theme into a personal resolution.

"My resolution for the New Year is this: to work with Congress to keep our economy growing, to keep your tax burden low, and to ensure that the money you send to Washington is spent wisely — or not at all," Bush said.

As the economy has been battered by a mortgage crisis, a credit crunch and low consumer confidence, Bush has sought to show he is in touch with the typical family's concerns. He also has cited a range of indicators — such as export numbers and unemployment rates — to back up his view that the underlying economy is strong and resilient.

"Economic statistics are important indicators," Bush said. "Yet it is more important to remember that behind all these numbers are real people."

Democratic leaders suggest Bush has been in denial about the economy, offering an overly rosy portrait while many families deal with soaring costs.

Delivering the Democratic radio address, Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said that her party has delivered results for working families during its year in charge of Congress.

"We have a vision for strengthening the economy by supporting hard-working Americans and their families," she said. "We have fixed the alternative minimum tax to protect middle-class families, raised the minimum wage, and funded small business tax cuts to address the pressures of high fuel prices, increasing health care costs, and rising property taxes."

Bush is spending the final days of 2007 vacationing at his Texas ranch without any scheduled public appearances. He returns to Washington on New Year's Day.

    Bush: I resolve to help economy, restrain taxes, UT, 29.12.2007, http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-12-29-bush-address_N.htm

Bush signs child health program extension into law

Sat Dec 29, 2007
Reuters
11:43am EST

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Saturday signed into law a temporary extension of a popular health insurance program for children after months of deadlock with the Democratic-led Congress.

The legislation extends the program that covers about 6.6 million poor children through March 31, 2009, leaving decisions about renewal to the next president and Congress.

The legislation also provides a 0.5 percent increase for Medicare doctors for six months, delaying a scheduled 10 percent pay cut.

Bush twice vetoed more ambitious earlier bills that would have expanded the children's health program to cover about 10 million children in low and moderate income families, despite bipartisan support.

Bush and Democrats have been locked in a fight over budget and spending and the president said the previous bills were too costly and would push more children into government-run health care instead of private plans.

Bush also objected to raising tobacco taxes to pay for the proposed expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program known as SCHIP.

Democrats had hoped for a short-term extension so they could reopen the battle before the November 2008 presidential and congressional elections, but Republicans forced them to extend it through March 2009.

In his weekly radio address, Bush vowed to push for spending restraint and low taxes in his last year in office.

"My resolution for the New Year is this: to work with Congress to keep our economy growing, to keep your tax burden low, and to ensure that the money you send to Washington is spent wisely -- or not at all," Bush said.
 

(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Jackie Frank)

    Bush signs child health program extension into law, R, 29.12.2007, http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2951327120071229

Bush Faces Questions About C.I.A. Tapes

December 20, 2007
Filed at 11:41 a.m. ET
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New York Times

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Thursday he will reserve judgment on his administration's destruction of CIA interrogation tapes until several inquiries are finished. ''Let's wait and see what the facts are,'' Bush said.

The destruction in late 2005 of the tapes, showing harsh treatment of two terrorism suspects, is being investigated by the Justice Department, the CIA itself and by several congressional panels.

Bush stuck to the White House line that he personally did not know about either the existence of the tapes or their destruction until he was briefed earlier this month by CIA Director Michael Hayden.

''Sounds pretty clear to me when I say I have -- the first recollection is when Mike Hayden briefed me. That's pretty clear,'' Bush said.

Congressional Democrats condemned the destruction of the tapes and a federal judge ordered Justice Department lawyers to appear before him Friday to discuss whether destroying the tapes violated his 2005 order to preserve evidence in a lawsuit brought on behalf of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Bush said that he believed the ongoing investigations by his administration, ''coupled with oversight provided by the Congress, will end up enabling us all to find out what has happened.''

''Until these inquiries are complete, I will be rendering no opinion from the podium,'' he added.

Turning to domestic issues in a year-end news conference, Bush complained Congress had stuffed a spending bill with hundreds of projects he called wasteful and instructed his budget director to explore options for dealing with them.

Bush said that a $555 billion measure passed by Congress Wednesday night before breaking for the holidays contains some 9,800 so-called ''earmarks,'' or projects usually benefiting only one state or congressional district.

''So I am instructing Budget Director Jim Nussle to review options for dealing with the wasteful spending in the omnibus bill,'' Bush said.

However, without line-item veto powers, Bush's ability to block spending on specific projects appears limited. Presidential authority to strike, or veto, individual projects and other spending items from appropriations bills was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1998.

The president did praise Congress for sending him ''a spending bill to fund the day-to-day operations of the federal government. They passed this bill without raising taxes.'' But he complained that the measure was done so late in the year that it could slow the processing of tax returns to millions of Americans.

He said his administration would ''work hard to minimize'' such a delay.

Bush did not get specific when asked about proposals to stimulate the economy but said ''we'll consider all options.''

The Commerce Department reported Thursday that the economy sprinted ahead at its fastest pace in four years during the summer, although it is expected to limp through the final three months of this year as the housing and credit crises weigh on individuals and businesses alike.

''Like many Americans, I am concerned,'' Bush said. ''I am concerned about the fact that Americans see their costs going up. I know Americans are concerned about whether or not their neighbor may stay in their house. So we're dealing with these issues.''

Bush spoke cautiously about the state of democracy in Russia under President Vladimir Putin, who has tightened control of the courts and the media and maneuvered to retain power as his term ends. Putin has agreed to serve as prime minister if his protege, Dmitry Medvedev, is elected as president as expected.

Putin was just named Time magazine's ''Person of the Year'' for imposing stability that restored Russia as a world power.

''I presume they put him on there because he was a consequential leader,'' Bush said. ''And the fundamental question is, consequential to what end? What will the country look like 10 years from now? My hope, of course, is that Russia is a country that understands there needs to be checks and balances.''

Bush said he hasn't talked to Putin about his serving as prime minister. ''I think we better just watch and see,'' Bush said.

Turning to Iraq, where Bush's military buildup is generally agreed to have helped reduce violence on the ground both against U.S. forces and Iraqi citizens, Bush said work remains to be done, especially in terms of political improvements in the country.

''Are we satisfied with progress in Baghdad? No, but to say nothing is happening is not the case,'' Bush said. And while the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has come under considerable criticism from various quarters, ''There is a functioning government.''

Bush suggested that people were feeling better about their lives both in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though thousands of combat troops remain in both countries to provide security.

The president also:

-- Said his administration will join international efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, but that he will continue to oppose initiatives that would hamper U.S. economic growth. ''I take the issue seriously,'' Bush said about global warming. ''But I want to make sure that we're effective in what we do, and do not wreck our economy in whatever we do.''

-- Predicted that the GOP would win the White House in 2008 and regain seats in both the House and Senate. Bush said he wouldn't be dragged into the presidential race when asked about the comments of fellow GOP candidate Mike Huckabee, who criticized the administration's foreign policy as ''arrogant bunker mentality.'' He also said he would be ''very hesitant to support somebody who relied upon opinion polls and focus groups to define a way forward for a president,'' without identifying any such candidates by name.

-- Jokingly dismissed a question about former President Clinton's suggestion that if his wife Hillary Rodham Clinton were elected, she would send him and former President George H.W. Bush on a goodwill trip around the world. ''Well, 41 didn't think it's necessary,'' Bush said, referring to his father by the number of his presidency. ''Sounds like it's going to be a one-man trip.''

    Bush Faces Questions About C.I.A. Tapes, NYT, 20.12.2007, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bush.html?hp

Bush Appeals to Congress for Iraq Funds

December 16, 2007
Filed at 5:03 a.m. ET
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New York Times

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush appealed to Congress on Saturday to give him real cash for the war, not just a pledge to fund the troops.

''A congressional promise -- even if enacted -- does not pay the bills,'' Bush said in his weekly radio address. ''It is time for Congress to provide our troops with actual funding.''

The broadcast is the president's latest shot in a battle the White House is having with Congress over spending bills.

The Senate on Friday passed a defense policy bill for the 2008 budget year. It authorizes $696 billion in military spending, including $189 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it does not actually send any money to the Pentagon.

''Congress has had plenty of time to consider the emergency funds our troops need,'' Bush said. ''Time is running out, and Pentagon officials say that continued delay in funding our troops will soon begin to have a damaging impact on the operations of our military.

''Congress' responsibility is clear: They must deliver vital funds for our troops -- and they must do it before they leave for Christmas,'' Bush said.

Next week, Democrats are expected to let Senate Republicans attach tens of billions of dollars for the Iraq war to a $500 billion-plus government-wide spending bill. That move would be in exchange for GOP support on a huge spending measure that would fund the government.

The war money would not be tied to troop withdrawals, as Democrats want. But it would let Democrats wrap up their long-unfinished budget work and go on vacation before Christmas. It also would spare them from being criticized by Bush during the holiday recess for leaving work without providing money for the troops.

Without the money, the Defense Department said it would start delivering pink slips to thousands of civilians this month.

Congress passed just one spending bill before the end of the fiscal year in October, so most of the government is being run under a temporary continuing resolution.

Congressional negotiators are working to cut hundreds of federal programs, big and small, as they fashion the catchall government funding bill.

But while agreement with the White House remained elusive, negotiations went ahead on the assumptions that Democrats would largely accept Bush's strict budget for domestic programs and that he would ease up a bit if additional funding for Iraq is approved.

In the meantime, the House passed a bill to keep the federal government open for another week to give negotiators time to work on the omnibus spending bill, pass it in both the House and Senate and then adjourn for the year.

    Bush Appeals to Congress for Iraq Funds, NYT, 16.12.2007, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bush.html

Bush Troubled by Steroids in Baseball

December 14, 2007
Filed at 11:22 a.m. ET
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New York Times

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Friday that baseball players and owners must take seriously the Mitchell Report on steroid use, but cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the individuals named.

''My hope is that this report is a part of putting the steroid era of baseball behind us,'' he said, surrounded by Cabinet members in the Rose Garden.

Bush, who once owned the Texas Rangers, said, the Mitchell Report means that ''we can jump to this conclusion: that steroids have sullied the game.''

''The players and the owners must take the Mitchell Report seriously,'' Bush said. ''I'm confident they will.''

In a report issued Thursday, former Sen. George Mitchell linked 85 players to the illegal use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.

The 409-page report identified an array of players, from those who have had brief stints to prospective members of the Baseball Hall of Fame -- including seven MVPs, two Cy Young Award winners and 31 All-Stars.

Lawyers in baseball commissioner Bud Selig's office will have to determine whether any of the active players deserve punishment, a process that will spill into next year.

''I think it's best that all of us not jump to any conclusions on individual players named,'' Bush said.

As an intense fan of baseball, Bush seemed pained by the extent of the problem. He spoke about the issue in answer to a question from a reporter.

''I understand the impact that professional athletes can have on our nation's youth,'' he said. ''I just urge those in the public spotlight, particularly athletes, to understand that when they violate their bodies, they're sending a terrible signal to America's youth.''

Bush had called for a voluntary crackdown on steroids in his 2004 State of the Union address.

This August, Bush called to congratulate Barry Bonds when he broke the home run record. The president didn't weigh in on the steroids controversy surrounding the slugger's smashing of the vaunted major league record.

''There is a lot of speculation about Barry Bonds, and my only advice for people is to just let history be the judge,'' Bush said during a television interview. ''Let's find out the facts, and then everybody's opinion -- one way or the other -- will be verified or not verified.''

If it's later proven that a lot of Bonds' strength came from drug use, Bush said, there will be a lot of disappointed people.

''As you know, I'm a baseball fan -- I love the sport, I love the game,'' he said. ''I've been troubled by the steroid allegations.''

On Thursday, White House press secretary Dana Perino said Bush does not recall being aware of any steroid use during his time as a baseball executive. Pushed about whether Bush regrets being in the dark about that, Perino said: ''The president said he thought long and hard about it. He just does not recall hearing or seeing it. And I don't think it's time for regret. I think it's time to do what the president has done, which has been to take time in his State of the Union to shine a light on the issue. Now we have the result of a report that is getting a lot of attention, and deservedly so.''

    Bush Troubled by Steroids in Baseball, NYT, 14.12.2007, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bush-Mitchell-Report.html

Bush vetoes

children's health bill a second time

Wed Dec 12, 2007
6:11pm EST
Reuters
By Caren Bohan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Wednesday vetoed a bill expanding a popular children's health-care program for a second time, angering Democrats who are locked in a fight with the administration over the budget and spending.

Pushed by the Democratic-led Congress but also supported by many Republicans, the bill was aimed at providing health insurance to about 10 million children in low- and moderate-income families. Taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products would have been increased to pay for the aid.

Bush vetoed an earlier version of the bill in October but Congress quickly passed another one that included some changes but not enough to satisfy the White House concerns.

"Because the Congress has chosen to send me an essentially identical bill that has the same problems as the flawed bill I previously vetoed, I must veto this legislation too," Bush wrote in a message to the House of Representatives.

The fight between Congress and the White House over the health bill is one in a series of clashes over spending that have arisen this year.

Bush has said the funding level sought by the Democrats for the health program would have expanded it beyond its original intent of covering poor children and marked a step toward government-run health care.

Democrats say the additional money is needed to help families who cannot afford to buy private health insurance but who earn too much to qualify for the Medicaid health care program for the poor.

"This is indeed a sad action for him to take, because so many children in our country need access to quality health care," House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, told reporters.

The bill would have provided $60 billion in funding for the children's health program over five years, compared with the current $25 billion five-year funding level.

The tobacco tax increase would raise the levy on cigarettes by 61 cents to $1 per pack.

House Democratic leaders said they will not try to override the veto right away and would vote on a bill to ensure the more than six million kids now in the program can stay enrolled.
 

(Editing by Todd Eastham)

(Additional reporting by Donna Smith and Richard Cowan)

    Bush vetoes children's health bill a second time, R, 12.12.2007, http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSWBT00804920071212

Bush Says

U.S. Must Remain Vigilant on Iran

December 4, 2007
Filed at 1:07 p.m. ET
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New York Times

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush said Tuesday that the international community should continue to pressure Iran on its nuclear programs, asserting Tehran remains dangerous despite a new intelligence conclusion that it halted its development of a nuclear bomb four years ago.

''I view this report as a warning signal that they had the program, they halted the program,'' Bush said. ''The reason why it's a warning signal is they could restart it.''

Bush spoke one day after a new national intelligence estimate found that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003, largely because of international scrutiny and pressure. That finding is in stark contrast to the comparable intelligence estimate of just two years ago, when U.S. intelligence agencies believed Tehran was determined to develop a nuclear weapons capability and was continuing its weapons development program.

It is also stood in marked contrast to Bush's rhetoric on Iran. At his last news conference on Oct. 17, for instance, he said that people ''interested in avoiding World War III'' should be working to prevent Iran from having the knowledge needed to make a nuclear weapon.

Bush said Tuesday that he only learned of the new intelligence assessment last week. But he portrayed it as valuable ammunition against Tehran, not as a reason to lessen diplomatic pressure.

''To me, the NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) provides an opportunity for us to rally the international community -- to continue to rally the community -- to pressure the Iranian regime to suspend its program,'' the president said. ''What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program.''

He also asserted that the report means ''nothing's changed,'' focusing on the previous existence of a weapons program and not addressing the discrepancy between his rhetoric and the disclosure that weapons program has been frozen for four years.

Bush said he is not troubled about his standing, about perhaps facing a credibility gap with the American people. ''No, I'm feeling pretty spirited -- pretty good about life,'' Bush said.

''I have said Iran is dangerous, and the NIE doesn't do anything to change my opinion about the danger Iran poses to the world.''

Bush said the report's finding would not prompt him to take a U.S. military option against Tehran off the table.

''The best diplomacy -- effective diplomacy -- is one in which all options are on the table,'' he said.

The president also said that the world would agree with his message that Iran shouldn't be let off the hook yet.

In fact, Europeans said the new information strengthens their argument for negotiations with Tehran, but they also said that sanctions are still an option to compel Iran to be fully transparent about its nuclear program. European officials insisted that the international community should not walk away from years of talks with an often defiant Tehran that is openly enriching uranium for uncertain ends. The report said Iran could still build a nuclear bomb by 2010-2015.

In Kabul, Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates reinforced the U.S. position that the new U.S. intelligence assessment shows that Tehran remains a possible threat. He said it shows that Iran has had a nuclear weapons program and that as long as the country continues with its uranium enrichment activities, Iran could always renew its weapons program.

The U.S. intelligence assessment ''validated the administration's strategy of bringing diplomatic and economic efforts to bear on Iran,'' Gates said Tuesday, speaking at a news conference with Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai.

Bush called the news conference, his first in nearly seven weeks, to intensify pressure on lawmakers amid disputes over spending and the Iraq war. Taking advantage of his veto power and the largest bully pulpit in town, Bush regularly scolds Congress as a way to stay relevant and frame the debate as his presidency winds down.

Democrats counter that Bush is more interested in making statements than genuinely trying to negotiate some common ground with them.

Specifically, Bush again on Tuesday challenged Congress to send him overdue spending bills; to approve his latest war funding bill without conditions; to pass a temporary to fix to the alternative minimum tax so millions of taxpayers don't get hit with tax increases; and to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

''Congress still has a lot to do,'' Bush said. ''It doesn't have very much time to do it.''

On another matter, Bush was asked about a rape victim in Saudi Arabia who was sentenced to prison and 200 lashes for being alone with a man not related to her -- a violation of the kingdom's strict segregation of the sexes. Saudi Arabia has faced enormous international criticism about the sentencing.

''My first thoughts were these,'' Bush said. ''What happens if this happens to my daughter? How would I react? And I would have been -- I'd of been very emotional, of course. I'd have been angry at those who committed the crime. And I'd be angry at a state that didn't support the victim.''

Bush, however, said he has not made his views known directly to Saudi King Abdullah, an ally. But he added: ''He knows our position loud and clear.''

The president said the U.S. economy is strong, though he acknowledged that the housing crisis has become a ''headwind.'' He said administration officials are working on the issue, but he is wary of bailing out lenders. ''We shouldn't say, 'OK, you made a lousy loan so we're going to go ahead and subsidize you.' ''

Asked about the 2008 election, Bush steered himself back out of commenting on politics. ''I practiced some punditry in the past -- I'm not going to any further.''

On other issues, Bush said:

--''The Venezuelan people rejected one-man rule'' when they rejected a constitutional provision that would have enabled Hugo Chavez to remain in power for life and drive changes throughout Venezuelan society. ''They voted for democracy.''

--He talked by telephone Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and briefed him on the new Iran intelligence estimate. Bush also said he told Putin that ''we were sincere in our expressions of concern'' about irregularities in the voting that produced a sweeping parliamentary victory for Putin's party.

--He has ''cordial relations'' with Democratic leaders of Congress despite the sharp words between the White House and Capitol Hill. He blamed Democrats for the lack of compromises, saying, ''In order for us to be able to reach accord, they got to come with one voice, one position.''

    Bush Says U.S. Must Remain Vigilant on Iran, NYT, 4.12.2007, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bush.html

Text of President Bush's News Conference

December 4, 2007
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 1:27 p.m. ET

Text of President Bush on Tuesday, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions.

BUSH: Good morning.

I appreciate the fact that the United States Senate is going to take up the free trade agreement with Peru today. This agreement will level the playing field for American goods and services. It will create new opportunities for investment. It will strengthen our friendship with a fellow democracy.

The House of Representatives has passed this bill. I congratulate the House leadership. And I certainly hope the Senate will pass it as well. This will be a very positive step.

But Congress still has a lot to do, and it doesn't have very much time to do it.

Three weeks from today, Americans will celebrate Christmas and three groups of Americans are waiting on Congress to act.

The first group are the troops. Our troops are waiting on Congress to fund them in their operations overseas.

Nearly 10 months ago I submitted a detailed funding request. Congress has not acted.

Our men and women shouldn't have to wait any longer.

Second, our intelligence professionals are waiting for Congress to act. The legislation Congress approved earlier this year to make sure our intelligence professionals can continue to effectively monitor terrorist communications is set to expire in February. Allowing the law to lapse would open gaps in our intelligence and increase the danger to our country.

Intelligence professionals need these tools to keep our people safe. And they need Congress to ensure that these tools are not taken away.

Third, American taxpayers are waiting on Congress to act.

Congress has failed to pass legislation that will protect middle-class families from the burden of the alternative minimum tax.

If Congress doesn't act, millions of Americans will be hit with an unexpected tax bill. And even if Congress does act by the end of the year, this action could delay the delivery of about $75 billion worth of tax refund checks.

Congress expects Americans to pay their taxes on time, and the least the Congress can do is to make sure Americans get their refunds on time.

Americans also expect their tax dollars to be spent wisely. Yet today 11 of the 12 annual spending bills that fund the day-to-day operations of the federal government remain unfinished. And now, congressional leaders are talking about piling these bills into one monstrous piece of legislation which they will load up with billions of dollars in earmarks and wasteful spending.

Taxpayers deserve better. And if the Congress passes an irresponsible spending bill, I'm going to veto it.

The holidays are approaching, and the clock is ticking for the United States Congress. Based on the record so far, Americans could be forgiven for thinking that Santa will have slipped down their chimney on Christmas Eve before Congress finishes its work. Let's hope they're wrong.

And now, I'll be glad to answer some questions, starting with Terry Hunt.

Q: Mr. President, a new intelligence report says that Iran halted its nuclear weapons program four years ago and that it remains frozen. Are you still convinced that Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb? And do the new findings take the military option that you've talked about off the table?

BUSH: Here's what we know.

We know that they're still trying to learn how to enrich uranium.

We know that enriching uranium is an important step in a country whose desire it was to develop a weapon. We know they had a program. We know the program was halted.

I think it is very important for the international community to recognize the fact that if Iran were to develop the knowledge that they could transfer to a clandestine program, it would create a danger for the world.

And so, I view this report as a warning signal that they had the program, they halted the program.

And the reason why it's a warning signal is that they could restart it. And the thing that would make a restarted program effective and dangerous is the ability to enrich uranium, the knowledge of which could be passed on to a hidden program.

And so, it's -- to me, the NIE provides an opportunity for us to rally the international community or continue to rally the community to pressure the Iranian regime to suspend its program.

You know the NIE also said that such pressure was effective. And that's what our government has been explaining to, you know, our other partners in keeping the international pressure on Iran. The best diplomacy -- effective diplomacy is one in which all options are on the table.

Q: Mr. President, Iraq's WMD turned out not to be there. And now Iran halted its nuclear program in 2003. Are you concerned that the United States is losing credibility in the world and now may be seen as the boy who tried -- who called wolf?

BUSH: Actually, I am -- you know, I want to compliment the intelligence community for their good work.

Right after the failure of intelligence in Iraq, we reformed the intel community so that there was a lot of serious consideration of NIEs in a way that would give us confidence. And here's a -- I think, a very important product that is a result of the reforms we've put in place.

As a matter of fact, the American people should have confidence that the reforms are working and that this work on the intel community's important work.

Yes, it was -- how -- people said, Well, why is it that you can't get exact knowledge quicker? Well, the answer is because we're dealing with a regime that is not very transparent. And, frankly, we haven't had a very good presence in Iran since 1979.

And that's why I instructed the intel community to beef up its intelligence on Iran, so we could have better sense for what they're thinking and what they're doing. And this product is -- is a result of intelligence reform and, more importantly, the good hard work of our intelligence community.

One of the reasons why this is out in the public arena, is because I wanted -- and our administration believes -- that, one, it was important for people to know the facts as we see them.

Secondly, that, you know, members of my administration have been very clear about their weapons program earlier this year.

And, therefore, it's important for the American people to see that there's been a -- you know, a re-evaluation of the -- of the Iranian issue.

Q: Mr. President, thank you. I'd like to follow on that. When you talked about Iraq, you and others in the administration talked about a mushroom cloud. Then there were no WMD in Iraq.

When it came to Iran, you said in October -- on October 17th, you warned about the prospect of World War III, when, months before you made that statement, this intelligence about them suspending their weapons program back in '03 had already come to light to this administration.

So can't you be accused of hyping this threat? And don't you worry that that undermines U.S. credibility?

BUSH: I don't want to contradict an august reporter such as yourself, but I was made aware of the NIE last week.

In August, I think it was John -- Mike McConnell came in and said, We have some new information. He didn't tell me what the information was. He did tell me it was going to take a while to analyze. Why would you take time to analyze new information? One, you want to make sure it's not disinformation. You want to make sure the piece of intelligence you have is real.

BUSH: And secondly, they want to make sure they understand the intelligence they gathered. If they think it's real, then what does it mean?

And it wasn't until last week that I was briefed on the NIE that is now public.

And the second part of your question has to do with this: Look, Iran was dangerous. Iran is dangerous. And Iran will be dangerous if they have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.

The NIE says that Iran had a hidden -- you know, a covert nuclear weapons program. That's what it said.

What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program?

And the best way to ensure that -- that they're -- that the world is peaceful in the future, is for the international community to continue to work together to say to the Iranians, you know, We're going to isolate you. However, there is a better way forward for the Iranians.

Now, in 2003, the Iranian government began to come to the table in discussions with the E.U.-3, facilitated by the United States. As we said to the E.U.-3, We'll support your efforts to say to the Iranians, 'You have a choice to make: You can continue to do policy that will isolate you, or there's a better way forward.'

And so, that was the sticks-and-carrots approach. You might remember, the United States said at that point in time, `We'll put the WTO on the table for consideration, or we'll help you with spare parts for your airplanes.'

It was all an attempt to take advantage of what we thought was a more open-minded Iranian regime at the time -- a willingness of this regime to talk about a way forward.

And then the Iranians had elections. And Ahmadinejad announced that -- to the IAEA that he was going to -- this is after, by the way, the Iranians had suspended their enrichment program. He said, `We're going to stop the suspension. We'll start up the program again.'

And that's where we are today.

My point is is that there is a better way forward for the Iranians. There has been a moment during my presidency in which diplomacy provided a way forward for the Iranians. And, you know, our hope is we can get back on that path again.

But what is certain is that if Iran ever had the knowledge to develop a nuclear weapon and they passed that knowledge on to a covert program, which at one time in their history has existed, the world would be more dangerous. And now's the time for the international community to work together.

Q: President, thank you.

Just to follow, I understand what you're saying about when you were informed about the NIE.

Are you saying at no point while the rhetoric was escalating, as World War III was making it into conversation -- at no point, nobody from your intelligence team or your administration was saying, `Maybe you want to back it down a little bit?'

BUSH: No -- I've never -- nobody ever told me that.

Having said -- having -- having laid that out, I still feel strongly that Iran's a danger. Nothing's changed in this NIE that says, `OK, why don't we just stop worrying about it?' Quite the contrary.

I think the NIE makes it clear that Iran needs to be taken seriously as a threat to peace.

My opinion hasn't changed. And I just explained that if you want to avoid a really problematic situation in the Middle East, now is the time to continue to work together. That's our message to our allies, and it's an important message for them to hear.

And here's the reason why: In order for a nation to develop a nuclear weapons program, they must have the materials from which to make a bomb, the know-how on how to take that material and make it explode, and a delivery system.

Now, the Iranians -- the most difficult aspect of developing, you know, a weapons program, or, as some would say, the long pole in the tent, is enriching uranium.

This is a nation -- Iran is a nation that is testing ballistic missiles. And it is a nation that is trying to enrich uranium.

The NIE says this is a country that had a covert nuclear weapons program, which, by the way, they have failed to disclose even today. They have never admitted the program existed in the first place.

The danger is that they can enrich, play like they got a civilian program -- or have a civilian program or claim it's a civilian program -- and pass the knowledge to a covert military program.

And then the danger is, is at some point in the future, they show up with a weapon. And my comments are, now is the time to work together to prevent that scenario from taking place. It's in our interest.

Q: Mr. Bush, how can you nothing has changed? You may see it this way, but the rest of the world is going to see the lead as the fact that the nuclear weapons program was halted in 2003.

BUSH: Right.

Q: When you first saw this, weren't you angry? You didn't know about Syria. In 2005, you had the same assessment with high confidence that Iran currently is determined to develop nuclear weapons. And now, quite the opposite. How can you possibly think the rest of the world is going to continue, to the degree it did, to rally around you and your intelligence?

BUSH: Because many in the world understand that if Iran developed a nuclear weapon, the world would be a very dangerous place.

Secondly, many in the world are going to take heart in noting that it's diplomatic pressure that caused them to change their mind. And plenty of people understand that if they learn how to enrich, that knowledge can be transferred to a weapons program if Iran so chooses.

And I think this is a -- it's a -- to me it is a way for us to continue to rally our partners. It's why I'm working the phones, Condi Rice is working the phones, all of us are calling our partners. And I appreciate many of the comments that have come out of the capitals.

One thing is for certain: The NIE talks about how a carrot-and-stick approach can work. And this is heartening news to people who believe that, on the one hand, we should exert pressure, and on the other hand we should provide the Iranians a way forward.

And it was working until...

(CROSSTALK)

BUSH: ... until -- until Ahmadinejad came in. And our hope is that the Iranians will get diplomacy back on track.

Yes, ma'am?

Q: Why should you trust this intelligence since it's different from 2005? Why should you trust this any more?

BUSH: Well, I -- I'm -- without getting into sources and methods, I believe that the intelligence community has made a great discovery, and they've analyzed the discovery, and it's now a part of our government policy.

Toby, I apologize for getting immediately to the TV people. I should have -- it's bad protocol. I should have called on you.

Q: She went already.

BUSH: Oh, she already has called.

(CROSSTALK)

BUSH: I'm having such a good time, I forgot the past.

Q: You're just afraid I'll ask you another follow-up, which I won't (inaudible).

BUSH: No, but...

Q: OK, 2005...

(CROSSTALK)

(CROSSTALK)

Q: Thank you.

On another issue of credibility in the Mideast, at the Annapolis summit, you used your influence to get Saudi Arabia to the table. But I wonder whether now you will use your influence to do something about the Saudi rape case that's gotten so much international attention.

What goes through your mind when you hear about a 19-year-old Saudi woman get gang-raped by seven men and basically a Saudi court blames the victim and sentenced her to 200 lashes?

You spoke to King Abdullah by telephone in the last couple of weeks. Did you press him on this case? If so, what did you say? And if not, are you giving him a pass?

BUSH: My first thoughts were these.

What happens if this happened to my daughter? How would I react?

And I would have been -- I would have been -- I'd had -- I would have been very emotional, of course.

I'd have been angry at those who committed the crime. And I would be angry at the state that didn't support the victim. And our opinions were expressed by Dana Perino from the pulpit -- from the podium. And...

Q: Did you press King Abdullah about it personally?

BUSH: I talked to King Abdullah about the Middle Eastern peace. I don't remember if that subject came up.

Q: But if it's that important to you, why wouldn't you bring it -- at that level, bring it directly up to King Abdullah?

BUSH: (inaudible) plenty of time. He knows our position loud and clear.

Q: Maybe we could switch to the economy just for one second, Mr. President.

BUSH: Wait a minute. That's not a dis on (inaudible) is it?

Q: Not at all, sir.

BUSH: OK, well, they're not taking it that way, it doesn't look like.

Q: There's a lot of indications that people are increasingly concerned about the state of the economy, the outlook for the next couple of years.

Your administration is considering a plan to help people out with their mortgage payments, but I wonder if there's anything else beyond that that you've got in mind. If you could just give us your thoughts about all this.

BUSH: First of all, let me talk about the Paulson-Jackson initiative.

They're working with lenders, service industry people and investors to come up with a plan that would make it easier for qualified home buyers to stay in their homes. And I appreciate their efforts.

And that's an important part of what I'm about to say, and that is this.

First of all, the economy -- the basics in the economy are good. Inflation's low. Job creation's good. Interest rates are low. Productivity's up. Exports are up. In other words, the basic underpinnings of the economy are strong.

Secondly, we are, you know, addressing the current issues.

And homeownership is a current issue. And no question it's a headwind. It's part of why many people are saying that the economy is slowing down.

Thirdly, Secretary Paulson has worked with the private sector on a credit reassurance fund.

Fourthly, we have called consistently on Congress to pass measures that'll help keep the economy strong. And one -- such as the free trade agreement which I heralded today.

It's a signal that as you keep opening up markets, it'll help the psychology of the country. It's not going to be an immediate impact on Peru; I mean, it's not going to happen in the next month. But nevertheless, when the country is confident we'll continue to open up markets for goods and services, it should say that this is -- administration is aggressively pursuing pro-growth policies.

And the main thing we're going to do is make it clear that Congress is not going to raise taxes during a time when this economy is -- could be slowing down.

So I'm optimistic.

I recognize there's some serious issues: the credit crunch, as well as the home-building industry.

I am concerned about people who may -- you know, may not be able to stay in their homes. That's of concern to me and our administration. And that's why we're taking the action we're taking.

Q: Mr. President, good morning.

BUSH: Good morning. Thank you. I appreciate that; a little ray of sunshine here.

Q: We do what we can.

Sir, was the government too slow, in this case, to recognize the subprime mortgage problem? And what specific expects -- do you expect to see with the economy on the proposals that will be coming later this week?

BUSH: We've been working on this since August. And ours is a belief that, one, we shouldn't bail out lenders. And so, in other words, we shouldn't be using taxpayers' money to say, OK, you made a lousy loan, therefore we're going to subsidize you.

Secondly, that we recognize there's -- this is -- the home mortgage industry is a little more complex than in the past. In the old days, you know, you'd go to your local savings and loan, see, or your bank and get your home mortgage. And if you had a problem, you'd go back to the banker that loaned you the money and renegotiate if possible.

Now, what has happened, as you know, people have taken those mortgages and bundled them up as securities. And somebody else owns the mortgage. It's not the originating bank, it's somebody else owns the mortgage.

And so, Secretary Paulson is working with a more complex industry than we've had in the past.

And that's why it's taken a while. Because, not only do you have the lender, you now have a whole service industry that has arisen that'll hopefully help people stay in their homes -- that's their job.

But you've also got people all around the world who now own U.S. mortgages, invest -- you know, and assets that are U.S. mortgage -- bundles of U.S. mortgages.

And so it's a complex assignment. I'm pleased with the work the secretary's doing -- both secretaries are doing. I think they're making pretty good progress.

Q: To go back to Iran for a minute, the Nonproliferation Treaty doesn't prohibit a country like Iran from having the knowledge to enrich uranium. Are you setting a different standard in this case (inaudible) a different international obligation on Iran? Is that going to complicate the effort to keep the pressure on when it comes to sanctions at the United Nations?

BUSH: The problem that most of the world has seen in Iran stems from the fact that they hid their program. That's what the NIE says.

The '68 agreement that Iran signed contemplated full transparency and openness. They didn't contemplate a regime that would have a covert nuclear weapons program.

All the more reason for the international community to continue to work together.

You know, somebody hid their program once, they could hide it again. If somebody, you know, defied the agreement that they signed -- the codicils of the agreement they signed, they could do it again.

And most of the world understands that Iran with a nuclear weapon would be a serious danger to peace.

BUSH: And therefore, now is the time to work together to convince them to suspend their program.

People say, `Would you ever talk to Iran?'

For you veterans here, for those who have been following this administration for a while, you might remember that I have consistently said that we will be at the table with the E.U.-3 if Iran would verifiably suspend their program. And the offer still stands.

What changed was the change of leadership in Iran. We had a diplomatic track going and Ahmadinejad came along and took a different tone.

And the Iranian people must understand that the tone and actions of their government are that which is isolating them.

There's a better way forward for Iran. There's a better way forward for the Iranian people than one in which they find themselves isolated in the world.

Their economy can be stronger.

But their leadership is going to have to understand that defiance and hiding programs and defying IAEA is -- is not the way forward.

And my hope is, is that, you know, the Iranian regime takes a look at their policies and changes their policies back to where we were prior to the election of Ahmadinejad, which was a hopeful period.

They had suspended their program. They were at the table. The United States has made some very positive gestures to convince them that there was a better way forward. And hopefully we can get back to that day.

Q: Mr. President, thank you. I'd like to ask for one clarification and one question.

BUSH: Sure. It depends on what the clarification is, but...

Q: The clarification is, are you saying that this NIE will not lead to a change in U.S. policy toward Iran or a shift in focus?

BUSH: I'm saying that I believed before the NIE that Iran was dangerous and I believe after the NIE that Iran is dangerous. And I believe now is the time for the world to do the hard work necessary to convince the Iranians there is a better way forward.

And I say hard work, here's why it's hard.

One, many companies are fearful of losing market share in Iran to another company. It's one thing to get governments to speak out. It's another thing to convince private sector concerns that it's in our collective interests to pressure the Iranian regime economically.

So I spent a fair amount of time trying to convince my counterparts that they need to convince their private sector folks that it is in their interests, and for the sake of peace, that there be a common effort to convince the Iranians to change their ways, and that there's a better way forward.

So our policy remains the same. I see a danger. And many in the world see the same danger. This report is not a `OK, everybody needs to relax and quit report.'

This is a report that says what has happened in the past could be repeated and that the policies used to cause the regime to halt are effective policies, and let's keep them up; let's continue to work together.

Question, please.

Q: What does the vote in Venezuela mean for the U.S.? Obviously, this is a major loss for Hugo Chavez, a leader who has repeatedly referred to you as the devil. Before his effort for this never-ending terms in office, he told a crowd, confidently, quote, `Anyone who votes no is voting for George W. Bush. Our true enemy is the U.S. empire, and on Sunday, December 2nd, we're going to give another knockout to Bush.'

What's your reaction to Chavez' opponents winning?

BUSH: The Venezuelan people rejected one-man rule. They voted for democracy. And the United States can make a difference in South America in terms of Venezuelan influence, and here's how: The Congress can pass a free trade agreement with Colombia.

People say, Well, how does that affect U.S.-Venezuelan relations or the relations of Venezuela in South America with other countries? And here's how.

And I like to quote Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He said the biggest fear in South America is not the leader in Venezuela, but the biggest fear for stability is if the United States Congress rejects the free trade agreement with Colombia.

It would be a -- it would be an insult to a friend. It would send a contradictory message to a country led by a very strong leader, who is working hard to, you know, deal with some very difficult problems, one of which is armed, you know, gangs of people that are ruthless and brutal. They have people just kidnap innocent people for the sake of achieving political objectives.

And so, a vote for democracy took place; a very strong vote for democracy. And the United States policy can help promote democracies and stability. And again, I'm going to repeat to you, if the Congress does not pass the free trade agreement at Colombia, it will be a destabilizing moment.

Q: Yes, sir. Thank you very much. This morning you spoke for apparently about 40 minutes with President Putin. I was wondering if you could shed a little light on what you talked about. Specifically, did you ask him to not go ahead with the sale of uranium or the (inaudible)?

BUSH: I'm not going to get into the specifics of conversations I have with any world leader. Otherwise, the next time I have a phone call, it might be a short one.

Q: Do you have a message...

BUSH: But I'll be glad to talk about the themes.

Q: Please do.

BUSH: I don't like -- I don't particularly like when people read out my phone calls with them. Sometimes the words get mischaracterized. Sometimes, you know, what I say might not be exact -- what they say I said might not be exactly what I said.

But we did spend a lot of time on the Iranian issue. And one of the interesting tactical decisions that Russia has made that the United States supports is the notion that Iran has a sovereign right to have a civilian nuclear power program. What they don't have is our confidence that they should be able to enrich uranium so that those plants would work.

Why? Because they had a covert weapons program that they did not declare and have yet to declare.

Secondly, we understand that if they were to develop that weapons program, it would be a real danger.

And so, the Russians said, `Well, would you support us on this notion, that because they're untrustworthy when it comes to the fuel cycle, we will provide the fuel, and we will collect the spent fuel?'

And I have publicly -- I'll say it again. And we discussed this part of our strategy.

Secondly, I explained to him the content of the NIE -- what it meant and how our working together has been effective.

And thirdly, we talked about ongoing efforts to come up with another U.N. Security Council resolution if the Iranian regime doesn't suspend.

Q: So did the elections come up, sir, the...

BUSH: They did.

Q: ... the Russian elections?

BUSH: They did. And I said we were sincere in our expressions of concern about the elections.

Q: A question on the upcoming elections that doesn't require you...

BUSH: Which ones would those be?

Q: The ones that begin in January...

BUSH: Ah, of course.

Q: ... that does not require you to take any -- to take sides.

What is your feeling, right now, about the tone of the campaign, and in particular, on the Republican side, some of the talk on immigration?

BUSH: For the next three months, you and your august colleagues will try to get me to be pundit in chief. And unfortunately, I practiced some punditry in the past. I'm not going to any further.

I know. I know it's just...

Q: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: I'm a...

(CROSSTALK)

BUSH: You can ask another question.

I really am going to -- look, we got -- it's hard to believe that we're a month away from the Iowa caucuses, and it's going to get intense. And elections are intense. They're intense experiences. They're intense on both sides.

It's the first time in a long time that both parties haven't had, you know, kind of a -- a clear nominee. And it's going to be -- it's going to be interesting to watch.

Q: Do you miss it?

BUSH: Yes, I miss the campaigning. I like campaigning, you know. And if somebody ever says they don't like campaigning, they're not telling you -- either that or they're a lousy candidate. I mean, it's fun. I enjoy it. I enjoy the crowds. I enjoy the noise. I enjoy giving that message. I enjoy the competition. And, yes, I'm going to miss it.

On the other hand, what I'm not going to miss is what we all -- some of us went through in 2000, which was getting on an airplane and having my friend Candy Crowley pass a virus around and...

I got a respiratory infection. So did half the press corps. They got off the plane; I didn't get to get off the plane. And it was tough. It was a tough -- it was a touch experience.

Well, look, I'm not dissing Candy. I said my friend. That's going to happen to the best of them, you know?

Yes?

Q: I get another one.

This is a good deal. Can you tell us whether you think your personal relationship with the Democratic leaders in Congress has had a negative impact on your ability to get your legislation through, and how important is that personal relationship?

BUSH: I've got cordial relations with the leaders when I talk to them. I saw Speaker Pelosi last night at the Congressional ball at the White House. And we have very cordial relations.

Here's -- Congress -- the Democrats in Congress, in the House and the Senate, need to work out their differences before they come to the White House.

You can imagine what it's like to, you know, try to deal on an important piece of legislation and the Democrats in the House have one opinion and the Democrats in the Senate have another opinion. FISA's a good example.

And in order for us to be able to reach accord, they got to come with one voice, one position. And it's -- nobody -- the most disappointing thing about Washington has been the name calling. And, you know, this kind of -- people go out in front of the mikes and they just kind of unleash. And I've tried hard not to do that. I've tried to be respectful to all parties.

And that's disappointing. On the other hand, I'm -- you know, I think we can get some things done. The Peruvian trade vote is one as an example.

And -- but the Congress needs to get their differences sorted. One of the worst ways to negotiate is to negotiate with one group, they pocket your negotiations, then another group shows up and says, `Well, you said this to them. Now give us this.'

And hopefully, as we come down the stretch here, that they're capable of coming forward with, `Here's what we believe, here's our plan, here's what we would like you to consider,' as opposed to some examples, which is passing legislation for the sake of the headline as opposed to passing legislation to get it passed.

And SCHIP is a classic example. They knew I was going to veto the bill. They knew that was going to happen. They knew the veto would be sustained. But they ate up valuable time and passed the bill anyway.

And so we sit here in the White House trying to figure out why. Why would you waste time?

Why wouldn't you sit down and try to seriously negotiate an agreement on a bill that they knew was going to get vetoed and sustained?

Hopefully in the next however long they intend to stay here, that we're capable of, you know, working together. But if not, I'm going to stand strong for certain principles.

One of which is to make sure our troops get funded. We've got men and women in combat. We've got people risking their lives for the United States of America. And this Congress has yet to fund them. And it needs to.

And it needs to fund them without telling our military how to conduct this war. You know, arbitrary dates for withdrawal are unacceptable, particularly given the fact that the strategy is working. It's working. And it seems like to me that this Congress ought to be congratulating our military commanders and our troops.

And one way to send a congratulatory message is to give them the funds they need. And now is the time to do it.

Q: Thank you, Mr. President.

I may want to apologize in advance, because...

BUSH: Please do.

Q: ... I can't help but read your body language this morning, Mr. President. You seem somehow dispirited.

Q: Somewhat dispirited.

BUSH: I think you need to apologize for advance (inaudible).

This is like -- like all of the sudden it's like Psychology 101, you know.

Q: The question related to that, sir, is twice now, on Iran and Iraq, the facts have failed you on things that you've been outspoken on telling the American people. Senator Harry Reid is saying on the war spending issue that ''the president is not leveling with the American people.''

BUSH: On the war spending issue?

Q: Yes.

Are you, in fact, troubled by...

BUSH: Why don't you clarify that for me?

What aspect of it? That I don't think we ought to fund the troops?

Q: No, sir.

BUSH: I think we need to fund the troops. I submitted a supplemental last February.

Anyway...

Q: My question, sir, is are you feeling troubled about your standing here today about perhaps facing a credibility gap with the American people?

BUSH: No. I'm feeling pretty spirited -- pretty good about life. And I made the decision to come before you so I could explain the NIE. And I have said Iran is dangerous. And the NIE doesn't do anything to change my opinion about the danger Iran poses to the world. Quite the contrary. I'm using this NIE as an opportunity to continue to rally our colleagues and allies.

It makes -- it makes it...

(CROSSTALK)

BUSH: The NIE makes it clear that the strategy we have used in the past is effective.

And the reason why we need to make sure that strategy goes forward for the future is because, if Iran shows up with a nuclear weapon, at some point in time, the world's going to say, `What happened to them in 2007? How come they couldn't see the impending danger? What caused them not to understand that a country that once had a weapons program could reconstitute the weapons program?'

How come they couldn't see that the important first step in developing a weapon is the capacity to be able to enrich uranium? How come they didn't know that with that capacity, that knowledge could be passed on to a covert program? What blinded them to the realities of the world?

And it's not going to happen on my watch. And so, you know, kind of Psychology 101 ain't working. It's just not working, you know?

I am -- I understand the issues, I clearly see the problems, and I'm going to use the NIE to continue to rally the international community for the sake of peace.

Thank you very much.

Text of President Bush's News Conference, NYT, 4.12.2007, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Bush-Text.html

    Related > http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071204-4.html