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State of the Union - January 2004 [1]
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Communications, White House Office of
Bartlett, Daniel (Dan)
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25
24
9
2
1796
14731
3080
3215
Folder Title:
State of the Union, January 2004
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001
Handwritten Note
[Notes]
1
N.D.
P5;
002
Speech
State of the Union [page 14]
1
01/20/2004
P6/b6;
COLLECTION TITLE:
Communications, White House Office of
SERIES:
Bartlett, Daniel (Dan)
FOLDER TITLE:
State of the Union - January 2004 [1]
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Bartlett, Daniel (Dan)
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State of the Union - January 2004 [1]
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Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
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b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
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an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
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financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
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P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
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purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
2201(3).
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
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concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
A. Closed by Executive Order 13526 governing access to national
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commemorative
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1
SOTU
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS TO THE 108ᵀᴴ CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
President George W. Bush
JANUARY 20,2004 . WASHINGTON, DC
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
JANUARY 20, 2004
As prepared for delivery.
Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress, distinguished
guests, and fellow citizens:
America this evening is a Nation called to great responsibilities. And we are
rising to meet them.
As we gather tonight, hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and
women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to
the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more
secure.
Each day, law enforcement personnel and intelligence officers are tracking
terrorist threats; analysts are examining airline passenger lists; the men and
women of our new Homeland Security Department are patrolling our coasts and
borders. And their vigilance is protecting America.
Americans are proving once again to be the hardest working people in the
world. The American economy is growing stronger. The tax relief you passed is
working.
Tonight, Members of Congress can take pride in great works of compassion
and reform that skeptics had thought impossible. You are raising the standards of
our public schools; and you are giving our senior citizens prescription drug cov-
erage under Medicare.
We have faced serious challenges together - and now we face a choice. We
can go forward with confidence and resolve - or we can turn back to the danger-
ous illusion that terrorists are not plotting and outlaw regimes are no threat to us.
We can press on with economic growth, and reforms in education and Medicare
- or we can turn back to the old policies and old divisions.
We have not come all this way - through tragedy, and trial, and war - only
to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of his-
tory, and they expect the same of us. In their efforts, their enterprise, and their
character, the American people are showing that the state of our Union is confi-
dent and strong.
Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people.
Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11th, 2001 - over two years
1
without an attack on American soil - and it is tempting to believe that the danger
supporters. Men who ran away from our troops in battle are now dispersed and
is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting - and false. The killing has
attack from the shadows.
continued in Bali, Jakarta, Casablanca, Riyadh, Mombassa, Jerusalem, Istanbul,
These killers, joined by foreign terrorists, are a serious, continuing danger.
and Baghdad. The terrorists continue to plot against America and the civilized
Yet we are making progress against them. The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was
world. And by our will and courage, this danger will be defeated.
found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55 officials of the former
Inside the United States, where the war began, we must continue to give
regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the offensive, leading
homeland security and law enforcement personnel every tool they need to defend
over 1,600 patrols a day, and conducting an average of 180 raids every week. We
us. And one of those essential tools is the PATRIOT Act, which allows Federal law
are dealing with these thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam
enforcement to better share information, to track terrorists, to disrupt their cells,
Hussein's evil regime.
and to seize their assets. For years, we have used similar provisions to catch
The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has
embezzlers and drug traffickers. If these methods are good for hunting criminals,
always been willing to do what it takes for what is right. Last January, Iraq's only
they are even more important for hunting terrorists. Key provisions of the
law was the whim of one brutal man. Today our coalition is working with the
PATRIOT Act are set to expire next year. The terrorist threat will not expire on
Iraqi Governing Council to draft a basic law, with a bill of rights. We are working
that schedule. Our law enforcement needs this vital legislation to protect our cit-
with Iraqis and the United Nations to prepare for a transition to full Iraqi sover-
izens - you need to renew the PATRIOT Act.
eignty by the end of June. As democracy takes hold in Iraq, the enemies of free-
America is on the offensive against the terrorists who started this war. Last
dom will do all in their power to spread violence and fear. They are trying to
March, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a mastermind of September 11th, awoke to
shake the will of our country and our friends - but the United States of America
find himself in the custody of U.S. and Pakistani authorities. Last August 11th
will never be intimidated by thugs and assassins. The killers will fail, and the Iraqi
brought the capture of the terrorist Hambali, who was a key player in the attack
people will live in freedom.
in Indonesia that killed over 200 people. We are tracking al-Qaida around the
Month by month, Iraqis are assuming more responsibility for their own
world - and nearly two-thirds of their known leaders have now been captured or
security and their own future. And tonight we are honored to welcome one of
killed. Thousands of very skilled and determined military personnel are on a
Iraq's most respected leaders: the current President of the Iraqi Governing
manhunt, going after the remaining killers who hide in cities and caves - and, one
Council, Adnan Pachachi. Sir, America stands with you and the Iraqi people as
by one, we will bring the terrorists to justice.
you build a free and peaceful nation.
As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes
Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the
that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical,
better. Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily pledged to disclose and dis-
or biological weapons. The United States and our allies are determined: We
mantle all of his regime's weapons of mass destruction programs, including a ura-
refuse to live in the shadow of this ultimate danger.
nium enrichment project for nuclear weapons. Colonel Qadhafi correctly judged
The first to see our determination were the Taliban, who made Afghanistan
that his country would be better off, and far more secure, without weapons of
the primary training base of al-Qaida killers. As of this month, that country has
mass murder. Nine months of intense negotiations involving the United States
a new constitution, guaranteeing free elections and full participation by women.
and Great Britain succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did
Businesses are opening, health care centers are being established, and the boys and
not. And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be cred-
girls of Afghanistan are back in school. With help from the new Afghan Army, our
ible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.
coalition is leading aggressive raids against surviving members of the Taliban and
Different threats require different strategies. Along with nations in the
al-Qaida. The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free,
region, we are insisting that North Korea eliminate its nuclear program. America
and proud, and fighting terror - and America is honored to be their friend.
and the international community are demanding that Iran meet its commitments
Since we last met in this chamber, combat forces of the United States, Great
and not develop nuclear weapons. America is committed to keeping the world's
Britain, Australia, Poland, and other countries enforced the demands of the
most dangerous weapons out of the hands of the world's most dangerous regimes.
United Nations, ended the rule of Saddam Hussein - and the people of Iraq are
When I came to this rostrum on September 20th, 2001, I brought the police
free. Having broken the Baathist regime, we face a remnant of violent Saddam
shield of a fallen officer, my reminder of lives that ended, and a task that does not
2
3
end. I gave to you and to all Americans my complete commitment to securing our
other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we
country and defeating our enemies. And this pledge, given by one, has been kept
must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss
by many. You in the Congress have provided the resources for our defense, and
their sacrifices. From the beginning, America has sought international support
cast the difficult votes of war and peace. Our closest allies have been unwavering.
for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There
America's intelligence personnel and diplomats have been skilled and tireless.
is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submit-
And the men and women of the American military - they have taken the
ting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend
hardest duty. We have seen their skill and courage in armored charges, and mid-
the security of our people.
night raids, and lonely hours on faithful watch. We have seen the joy when they
We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle
return, and felt the sorrow when one is lost. I have had the honor of meeting our
East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that
servicemen and women at many posts, from the deck of a carrier in the Pacific, to
whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-govern-
a mess hall in Baghdad. Many of our troops are listening tonight. And I want you
ment. I believe that God has planted in every heart the desire to live in freedom.
and your families to know: America is proud of you. And my Administration,
And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again.
and this Congress, will give you the resources you need to fight and win the war
As long as the Middle East remains a place of tyranny, despair, and anger, it
on terror.
will continue to produce men and movements that threaten the safety of America
I know that some people question if America is really in a war at all. They
and our friends. So America is pursuing a forward strategy of freedom in the
view terrorism more as a crime - a problem to be solved mainly with law enforce-
greater Middle East. We will challenge the enemies of reform, confront the allies
ment and indictments. After the World Trade Center was first attacked in 1993,
of terror, and expect a higher standard from our friends. To cut through the bar-
some of the guilty were indicted, tried, convicted, and sent to prison. But the mat-
riers of hateful propaganda, the Voice of America and other broadcast services
ter was not settled. The terrorists were still training and plotting in other nations,
are expanding their programming in Arabic and Persian - and soon, a new tele-
and drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September
vision service will begin providing reliable news and information across the
11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and
region. I will send you a proposal to double the budget of the National
their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got.
Endowment for Democracy, and to focus its new work on the development of
Some in this chamber, and in our country, did not support the liberation of
free elections, free markets, free press, and free labor unions in the Middle East.
Iraq. Objections to war often come from principled motives. But let us be can-
And above all, we will finish the historic work of democracy in Afghanistan and
did about the consequences of leaving Saddam Hussein in power. We are seeking
Iraq, so those nations can light the way for others, and help transform a troubled
all the facts - already the Kay Report identified dozens of weapons of mass
part of the world.
destruction-related program activities and significant amounts of equipment that
America is a Nation with a mission - and that mission comes from our most
Iraq concealed from the United Nations. Had we failed to act, the dictator's
basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is
weapons of mass destruction programs would continue to this day. Had we failed
a democratic peace - a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man
to act, Security Council resolutions on Iraq would have been revealed as empty
and woman. America acts in this cause with friends and allies at our side, yet we
threats, weakening the United Nations and encouraging defiance by dictators
understand our special calling: This great Republic will lead the cause of freedom.
around the world. Iraq's torture chambers would still be filled with victims - ter-
In these last three years, adversity has also revealed the fundamental
rified and innocent. The killing fields of Iraq - where hundreds of thousands of
strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession, and terror-
men, women, and children vanished into the sands - would still be known only to
ist attack, and corporate scandals, and the uncertainties of war. And because you
the killers. For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam
acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief, this economy is strong, and grow-
Hussein's regime is a better and safer place.
ing stronger.
Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This
You have doubled the child tax credit from 500 to a thousand dollars,
particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan,
reduced the marriage penalty, begun to phase out the death tax, reduced taxes on
South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary,
capital gains and stock dividends, cut taxes on small businesses, and you have low-
Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands, Norway, El Salvador, and the 17
ered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.
4
5
Americans took those dollars and put them to work, driving this economy
propose increasing our support for America's fine community colleges, so they
forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest
can train workers for the industries that are creating the most new jobs. By all
in nearly 20 years. New home construction: the highest in almost 20 years. Home
these actions, we will help more and more Americans to join in the growing pros-
ownership rates: the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation
perity of our country.
is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high. And jobs
Job training is important, and so is job creation. We must continue to pur-
are on the rise.
sue an aggressive, pro-growth economic agenda.
These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far
Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reduc-
better than government would have - and you were right to return it.
tions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act, the unfair tax on marriage will
America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology
go back up. Unless you act, millions of families will be charged 300 dollars more
transforms the way almost every job is done, America becomes more productive,
in Federal taxes for every child. Unless you act, small businesses will pay higher
and workers need new skills. Much of our job growth will be found in high-
taxes. Unless you act, the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you
skilled fields like health care and biotechnology. So we must respond by helping
act, Americans face a tax increase. What the Congress has given, the Congress
more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in our new economy.
should not take away: For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should
All skills begin with the basics of reading and math, which are supposed
be permanent.
to be learned in the early grades of our schools. Yet for too long, for too many
Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and
children, those skills were never mastered. By passing the No Child Left Behind
employees with relief from needless Federal regulation, and protect them from
Act, you have made the expectation of literacy the law of our country. We are
junk and frivolous lawsuits. Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of
providing more funding for our schools - a 36 percent increase since 2001. We
energy to make our economy run - so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize
are requiring higher standards. We are regularly testing every child on the fun-
our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent
damentals. We are reporting results to parents, and making sure they have bet-
on foreign sources of energy. My Administration is promoting free and fair trade,
ter options when schools are not performing. We are making progress toward
to open up new markets for America's entrepreneurs, and manufacturers, and
excellence for every child.
farmers, and to create jobs for America's workers. Younger workers should have
But the status quo always has defenders. Some want to undermine the No
the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in
Child Left Behind Act by weakening standards and accountability. Yet the results
a personal retirement account. We should make the Social Security system a
we require are really a matter of common sense: We expect third graders to read
source of ownership for the American people.
and do math at third grade level - and that is not asking too much. Testing is the
And we should limit the burden of government on this economy by acting
only way to identify and help students who are falling behind.
as good stewards of taxpayer dollars. In two weeks, I will send you a budget that
This Nation will not go back to the days of simply shuffling children along
funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important domestic needs,
from grade to grade without them learning the basics. I refuse to give up on any
while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than four percent.
child - and the No Child Left Behind Act is opening the door of opportunity to
This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be
all of America's children.
wise with the people's money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit in half over the
At the same time, we must ensure that older students and adults can gain
next five years.
the skills they need to find work now. Many of the fastest-growing occupations
Tonight I also ask you to reform our immigration laws, so they reflect our
require strong math and science preparation, and training beyond the high
values and benefit our economy. I propose a new temporary worker program to
school level. So tonight I propose a series of measures called Jobs for the 21st
match willing foreign workers with willing employers, when no Americans can be
Century. This program will provide extra help to middle- and high school stu-
found to fill the job. This reform will be good for our economy - because employ-
dents who fall behind in reading and math, expand Advanced Placement pro-
ers will find needed workers in an honest and orderly system. A temporary work-
grams in low-income schools, and invite math and science professionals from the
er program will help protect our homeland - allowing border patrol and law
private sector to teach part-time in our high schools. I propose larger Pell Grants
enforcement to focus on true threats to our national security. I oppose amnesty,
for students who prepare for college with demanding courses in high school. I
because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those
6
7
who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship
wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. And tonight I propose that individuals
path for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men
who buy catastrophic health care coverage, as part of our new health savings
and women out from the shadows of American life.
accounts, be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from their taxes.
Our Nation's health care system, like our economy, is also in a time of
A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By keeping
change. Amazing medical technologies are improving and saving lives. This dra-
costs under control, expanding access, and helping more Americans afford cover-
matic progress has brought its own challenge, in the rising costs of medical care
age, we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health
and health insurance. Members of Congress, we must work together to help con-
care the best in the world.
trol those costs and extend the benefits of modern medicine throughout our
We are living in a time of great change - in our world, in our economy, and
country.
in science and medicine. Yet some things endure - courage and compassion, rev-
Meeting these goals requires bipartisan effort - and two months ago, you
erence and integrity, respect for differences of faith and race. The values we try to
showed the way. By strengthening Medicare and adding a prescription drug ben-
live by never change. And they are instilled in us by fundamental institutions,
efit, you kept a basic commitment to our seniors: You are giving them the mod-
such as families, and schools, and religious congregations. These institutions - the
ern medicine they deserve.
unseen pillars of civilization - must remain strong in America, and we will defend
Starting this year, under the law you passed, seniors can choose to receive a
them.
drug discount card, saving them 10 to 25 percent off the retail price of most pre-
We must stand with our families to help them raise healthy, responsible chil-
scription drugs - and millions of low-income seniors can get an additional 600
dren. And when it comes to helping children make right choices, there is work for
dollars to buy medicine. Beginning next year, seniors will have new coverage for
all of us to do.
preventive screenings against diabetes and heart disease, and seniors just entering
One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and
Medicare can receive wellness exams.
futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem, with
In January of 2006, seniors can get prescription drug coverage under
aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug use in high school
Medicare. For a monthly premium of about 35 dollars, most seniors who do not
has declined by 11 percent over the past two years. Four hundred thousand fewer
have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in half.
young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001. In my budget, I have
Under this reform, senior citizens will be able to keep their Medicare just as it is,
proposed new funding to continue our aggressive, community-based strategy to
or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them best - just as you, as Members
reduce demand for illegal drugs. Drug testing in our schools has proven to be an
of Congress, can choose an insurance plan that meets your needs. And starting
effective part of this effort. So tonight I propose an additional 23 million dollars
this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their med-
for schools that want to use drug testing as a tool to save children's lives. The aim
ical expenses, in a health savings account.
here is not to punish children, but to send them this message: We love you, and
I signed this measure proudly, and any attempt to limit the choices of our
we don't want to lose you.
seniors, or to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare, will
To help children make right choices, they need good examples. Athletics
meet my veto.
play such an important role in our society, but, unfortunately, some in profession-
On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can
al sports are not setting much of an example. The use of performance-enhancing
choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual
drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends
needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapid-
the wrong message - that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that per-
ly rising health care costs. Small businesses should be able to band together and
formance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners,
negotiate for lower insurance rates, so they can cover more workers with health
union representatives, coaches, and players to take the lead, to send the right sig-
insurance - I urge you to pass Association Health Plans. I ask you to give lower-
nal, to get tough, and to get rid of steroids now.
income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their
To encourage right choices, we must be willing to confront the dangers
own basic health insurance. By computerizing health records, we can avoid dan-
young people face - even when they are difficult to talk about. Each year, about
gerous medical mistakes, reduce costs, and improve care. To protect the doctor-
three million teenagers contract sexually transmitted diseases that can harm
patient relationship, and keep good doctors doing good work, we must eliminate
them, or kill them, or prevent them from ever becoming parents. In my budget,
8
9
I propose a grassroots campaign to help inform families about these medical
America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open,
risks. We will double Federal funding for abstinence programs, so schools can
the path ahead should lead to a better life.
teach this fact of life: Abstinence for young people is the only certain way to
For all Americans, the last three years have brought tests we did not ask for,
avoid sexually transmitted diseases. Decisions children make now can affect
and achievements shared by all. By our actions, we have shown what kind of
their health and character for the rest of their lives. All of us - parents, schools,
Nation we are. In grief, we found the grace to go on. In challenge, we rediscov-
government - must work together to counter the negative influence of the cul-
ered the courage and daring of a free people. In victory, we have shown the noble
ture, and to send the right messages to our children.
aims and good heart of America. And having come this far, we sense that we live
A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we
in a time set apart.
should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fun-
I have been a witness to the character of the American people, who have
damental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a
shown calm in times of danger, compassion for one another, and toughness for
stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by
the long haul. All of us have been partners in a great enterprise. And even some
President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under Federal law as the union
of the youngest understand that we are living in historic times. Last month a girl
of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for
in Lincoln, Rhode Island, sent me a letter. It began, "Dear George W. Bush." "If
other states. Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court
there is anything you know, I Ashley Pearson age 10 can do to help anyone, please
order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives.
send me a letter and tell me what I can do to save our country." She added this
On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges
P.S.: "If you can send a letter to the troops please put, 'Ashley Pearson believes
insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to
in you.'"
the people would be the constitutional process. Our Nation must defend the
Tonight, Ashley, your message to our troops has just been conveyed. And
sanctity of marriage.
yes, you have some duties yourself. Study hard in school, listen to your mom and
The outcome of this debate is important - and so is the way we conduct it.
dad, help someone in need, and when you and your friends see a man or woman
The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches that each individual
in uniform, say "thank you." And while you do your part, all of us here in this
has dignity and value in God's sight.
great chamber will do our best to keep you and the rest of America safe and free.
It is also important to strengthen our communities by unleashing the com-
My fellow citizens, we now move forward, with confidence and faith. Our
passion of America's religious institutions. Religious charities of every creed are
Nation is strong and steadfast. The cause we serve is right, because it is the cause
doing some of the most vital work in our country - mentoring children, feeding
of all mankind. The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable - and
the hungry, taking the hand of the lonely. Yet government has often denied social
it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power
service grants and contracts to these groups, just because they have a cross or Star
Who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know
of David or crescent on the wall. By Executive Order, I have opened billions of
that His purposes are just and true.
dollars in grant money to competition that includes faith-based charities. Tonight
May God bless the United States of America.
I ask you to codify this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never
Thank you.
discriminate against them again.
In the past, we have worked together to bring mentors to the children of
prisoners, and provide treatment for the addicted, and help for the homeless.
Tonight I ask you to consider another group of Americans in need of help. This
year, some 600,000 inmates will be released from prison back into society. We
know from long experience that if they can't find work, or a home, or help, they
are much more likely to commit more crimes and return to prison. So tonight, I
propose a four-year, 300 million dollar Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative to expand job
training and placement services, to provide transitional housing, and to help
newly released prisoners get mentoring, including from faith-based groups.
10
11
Ritacco, Krista L.
From:
Sherzer Press Releases, David
Sent:
Tuesday, January 20, 2004 5:33 PM
Subject:
STATE OF THE UNION EXCERPTS
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2004
State of the Union Excerpts
Tonight, President Bush will discuss the extraordinary challenges our country has faced and the historic
achievements we have made. Yet he will also stress that there's much more for our country to do:
"America this evening is a Nation called to great responsibilities. And we are rising to meet them "
"We have not come all this way - through tragedy, and trial, and war - only to falter and leave our work
unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same of us."
He will also remind the American people that we are a Nation still at war, and our government is meeting its
responsibility to protect the American people:
"Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have
passed since September 11, 2001 - over two years without an attack on American soil - and it is tempting to
believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting - and false."
"
America is on the offensive against the terrorists. "
'As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes that harbor and support
terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons "
"
Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better "
He will discuss the progress we're making in Afghanistan and Iraq, and renew our commitment to ensuring
those countries are free and peaceful:
"The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror "
"The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has always been willing to do
what it takes for what is right."
On priorities here at home, the President will discuss why he's optimistic about our growing economy, and call
on Congress to take action that will help turn our economic recovery into a lasting recovery. He will call on
them to help train Americans for the jobs of the 21st Century:
"America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology transforms the way almost
every job is done, America becomes more productive, and workers need new skills We must respond by
helping more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in our new economy."
1
President Bush will also discuss the importance of health care and the major cause for why Americans lack
health insurance: the rising costs of health care.
"On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private
health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must
act to address rapidly rising health care costs."
Finally, the President will argue that in a time of great change in our country and world, the things that make our
country strong should never change:
"We are living in a time of great change Yet some things endure - courage and compassion, reverence
and integrity, respect for differences of faith and race. The values we try to live by never change. And they are
instilled in us by fundamental institutions, such as families, and schools, and religious congregations. These
institutions - the unseen pillars of civilization - must remain strong in America.
"All of us - parents, schools, government - must work together to counter the negative influence of the
culture, and to send the right messages to our children."
2
State of the Union Excerpts
Tonight, President Bush will discuss the extraordinary challenges our country has
faced and the historic achievements we have made. Yet he will also stress that
there's much more for our country to do:
"America this evening is a Nation called to great responsibilities. And we
are rising to meet them
"
"We have not come all this way - through tragedy, and trial, and war - only
to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of
history, and they expect the same of us."
He will also remind the American people that we are a Nation still at war, and our
government is meeting its responsibility to protect the American people:
"Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people.
Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11, 2001 - over two years
without an attack on American soil - and it is tempting to believe that the danger is
behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting - and false."
" America is on the offensive against the terrorists...'
"As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes
that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or
biological weapons..."
"
Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for
the better. "
He will discuss the progress we're making in Afghanistan and Iraq, and renew our
commitment to ensuring those countries are free and peaceful:
"The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and
proud, and fighting terror..."
"The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has
always been willing to do what it takes for what is right."
On priorities here at home, the President will discuss why he's optimistic about our
growing economy, and call on Congress to take action that will help turn our
economic recovery into a lasting recovery. He will call on them to help train
Americans for the jobs of the 21ˢᵗ Century:
"America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology
transforms the way almost every job is done, America becomes more productive,
and workers need new skills We must respond by helping more Americans gain
the skills to find good jobs in our new economy."
President Bush will also discuss the importance of health care and the major cause
for why Americans lack health insurance: the rising costs of health care.
"On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can
choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs.
To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising
health care costs."
Finally, the President will argue that in a time of great change in our country and
world, the things that make our country strong should never change:
"We are living in a time of great change Yet some things endure -
courage and compassion, reverence and integrity, respect for differences of faith
and race. The values we try to live by never change. And they are instilled in us
by fundamental institutions, such as families, and schools, and religious
congregations. These institutions - the unseen pillars of civilization - must remain
strong in America.. "
"All of us - parents, schools, and government - must work together to
counter the negative influence of the culture, and to send the right messages to our
children."
State of the Union Excerpts
Tonight, President Bush will discuss the extraordinary challenges our
country has faced and the historic achievements we have made. Yet he will also
stress that there's much more for our country to do:
"America this evening is a Nation called to great responsibilities. And we
are rising to meet them
"We have not come all this way - through tragedy, and trial, and war - only
to falter, and leave our work unfinished: Americans are rising to the tasks of
history, and they expect the same of us"
He will also remind the American people that we are a Nation still at war, and our
government is meeting its responsibility to protect the American people:
"Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people.
Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11, 2001 - over two years
without an attack on American soil - and it is tempting to believe that the danger is
behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting - and false."
"
America is on the offensive against the terrorists..'
"As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes
that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or
biological weapons "
"
Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for
the better "
He will discuss the progress we're making in Afghanistan and Iraq, and renew our
commitment to ensuring those countries are free and peaceful:
"The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and
proud, and fighting terror "
"The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has
always been willing to do what it takes for what is right."
On priorities here at home, the President will discuss why he's optimistic about our
growing economy, and call on Congress to take action that will help turn our
economic recovery into a lasting recovery. He will call on them to help train
Americans for the jobs of the 21ˢᵗ Century:
"America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology
transforms the way almost every job is done, America becomes more productive,
and workers need new skills We must respond by helping more Americans gain
the skills to find good jobs in our new economy."
President Bush will also discuss the importance of healthcare and the major cause
for why Americans lack health insurance: the rising costs of healthcare.
individual
"On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can
choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their/needs. To make
insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care
costs."
Finally, the President will argue that in a time of great change in our country and
world, the things that make our country strong should never change:
"We are living in a time of great change Yet some things endure -
courage and compassion, reverence and integrity, respect for differences of faith
and race.
The values we try to live by never change. And they are instilled in us by
fundamental institutions, such as families, and schools, and religious
congregations. These institutions - the unseen pillars of civilization - must remain
strong in America
"All of us - parents, schools, and government - must work together to
counter the negative influence of the culture, and to send the right messages to our
children."
State of the Union Address
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Draft #30
Mr. Speaker, Vice President Cheney, Members of Congress,
distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
America this evening is a Nation called to great responsibilities. And
we are rising to meet them.
As we gather tonight, hundreds of thousands of American servicemen
and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing
hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are
making America more secure.
Each day, law enforcement personnel and intelligence officers are
tracking terrorist threats analysts are examining airline passenger lists
the men and women of our new Homeland Security Department are
patrolling our coasts and borders. And their vigilance is protecting
America.
Americans are proving once again to be the hardest working people
in the world. The American economy is growing stronger. The tax relief
you passed is working.
Tonight, Members of Congress can take pride in great works of
compassion and reform that skeptics had thought impossible. You are
raising the standards of our public schools; and you are giving our senior
citizens prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
We have faced serious challenges together - and now we face a
choice. We can go forward with confidence and resolve - or we can turn
back to the dangerous illusion that terrorists are not plotting and outlaw
regimes are no threat to us. We can press on with economic growth, and
reforms in education and Medicare - or we can turn back to the old policies
and old divisions.
We have not come all this way - through tragedy, and trial, and war -
only to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the
tasks of history, and they expect the same of us. In their efforts their
1
enterprise and their character, the American people are showing that the
state of our union is confident and strong.
Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American
people. Twenty eight months have passed since September 11th, 2001
over two years without an attack on American soil and it is tempting to
believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable,
comforting - - and false. The killing has continued in Bali, Jakarta,
Casablanca, Riyadh, Mombassa, Jerusalem, Istanbul, and Baghdad. The
terrorists continue to plot against America and the civilized world. And by
our will and courage, this danger will be defeated.
Inside the United States where the war began we must continue
to give homeland security and law enforcement personnel every tool they
need to defend us. And one of those essential tools is the Patriot Act,
which allows federal law enforcement to better share information, to track
terrorists, to disrupt their cells, and to seize their assets. For years, we
have used similar provisions to catch embezzlers and drug traffickers. If
these methods are good for hunting criminals, they are even more
important for hunting terrorists. Key provisions of the Patriot Act are set to
expire next year. The terrorist threat will not expire on that schedule. Our
law enforcement needs this vital legislation to protect our citizens - you
need to renew the Patriot Act.
America is on the offensive against the terrorists who started this war.
Last March, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, a mastermind of September 11th,
awoke to find himself in the custody of U.S. and Pakistani authorities. Last
August 11th brought the capture of the terrorist Hambali, who was a key
player in the attack in Indonesia that killed over 200 people. We are
tracking al-Qaida around the world and nearly two-thirds of their known
leaders have now been captured or killed. Thousands of very skilled and
determined military personnel are on a manhunt, going after the remaining
killers who hide in cities and caves - - and, one by one, we will bring the
terrorists to justice.
As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the
regimes that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with
nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. The United States and our allies
are determined: We refuse to live in the shadow of this ultimate danger.
2
The first to see our determination were the Taliban, who made
Afghanistan the primary training base of al-Qaida killers. As of this month,
that country has a new constitution, guaranteeing free elections and full
participation by women. Businesses are opening, health care centers are
being established, and the boys and girls of Afghanistan are back in school.
With help from the new Afghan Army, our coalition is leading aggressive
raids against surviving members of the Taliban and al-Qaida. The men and
women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and
fighting terror and America is honored to be their friend.
Since we last met in this chamber, combat forces of the United
States, Great Britain, Australia, Poland, and other countries enforced the
demands of the United Nations, ended the rule of Saddam Hussein - and
the people of Iraq are free. Having broken the Baathist regime, we face a
remnant of violent Saddam supporters. Men who ran away from our troops
in battle are now dispersed and attack from the shadows.
These killers, joined by foreign terrorists, are a serious, continuing
danger. Yet we are making progress against them. The once all-powerful
ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55
officials of the former regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are
on the offensive, leading over sixteen hundred patrols a day, and
conducting an average of 180 raids every week. We are dealing with these
thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam Hussein's evil regime.
The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America
has always been willing to do what it takes for what is right. Last January,
Iraq's only law was the whim of one brutal man. Today our coalition is
working with the Iraqi Governing Council to draft a basic law, with a bill of
rights. We are working with Iraqis and the United Nations to prepare for a
transition to full Iraqi sovereignty by the end of June. As democracy takes
hold in Iraq, the enemies of freedom will do all in their power to spread
violence and fear. They are trying to shake the will of our country and our
friends - but the United States of America will never be intimidated by
thugs and assassins. The killers will fail and the Iraqi people will live in
freedom.
Month by month, Iraqis are assuming more responsibility for their own
security and their own future. And tonight we are honored to welcome one
of Iraq's most respected leaders: the current President of the Iraqi
3
Governing Council, Adnan Pachachi. Sir, America stands with you and the
Iraqi people as you build a free and peaceful nation.
Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing
for the better. Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily pledged to
disclose and dismantle all of his regime's weapons of mass destruction
programs, including a uranium enrichment project for nuclear weapons.
Colonel Gadhafi correctly judged that his country would be better off, and
far more secure, without weapons of mass murder. Nine months of intense
negotiations involving the United States and Great Britain succeeded with
Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason is
clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one
can now doubt the word of America.
Different threats require different strategies. Along with nations in the
region, we are insisting that North Korea eliminate its nuclear program.
America and the international community are demanding that Iran meet its
commitments, and not develop nuclear weapons. America is committed to
keeping the world's most dangerous weapons out of the hands of the
world's most dangerous regimes.
When I came to this rostrum on September 20th, 2001, I brought the
police shield of a fallen officer, my reminder of lives that ended, and a task
that does not end. I gave to you and to all Americans my complete
commitment to securing our country and defeating our enemies. And this
pledge, given by one, has been kept by many. You in the Congress have
provided the resources for our defense, and cast the difficult votes of war
and peace. Our closest allies have been unwavering. America's
intelligence personnel and diplomats have been skilled and tireless.
And the men and women of the American military - they have taken
the hardest duty. We have seen their skill and courage in armored
charges, and midnight raids, and lonely hours on faithful watch. We have
seen the joy when they return, and felt the sorrow when one is lost. I have
had the honor of meeting our servicemen and women at many posts, from
the deck of a carrier in the Pacific, to a mess hall in Baghdad. Many of our
troops are listening tonight. And I want you and your families to know:
America is proud of you. And my Administration, and this Congress, will
give you the resources you need to fight and win the war on terror.
4
I know that some people question if America is really in a war at all.
They view terrorism more as a crime - a problem to be solved mainly with
law enforcement and indictments. After the World Trade Center was first
attacked in 1993, some of the guilty were indicted, tried, convicted, and
sent to prison. But the matter was not settled. The terrorists were still
training and plotting in other nations, and drawing up more ambitious plans.
After the chaos and carnage of September 11th, it is not enough to serve
our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and their supporters declared
war on the United States - and war is what they got.
Some in this chamber, and in our country, did not support the
liberation of Iraq. Objections to war often come from principled motives.
But let us be candid about the consequences of leaving Saddam Hussein
in power We are seeking all the facts, already the Kay Report identified
dozens of weapons of mass destruction-related program activities and
significant amounts of equipment that Iraq concealed from the United
Nations. Had we failed to act, the dictator's weapons of mass destruction
programs would continue to this day. Had we failed to act, Security Council
resolutions on Iraq would have been revealed as empty threats, weakening
the United Nations and encouraging defiance by dictators around the world.
Iraq's torture chambers would still be filled with victims - terrified and
innocent. The killing fields of Iraq - where hundreds of thousands of men,
women, and children vanished into the sands - would still be known only to
the killers. For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam
Hussein's regime is a better and safer place.
Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized.
This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain,
Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain,
Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands,
Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed
troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital
contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices. From
the beginning, America has sought international support for operations in
Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a
difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and
submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission
slip to defend the security of our people.
5
We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater
Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending,
to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with
liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every heart
the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by
tyranny for decades, it will rise again.
As long as the Middle East remains a place of tyranny, despair, and
anger, it will continue to produce men and movements that threaten the
safety of America and our friends. So America is pursuing a forward
strategy of freedom in the greater Middle East. We will challenge the
enemies of reform, confront the allies of terror, and expect a higher
standard from our friends. To cut through the barriers of hateful
propaganda, the Voice of America and other broadcast services are
expanding their programming in Arabic and Persian - and soon, a new
television service will begin providing reliable news and information across
the region. I will send you a proposal to double the budget of the National
Endowment for Democracy, and to focus its new work on the development
of free elections, free markets, free press, and free labor unions in the
Middle East. And above all, we will finish the historic work of democracy in
Afghanistan and Iraq, so those nations can light the way for others, and
help transform a troubled part of the world.
America is a Nation with a mission - and that mission comes from our
most basic beliefs. We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of
empire. Our aim is a democratic peace - a peace founded upon the dignity
and rights of every man and woman. America acts in this cause with
friends and allies at our side, yet we understand our special calling: This
great republic will lead the cause of freedom.
In these last three years, adversity has also revealed the fundamental
strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession,
and terrorist attack, and corporate scandals, and the uncertainties of war.
And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief, this
economy is strong, and growing stronger.
You have doubled the child tax credit from 500 to a thousand dollars
- reduced the marriage penalty - begun to phase out the death tax -
reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends - cut taxes on small
6
businesses - and you have lowered taxes for every American who pays
income taxes.
Americans took those dollars and put them to work, driving this
economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of
2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years. New home construction: the
highest in almost 20 years. Home ownership rates: the highest ever.
Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low.
Exports are growing. Productivity is high. And jobs are on the rise.
These numbers confirm that the American people are using their
money far better than government would have - and you were right to
return it.
America's growing economy is also a changing economy. As
technology transforms the way almost every job is done, America becomes
more productive, and workers need new skills. Much of our job growth will
be found in high-skilled fields like health care and biotechnology. So we
must respond by helping more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in
our new economy.
All skills begin with the basics of reading and math, which are
supposed to be learned in the early grades of our schools. Yet for too long,
for too many children, those skills were never mastered. By passing the No
Child Left Behind Act, you have made the expectation of literacy the law of
our country. We are providing more funding for our schools - a 36 percent
increase since 2001. We are requiring higher standards. We are regularly
testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to
parents, and making sure they have better options when schools are not
performing. We are making progress toward excellence for every child.
But the status quo always has defenders. Some want to undermine
the No Child Left Behind Act by weakening standards and accountability.
Yet the results we require are really a matter of common sense: We expect
third graders to read and do math at third grade level - and that is not
asking too much. Testing is the only way to identify and help students who
are falling behind.
This Nation will not go back to the days of simply shuffling children
along from grade to grade without them learning the basics. I refuse to
7
give up on any child - and the No Child Left Behind Act is opening the door
of opportunity to all of America's children.
At the same time, we must ensure that older students and adults can
gain the skills they need to find work now. Many of the fastest-growing
occupations require strong math and science preparation, and training
beyond the high school level. So tonight I propose a series of measures
called Jobs for the 21st Century. This program will provide extra help to
middle- and high school students who fall behind in reading and math
expand Advanced Placement programs in low-income schools and invite
math and science professionals from the private sector to teach part-time in
our high schools. I propose larger Pell Grants for students who prepare for
college with demanding courses in high school. I propose increasing our
support for America's fine community colleges, so they can train workers
for the industries that are creating the most new jobs. By all these actions,
we will help more and more Americans to join in the growing prosperity of
our country.
Job training is important, and so is job creation. We must continue to
pursue an aggressive, pro-growth economic agenda.
Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The
tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act, the unfair tax
on marriage will go back up. Unless you act, millions of families will be
charged 300 dollars more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act,
small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act, the death tax will
eventually come back to life. Unless you act, Americans face a tax
increase. What the Congress has given, the Congress should not take
away: For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should be
permanent.
Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners
and employees with relief from needless federal regulation, and protect
them from junk and frivolous lawsuits. Consumers and businesses need
reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run - so I urge you to
pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation,
and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy. My
Administration is promoting free and fair trade, to open up new markets for
America's entrepreneurs
and manufacturers
and farmers
and to
create jobs for America's workers. Younger workers should have the
8
opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes
in a personal retirement account. We should make the Social Security
system a source of ownership for the American people.
And we should limit the burden of government on this economy by
acting as good stewards of taxpayer dollars. In two weeks, I will send you
a budget that funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important
domestic needs, while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less
than four percent. This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut
wasteful spending, and be wise with the people's money. By doing so, we
can cut the deficit in half over the next five years.
Tonight I also ask you to reform our immigration laws, so they reflect
our values and benefit our economy. I propose a new temporary worker
program to match willing foreign workers with willing employers, when no
Americans can be found to fill the job. This reform will be good for our
economy - because employers will find needed workers in an honest and
orderly system. A temporary worker program will help protect our
homeland - allowing border patrol and law enforcement to focus on true
threats to our national security. I oppose amnesty, because it would
encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break
our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path
for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men
and women out from the shadows of American life.
Our Nation's health care system, like our economy, is also in a time
of change. Amazing medical technologies are improving and saving lives.
This dramatic progress has brought its own challenge, in the rising costs of
medical care and health insurance. Members of Congress we must
work together to help control those costs and extend the benefits of modern
medicine throughout our country.
Meeting these goals requires bipartisan effort - and two months ago,
you showed the way. By strengthening Medicare and adding a prescription
drug benefit, you kept a basic commitment to our seniors: You are giving
them the modern medicine they deserve.
Starting this year, under the law you passed, seniors can choose to
receive a drug discount card, saving them 10 to 25 percent off the retail
price of most prescription drugs - and millions of low-income seniors can
9
get an additional 600 dollars to buy medicine. Beginning next year, seniors
will have new coverage for preventive screenings against diabetes and
heart disease, and seniors just entering Medicare can receive wellness
exams.
In January of 2006, seniors can get prescription drug coverage under
Medicare. For a monthly premium of about 35 dollars, most seniors who
do not have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut
roughly in half. Under this reform, senior citizens will be able to keep their
Medicare just as it is, or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them
best - just as you, as Members of Congress, can choose an insurance plan
that meets your needs. And starting this year, millions of Americans will be
able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses, in a health savings
account.
I signed this measure proudly, and any attempt to limit the choices of
our seniors, or to take away their prescription drug coverage under
Medicare, will meet my veto.
On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that
Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best
fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress
must act to address rapidly rising health care costs. Small businesses
should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, so
they can cover more workers with health insurance - I urge you to pass
Association Health Plans. I ask you to give lower-income Americans a
refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health
insurance. By computerizing health records, we can avoid dangerous
medical mistakes, reduce costs, and improve care. To protect the doctor-
patient relationship, and keep good doctors doing good work, we must
eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. And tonight I propose
that individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage, as part of our
new health savings accounts, be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the
premiums from their taxes.
A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By
keeping costs under control, expanding access, and helping more
Americans afford coverage, we will preserve the system of private medicine
that makes America's health care the best in the world.
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We are living in a time of great change - in our world, in our
economy, and in science and medicine. Yet some things endure
Courage and compassion, reverence and integrity, respect for differences
of faith and race The values we try to live by never change. And they are
instilled in us by fundamental institutions, such as families, and schools,
and religious congregations. These institutions - the unseen pillars of
civilization - must remain strong in America, and we will defend them.
We must stand with our families to help them raise healthy,
responsible children. And when it comes to helping children make right
choices, there is work for all of us to do.
One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their
lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this
problem, with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug
use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the past two years.
Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in
the year 2001. In my budget, I have proposed new funding to continue our
aggressive, community-based strategy to reduce demand for illegal drugs.
Drug testing in our schools has proven to be an effective part of this effort.
So tonight I propose an additional 23 million dollars for schools that want to
use drug testing as a tool to save children's lives. The aim here is not to
punish children, but to send them this message: We love you, and we
don't want to lose you.
To help children make right choices, they need good examples.
Athletics play such an important role in our society, but, unfortunately,
some in professional sports are not setting much of an example. The use
of performance enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football, and
other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message - that there are
shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than
character. So tonight I call on team owners, union representatives,
coaches, and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough,
and to get rid of steroids now.
To encourage right choices, we must be willing to confront the
dangers young people face - even when they are difficult to talk about.
Each year, about three million teenagers contract sexually transmitted
diseases that can harm them, or kill them, or prevent them from ever
becoming parents. In my budget, I propose a grassroots campaign to help
11
inform families about these medical risks. We will double federal funding
for abstinence programs, so schools can teach this fact of life: Abstinence
for young people is the only certain way to avoid sexually transmitted
diseases. Decisions children make now can affect their health and
character for the rest of their lives. All of us - parents, schools,
government - must work together to counter the negative influence of the
culture, and to send the right messages to our children.
A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I
believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one
of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress
has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage
Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage
under federal law as the union of a man and a woman, and declares that
one state may not re-define marriage for other states. Activist judges,
however, have begun re-defining marriage by court order, without regard
for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of
such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist
on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the
people would be the constitutional process. Our Nation must defend the
sanctity of marriage.
The outcome of this debate is important - and so is the way we
conduct it. The same moral tradition that defines marriage also teaches
that each individual has dignity and value in God's sight.
It is also important to strengthen our communities by unleashing the
compassion of America's religious institutions. Religious charities of every
creed are doing some of the most vital work in our country - mentoring
children, feeding the hungry, taking the hand of the lonely. Yet government
has often denied social service grants and contracts to these groups, just
because they have a cross or Star of David or crescent on the wall. By
Executive Order, I have opened billions of dollars in grant money to
competition that includes faith-based charities. Tonight I ask you to codify
this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate
against them again.
In the past, we have worked together to bring mentors to the children
of prisoners and provide treatment for the addicted and help for the
homeless. Tonight I ask you to consider another group of Americans in
12
need of help. This year, some 600,000 inmates will be released from
prison back into society. We know from long experience that if they can't
find work, or a home, or help, they are much more likely to commit more
crimes and return to prison. So tonight I propose a four-year, 300 million
dollar Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative to expand job training and placement
services to provide transitional housing and to help newly released
prisoners get mentoring, including from faith-based groups. America is the
land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the
path ahead should lead to a better life.
For all Americans, the last three years have brought tests we did not
ask for, and achievements shared by all. By our actions, we have shown
what kind of Nation we are. In grief, we found the grace to go on. In
challenge, we re-discovered the courage and daring of a free people. In
victory, we have shown the noble aims and good heart of America. And
having come this far, we sense that we live in a time set apart.
I have been a witness to the character of the American people, who
have shown calm in times of danger, compassion for one another, and
toughness for the long haul. All of us have been partners in a great
enterprise. And even some of the youngest understand that we are living
in historic times. Last month a girl in Lincoln, Rhode Island sent me a
letter. It began, "Dear George W. Bush." "If there is anything you know, I
Ashley Pearson age 10 can do to help anyone, please send me a letter and
tell me what I can do to save our country." She added this P.S.: "If you
can send a letter to the troops
please put, 'Ashley Pearson believes in
you."
Tonight, Ashley, your message to our troops has just been conveyed.
And yes, you have some duties yourself. Study hard in school, listen to
your mom and dad, help someone in need, and when you and your friends
see a man or woman in uniform, say "thank you." And while you do your
part, all of us here in this great chamber will do our best to keep you and
the rest of America safe and free.
My fellow citizens, we now move forward, with confidence and faith.
Our Nation is strong and steadfast. The cause we serve is right, because it
is the cause of all mankind. The momentum of freedom in our world is
unmistakable - and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can
13
trust in that greater power Who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all
that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.
May God bless the United States of America. Thank you.
Drafted by: Mike Gerson, John McConnell, and Matthew Scully, Office of Speechwriting
Office: 202/456-0168, 202/456-2816 and 202/456-7289
Cell:
(b)(6)
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Message
Page 1 of 9
Ritacco, Krista L.
From: Eckert, Ellen E.
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 11:49 AM
Subject: bartlett as sao in background briefing w/regional reporters on 1/16/04
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Internal Transcript
January 16,
2004
PRESS BACKGROUND BRIEFING
ON THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
TO REGIONAL REPORTERS
BY
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL
(Via Telephone)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: -- (in progress) -- so that
process started. We also, by tradition, try to get the President a
detailed outline by the time of the Christmas holiday, which we did.
The President returned from the ranch over the holiday and we started
working on preparing a draft. And now we are heavy into the drafting
of the speech. And the President today spent about an hour-and-a-
half to almost two hours editing the speech with the speech writers
and myself. He will be up at Camp David this weekend, which he'll be
working on the speech. He hasn't actually practiced it -- that won't
start until Sunday afternoon, when he gets back to the White House.
And then we'll do some on Monday, as well. It's a -- but he's
looking forward to it. He's excited about giving it. This is his
fourth one to give, and like I said, he's looking forward to it.
As far as the substance of it, I think that the quote that I'll
be giving to you on the record, I can say is, "It will be a forward-
looking speech, yet one that also takes in stock our -- of our
accomplishments. We are meeting a lot of important historical
tests." So that's a quote I'll give you, as far as a summary quote
for the speech.
But that's exactly how I'd like to start this. This nation has
very clear priorities. We're a nation still at war. The President
will speak to the American people as President, and also as
Commander-in-Chief about the progress we are making, about the
achievements we have realized, based on the decisions and the resolve
we have shown in the wake of September 11th, as we fight the war on
terror. He will talk about the importance to continue on this path
of seeking more security and peace across the world, and here at
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home. And he has to be as determined as ever in order to win the war
on terror.
There is a lot of change going on in the world. And he
recognizes that the American people understand that change is
happening, but he will confidently tell them that that change is for
the better, because it's change that's going to make America safer.
There's some change going on here at home, as well, most
importantly when it comes to our economy. It's an economy that is on
a strong rebound from an economic recession, that we're seeing the
type of positive economic growth that if we continue to take the
right policies and the right positions, that we can turn it into a
lasting prosperity. So the change here at home is also a change for
the better.
But he recognizes that as we prepare for the jobs of the 21st
century and start creating the jobs for the American people, that we
also need to make sure that our the American people have the
necessary skills to fulfill those jobs, and that we also continue to
create enough jobs for every American to find work. And so he's
going to be talking to the United States Congress about some actions
they can take to make sure that we turn this recovery into lasting
economic prosperity.
Obviously, one issue that comes to mind is that he believes --
there is a debate in some parts of our country about a fundamental
part of our success of our economic recovery, and that's tax relief.
And he strongly believes now is not the time to turn our backs on the
taxpayers of America, that we need to pursue a pro-growth agenda and
making sure that the very money we let the American people keep and
help fuel this recovery stays in their pockets and stays in their
small businesses, so we do have the type of lasting prosperity that's
important for our country.
I would conclude by saying, while there is a lot of change going
on in our world and there's some change going on here at home, in a
huge historical way we are making, really, a lasting positive impact
on our country and on the world. But there are some things in our
country that never change, that the values that make our country
strong, the institutions in which we cherish, those that protect our
children, educate our children, those faith-based institutions that
help our
-- those in need, those are some of the real quiet pillars in our
society that are also important to defend and to promote and to
herald. And the President will spend time in the State of the Union
talking about some of those enduring values, as well.
So that's an overview for you. Like I said, it's very forward-
looking. It's a -- the President enters this speech with a lot of
optimism and confidence because what he's witnessed in the American
people, particularly our men and women who wear the uniform, who have
really are the real reason why we've achieved so much on behalf of
the security of the American people. And he'll be speaking to that
in detail, as well.
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So with that, I will -- I'm more than happy to answer open it
up to questions.
Q I just want to read back this quote, I think I missed the
second sentence. "It will be a forward-looking speech, one that also
takes stock in our accomplishments. We are meeting a lot of
historical tests."
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: "It will be a forward-looking
speech, but also one that takes stock of our accomplishments. We are
meeting a lot of important historical tests."
Q Thank you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Next?
Q
Given it's the start of an election year, does the
President approach this speech in any different way, trying to frame
the debate for the coming year or frame what some of his themes are
going to be as he goes to the public to seek another term?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, it's this is his
fourth State of the Union, and it is a year in which there is a
presidential election. He understands that. But I think he
understands that the public, when he gives his State of the Union,
they want to hear about what he's going to do as President of the
United States now, not about a future debate, not about a decision
that's going to be made in the fall, but to understand what direction
he's taking the country. Because regardless of what happens in
November, he's the President for this year. He's the President
during the calendar year of the coming year, and he's the one who is
going to have direct effect and change on their daily lives. And,
obviously, the President will argue for the betterment of their daily
lives.
The political process will play out on its course. There is, as
we know, a very spirited debate going on in the Democratic primary.
That process will play out in the weeks and potentially months ahead,
and then as soon as they choose their nominee, we'll at that
point, the public will expect the two nominees to discuss and
exchange their different viewpoints about the direction of our
country. The President looks forward to that at the time. But this
night is devoted to speaking to the state of our union now as
President of the United States, and obviously, as Commander-in-Chief
during the time of war. And that's kind of his focus.
Q Will the President address or defend his immigration
initiative in the State of the Union speech? And he's traveling to
Phoenix the next day -- might he continue to do that then, too?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think you can fully expect
the President to again reiterate his call for a new guest worker
program, that this is a compassionate policy. It's good public
policy for on many different levels, whether it be for the
economic security of America, for our homeland security, and for the
decency of us as a country, that is, one that has welcomed people
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from all over the world. So he looks forward to talking about his
immigration proposal. And he will be doing some follow-on travel.
I'm sure that issue, obviously, will come up there, as well.
I
Will there be anything new in this speech that we haven't
heard before? And if not, why did he blow the space program and the
immigration project early?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I don't agree with your
depiction of blowing it. (Laughter.)
I
I don't mean I mean
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I understand what you mean.
Yes, there will be some new initiatives in this speech. He does in
every one of his speeches. I think the feeling was that both of
those items, the immigration foreign proposal, as well as the space
policy are ones that require a level of depth and explanation that we
believe deserved its own speech and time. And because of the way,
particularly the space policy roll-out played, I think the public is
fully aware of what's going on with the President's views on space
policy. It's been in the news quite a bit. He will reiterate, like
I said, the immigration reform.
But, yes, there will be some new initiatives. I'm unfortunately
not in a position to be able to give those to you today.
I
Anything in the -- as big as those two?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the President will talk
about the priorities of the country. There will be some important
initiatives to make sure that we stay on the path of meeting these
priorities. He will also talk about the need this year, as he has
every year, for budget discipline, that we will be good stewards of
the taxpayer dollars. We will be putting out a budget the following
10 days or so after the speech, and that his priorities will sit in
an overall budget context that holds the line on spending because we
are a country that is still running deficits because we're meeting
our urgent priorities of winning a war and coming out of recession.
And his budget will cut the deficit in half over five years.
So in the context of a budget that is very responsible, we will
be providing new initiatives, and he will demonstrate how we'll pay
for them.
I
And will he talk about the efforts to change the Medicare
bill?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He will definitely talk about
the Medicare bill, why it's good for America's seniors and how when
the Congress puts its mind to something it can get positive
achievement done. So he will use this as an opportunity to discuss
the important items that are in that bill. But he will make sure
that there will be no retreat on providing the type of benefits and
choice and prescription drugs that we have given to the American
people, to America's seniors.
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I
Two things. One, is the President going to give us any
sort of timetable on pulling out of Iraq? And, second, is he going
to be willing to endorse extending unemployment benefits for people,
like many of those in Oregon, who are running out?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: What the President is going to
talk about is, particularly on the issue of Iraq, that we are on a
path of democracy emerging in that country, that we have difficult
work to continue, that we will continue to meet our obligations.
It's very clear that we have a transition plan to hand over
sovereignty to the Iraqi people by July 1st. We are -- the President
is going to talk about that transition. But he's also going to say,
we are going to see it through, that we are there to make sure that
Iraq is peaceful and secure.
On economic issues, the President is going to talk about the
need to continue to create jobs, that he's not satisfied that,
despite the fact that we have economic growth, there are many people
in America that are still trying to seek work, and he's going to talk
about how we can create the type of jobs and make sure they have the
skills they need to fill those jobs.
As far as the issue of unemployment and insurance, he will
continue to work with Congress, as he has in the past, to address
that issue. So he is focusing in the State of the Union on how we
can create the jobs. He will work with the Congress on the issue of
unemployment insurance.
I
So that means, no timetable on Iraq, no definitive
timetable?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, there's a definitive
timetable of handing over sovereignty. The issue, as far as troop
levels, will be made by commanders on the field. He'll take the
advice of them, and he'll make decisions commiserate on their
recommendations.
I I'd like to know whether or not Charles Pickering will be
there, whether the President will talk about some of his most
controversial judicial nominees? And what issues do you think
African Americans will most take note of in the speech, either
positively or negatively?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't think there will be
anything negative in there that anybody could take away from the
speech, to tell you the truth. (Laughter.) No, I don't think
Charles Pickering will be in attendance. I wouldn't have any reason
to believe why any of the judges, besides the Supreme Court, would be
there. It's a pretty traditional guest list that attends.
The President will -- there will be issues that the President
talks about and priorities that, I think, will be very that the
African American community will be very interested, particularly
education. I think there's a while there was an enormous debate
and great progress made on No Child Left Behind when this was passed
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in 2001, there were some of those defenders of the status quo from
back before that who kind of want to try to weaken the standards.
And the President is going to make it very clear in the State of
the Union that he refuses to give up on any child, that he wants to
make sure that every single child has a chance, that the old system
of shuffling children through school without making sure that they
know how to learn, how to read and how to write and add and subtract
is something that he won't tolerate.
So he'll talk about that issue, which I think will be very
important. And the President is also going to talk about a
compassionate agenda to make sure that everybody in America who needs
help, who may feel like the American Dream is not for them, that they
have opportunities to do so, that we have -- that we herald and back
the institutions and organizations that help people in need.
And so it's a very comprehensive speech. It's going to touch on
a lot of issues that I think will appeal to many Americans, including
African Americans.
Q
What about the judges? What about the judges?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't think the issue
specifically of judges will be raised in the speech.
Q
African Americans in attendance there as guests?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, we'll put out the guest
list on Tuesday.
Q
Thank you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You're welcome.
Q
Two quick points. Any initiatives or anything on mad COW
or energy will be in the speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I'm hoping to try to stay
out of a laundry list of what's in, what's out. Both those are very
important issues, and one in which our government has been -- they're
very focused on both in a congressional debate on energy
legislation. The President made very clear how important he thinks
it is that our country have a comprehensive energy policy. So I
wouldn't be surprised on that front. Mad COW is something that we
are taking very seriously. The Department of Agriculture has been at
the forefront of detecting and pursuing any potential ramifications
of the one calf that we found. I probably -- I almost said, steer
you away, that would be a terrible pun -- about any -- we put out a
proposal already about how we're going to be dealing with downer COW
and other things. So I think that's already in the public realm.
I
Does he feel the need, is this a good forum to assure the
American people the food supply is safe?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You know, it's interesting. I
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think that based upon both the efforts of our government to ensure
this right from the outset, that was where the most critical time was
to ensure that the food supply was safe. But I think the American
people have responded, themselves, by demonstrating that they believe
the food supply is safe. It's something that he's talked about and
will continue to do SO.
I
My question is, since the last State of the Union address,
over the past year there's been a lot of allegations that there was
misleading intelligence information during the State of the Union.
So I was just wondering if that has affected your approach for this
year's State of the Union, or maybe the standards you use for
evidence included in this speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the process -- the famous
16 words, and that whole issue from last year, I think it is safe to
say that a rigorous process is in place. And I think everybody who
is tasked and is responsible for fact-checking will be very vigilant,
I can assure you.
Q
Can you tell me whether the President will have any
specific proposals related to manufacturing, jobs, retirement,
security? And will he bring up this billion dollar marriage plan?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I was caught a little bit
by surprise by the billion dollar marriage proposal because I didn't
know of it. We've had a proposal that's been out there for quite
some time -- the President actually outlined in his budget last year,
these are measures that we've been for.
So I think that was a little -- I don't know how best to say it
-- overwritten a few days ago. So I would -- I'd try to caution you
a little bit on that.
Q
So you don't expect him to mention it in the State of the
Union?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Again, he can be --
Q
-- talk about marriage?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, stay tuned. We'll
refine. But as far as the way that it was characterized by The New
York Times, I'd be careful to follow that path.
As far as the President has a very particular concern about jobs
-- job creation in America. We understand -- he understands,
particularly, the impact it's had on the manufacturing sector. I
believe we put a report out by the Commerce Department today speaking
to those issues. But he's going to talk about creating jobs
throughout America in the State of the Union and how we can make sure
that we have lasting economic growth that can reach all sectors of
the economy.
Q
And about retirement security?
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SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, he's going to talk about,
as he has, as a candidate and as he has as President every year, the
need that, particularly, that we need to address the issue of Social
Security reform. It's something that he feels very strongly about
and he will reiterate his call for the Congress to begin and really
look at the issues of Social Security reform, making sure that, what
he believes, is the power and promise of personal retirement accounts
and how those can help save the Social Security system.
I Beyond Medicare, health care has been a big topic among the
Democrats out in Iowa on the campaign trail, the cost of health care
in general, prescription drug prices. Anything we're going to hear
about that?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm glad you brought that up.
I appreciate that. I did talk about how the President is going to
talk and praise the Congress, how they were able to come together to
talk about one of the most critical health care issues for America's
seniors, but he also talked about there were many Americans that are
coping with the rising cost of health care. And he will speak to
specific proposals that he has outlined before, and we'll talk about
what we're going to do, and what we need to do as a country to
address the rising cost of health care. So that is an important item
which he 11 talk about in the speech on Tuesday night.
I
Which proposals he's outlined before?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, he's talked about things
one of the biggest cost-drivers is the runaway litigation system
and lawsuit abuse. He'll talk about the need to have lawsuit
reform. He'll talk about the need to allow small businesses to pool
together so they can under association health plans, SO they can
better negotiate prices. He will talk about how we can address
help the many Americans out who are on the uninsured roles, by
allowing them to deduct their health care expenses through a tax
credit proposal. So he'll have many different items how to tackle
the cost of rising health care cost.
I've got time to take one more question.
Q
A couple times you mentioned, when you were talking about
the economy, you mentioned about helping Americans get the necessary
skills. One of these new initiatives you're talking about are the
new job training --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, we've talked about -- the
President has been out there talking about some of the things we're
doing to make sure that the federal government is helping facilitate
the local concerns and local needs by helping through community
colleges, matching with employers in local communities to make sure
that they adapt to the changing job sectors in those economies,
whether it be biotech or other things, to make sure they have the
skills. And these could be items in which the President could expand
upon in the speech.
I
And anything in the arena of foreign affairs -- beyond the
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Iraq stuff, like anything like AIDS, or some of the other
initiatives?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I think that the
President -- he will talk about the actions we have taken, as far as
for the security interests of the American people, when we talk about
Afghanistan and Iraq. He'll also talk about some of the positive
consequences that have happened because we've taken principled stands
and ensured that the demands of the world are met with not empty
threats but with firm resolve. And there have been positive
responses. Libya comes to mind, for example.
The other thing he'll -- you know, I think would be a good go-by
for you to look at is the speech the President gave in London, when
he was over there, talking about the spirit of democracy and freedom
in a part of the world that hasn't seen it, the Middle East. And
that is a critically important issue. It's important to the spread
of democracy and freedom, but also to the security interests of
America. So there will be quite a bit he talks about on the foreign
policy side.
Q
But will there be initiatives like -- I'm talking about
money
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I know you are.
Q
-- like AIDS, and things like that?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, we're working with the
Congress to get that AIDS money passed right now. And they have an
omnibus bill that they are pursuing right now, and that's why the
President thinks they need to get this done.
Q
But that was one of the big things that got attention last
year.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Sure.
Q Some of the initiatives you're talking about, that you're
being kind of coy about, could they be in the foreign policy arena?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll talk about I think
he'll talk about some ways how we can help spread the democracy and
put some emphasis behind some of the things that he's talked about.
But I'll let you clue in on Tuesday. (Laughter.)
Q
Thank you.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I appreciate you all for your
time. And if you have any questions to follow up, or anything,
please call the Media Affairs Office. Thank you very much.
END
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Ritacco, Krista L.
From: Eckert, Ellen E.
Sent:
Friday, January 16, 2004 5:13 PM
Subject: Bartlett briefing to wires and tv reporters on state of union speech
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Internal Transcript
January 16,
2004
PRESS BACKGROUND BRIEFING
TO WIRES AND TELEVISION REPORTERS
ON THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
BY
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL
Room 180
Eisenhower Executive Office Building
2:10 P.M. EST
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: How about we start with kind of
the process stuff, that I know helps to make your stories, about
preparation for the State of the Union.
I
Background?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: On background, these remarks
and everything today is on background. We'll go with that.
The President -- you know, we have a pretty set procedure now
that's worked pretty well for us, from a preparation standpoint. The
first thing that really pushes it is the budget process, and the
budget has to start being written for the next year pretty early. So
we had some internal working group meetings going back to late
October, early November. Our first meetings with the President began
in late -- well, let's say the middle of November, in which we were
talking about kind of the big, broad strokes of some of the policy
things we want to be talking about for the next year -- also making,
as we're making decisions on the budget, as well.
The goal always is to have a pretty detailed outline for the
President before Christmas, and we were able to do that, he was able
to take an outline with him down to the ranch over Christmas. It's
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interesting how much difference a week makes, but the fact that this
one is on the 20th and not on the 28th does make for a little bit
more of a hurried process than years past, because people really
weren't back in full mode until, what, the 4th I guess it was, the
4th or 5th -- he came back on the 3rd or 4th, and then that Monday.
So there really was -- and with the big immigration speech and the
space policy speech. But you need not be worried, we'll have
something to say on Tuesday.
But the President is now in the editing phase of the speech.
We're in probably double digit drafts now. So he's very comfortable
with the progress that's being made. He'll go to Camp this weekend,
where we will work further on the speech. And he probably won't
actually begin practicing it until Sunday evening or Monday, SO he
hasn't done any actual walk-throughs or anything like that. So very
pleased with the progress being made.
One thing, also, as I kind of turn to the substance of this, I
will say one thing that I'm not going to do today even though I
know you 11 try -- is kind of do a laundry list of what's in or out
and try to say that if I don't say some things that that, in itself,
is an admission as to whether it's in or out. So I'm going to try to
stay away from that.
One thing that's clear is that if you look back over the past
State of the Unions -- or even for past presidents, sometimes it
requires the President to define for the American people what the
priorities of our country are. One thing that's been clear during
this President's administration and what's clear this year, the
priorities of our nation are very clear: we're a nation still at
war, with threats to our own country very real, as that was also
evident over the holiday season. We're a country that is fighting
its way out of a recession into an economic recovery that requires
our government and our country to stay on the path of economic
growth.
We have issues that other -- that are clear to the public,
whether it be education or health care. If you look at the issues of
the day, it's clear. And the President is going to speak to these
priorities of the country. He is going to talk about the fact that
the most primary responsibility of government is to protect the
American people. He's going to talk about the obvious progress we've
made on the war on terror over the course of the last year; the path
we are on; the changes that are going on in the world and how that
change is leading us to more peace and security throughout the
world. And he will make the case, obviously, why it's important that
we stay on this path to peace and security.
We're also seeing a lot of changes here at home, particularly
when it comes to our economy. Our economy is changing as we go into
the 21st century and as workers and businesses adapt to these new
challenges of the 21st century it's important that we make sure that
we have done everything we can to give the American people the skills
necessary to fulfill the jobs of the 21st century and that we create
enough jobs in order for everyone who needs a job to find a job. So
the President is going to talk at length about that.
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And as you see, while there are changes going on in the world
and there are changes going on here at home, the President will speak
confidently about the direction we are going in because of the
optimism he sees, that it is a change that's headed for more peace
and it's a change headed for more prosperity.
But it's also important to recognize that there are some things
in America that don't change, and he's going to talk about some of
the things that have made America strong and unique -- strong schools
and strong families and strong institutions, like faith-based
institutions and others that help define us as a people, define us as
a country. And those are important things which the President has
spoken about, passionately about in the past and he will talk in
detail about in the future, in the coming year, as part of his
agenda.
So the President is excited about the year to come. He's
excited about delivering the State of the Union because of the
optimism he has and the optimism he sees and the confidence he sees
in the American people as he travels the country. And you can
describe this as a very you know, an optimistic speech, because we
are a country that has gone through an extraordinary three years
together, and we've united around some very big goals and challenges
with enormous consequence. And we can continue down this path -- the
President is going to say why it's important to stay on this
trajectory of peace and security and prosperity, and that we don't
lose sight of these big goals and historic change that can take
place.
So those are the broad strokes of what he'll talk about.
Obviously, there will be some new things that he'll talk about in the
State of the Union, as we have each year. And I think these
initiatives will reinforce the priorities -- and help explain how we
can move forward in some of these priority areas that the President
feels so passionately about.
I
What about you mentioned create enough jobs, he'll talk
at length about that. Are there new proposals to create jobs, or is
he just going to explain where we are in that process? And,
secondly, is there any part of this that one could identify as a
vision for a second term?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the President has
outlined a bold vision for our country over the course of his term in
office. Some of those items that he's outlined, the Congress still
needs to act on, and he will obviously talk about some of those
items.
He's also outlined some other important objectives for our
country, even before the State of the Union, whether it be on
immigration reform, space policy, and others. And there will be
important measures. The President has spoken since he first ran for
office about Social Security reform. He's talked about it in every,
single State of the Union address, and you can expect him to talk --
again renew his commitment to making sure that we save Social
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Security by providing personal retirement accounts to America's
future generations.
Q
More in this speech than in previous speeches?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm not going to get into the
weights issues, but, like I said, he's addressed it in each one and
he will again.
The issue of the economy is one in which the President believes
that we need to continue to pursue a pro-growth economic agenda.
There are several items that the President has already been talking
quite a bit about, that the Congress needs to act on. As I also
talked about, our economy is changing, we're making sure that our
country and our work force is prepared for those changes and can take
advantage of the changes in our economy is important. He'll be
talking about that, as well.
Q
What's the federal role in it? The President has been
talking about that for a long time there are dozens of job
training type programs across the federal government most which
don't work, in the estimation of a lot of people in the President's
own party. What's the federal role in helping workers adjust?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I think what the
President has already outlined in some of his travels already this
past year and we've talked about is there are areas in which federal
dollars pass through into the type of programs at the local and
regional level that reflect the dynamics that are happening in those
communities can be done in a positive way, to give the type of skills
and training that American workers need to adapt to the jobs of the
21st century. I think that's there are some programs that
probably are not effective, and that's something that our Office of
Management and Budget look at and we talk about in our budget. We
want to make sure that the taxpayer's dollars are held to account and
make sure that they're spent wisely.
But the President has talked about where there are federal job
training programs and one of his the areas in which he has a
lot of experience as governor of Texas and something that he's looked
at as President is the role that community colleges could play, that
community colleges have more capacity to be flexible and dynamic and
adaptive to the needs of a community, to work with the employers of a
community to determine what skills are needed for their local
citizens.
So those are areas in which the President obviously believes
that the decision that there is a federal role, and that's been
made. How it's spent and what type of program is it spent on is an
important debate and one the President is looking forward to.
Q
How about the health care costs and health care insurance?
Is he going to I know you don't want to discuss new initiatives or
outline new initiatives, but is he going to offer anything new in
that
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SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the President -- the
rising cost of health care in America is an issue that is important,
it's one that we have an agenda that focuses on it from a lot of
different approaches or angles. One thing is to look at the issue of
the total number of uninsured, but it's also important to look at the
underlying reasons why it isn't, and primarily, it's because,
obviously, the rising cost of health care. And there are a lot of
things that factor into that. And he's going to talk about these
outlines and proposals on those -- on that front. And he be
talking about those on Tuesday night.
Q
So basically he's going to go with what he's got?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Again, I'm not going to go into
issues of new/old view. It's an issue of, health care in America is
an important one, which the President will address.
Q
How do you deal with timing? Do you leave the politics for
another day, or is there compare and contrast, if you will, when the
President says, to keep the recovery going, we should do an X, Y, and
Z, including make the tax cuts permanent? Does he leave it there in
his speech, or does he in this speech, say, there are others in this
year out there who want to do other things that I consider to be a
tax increase, that would be damaging?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: There are on many different
areas, there have been defenders of the status quo who wanted to turn
back and go back to before, for example, on No Child Left Behind,
who don't want to have the standards raised. And the President,
obviously, is a passionate defender of making sure that we don't give
up on any child, and a promoter of No Child Left Behind will looks
forward to talking about those issues.
And there's other issues in which the path we're on is the right
path, and he'll make the argument why that path is right, whether it
be on economic security, whether it be on national security, because
those are important issues for the American people to hear. He
recognizes this as a campaign year, and as the year progresses,
people are going to look at the issues of the day through the prism
of a presidential campaign.
But I think as they hear the President on Tuesday night, they'll
see somebody who has had a very clear, consistent policy and vision
for the country in which he believes that we ought to be governed.
And his goal has always been is to unite the country around these
big, historic goals in order to effect real change.
Q
My question, as he says, how much that he thinks he's on
the right path, how much is also in there to make the point that he
thinks others are on the wrong path?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, he's never been one to
point out people -- or specific people, stuff like that. He's going
to talk about what he's for, and we talk about some of the important
issues, it'll be to make distinctions in policy differences as we've
gone forward, is always part of a a part of major speeches.
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And the President is going to articulate why the path we're on
not only and the reason why is because it's not theory. It's in
reality. We've seen the practical benefits of the vision and the
agenda that he's pursuing, whether it be on national security and the
fact that we're making the world more peaceful and secure; and the
fact on domestic issues, for example, that we're holding children to
higher standards and that we are have an economy now that's
growing or is tangible evidence that the policies the President has
been pursuing are effective and he's going to be very forthright in
saying that the vision going forward is the right one.
Q
How much is this going to be focusing on quoting the book,
if you will, on items from the first term? For example, maybe the
energy bill that he talks about in a lot of speeches. Will he
address things like that, sort of unfinished items?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, like I said, there are
parts of the President's agenda that still require congressional
action. He'll be speaking to the United States Congress as well as
the country, so those items in which he believes the Congress should
not give up on or use an excuse as an election year not to act on,
will be things that he be advocating.
Q
And will we hear anything like if he's -- clearly he thinks
we're on the right path with the tax cuts, and is going to ask for
permanent tax cuts, that's been as much said. Would we get -- hear
something different in terms of, like, imposing discipline, fiscal
discipline on the Congress, or
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, he takes very seriously
the issue of fiscal discipline, and obviously, I think it's 10 days
after 10 or 12 days after the State of the Union, the President
will be putting forward his budget for the United States Congress to
consider. They obviously have work to do to finish on the current
budget. And my understanding, they may even be having votes on the
actual -- on the day of the State of the Union. And that's those
are important. But, basically, the President is going to talk about
the need for fiscal discipline, that he's put forward responsible
budgets and it's important that the Congress should respond to that
by acting in a fiscally responsible way.
Q And you said that in the past, you know, he has asked for
spending to be kept at the rate of family income growth. Would he
take it any further, maybe, and do anything in terms of actually
seeking to propose to address deficits, for example?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, we do believe that we do
address deficits the budgets that the President puts forward will
cut the deficit in half in five years. That's not theory, that's
reality. And it's a very responsible budget. It funds our
priorities. We are a nation still at war and we're a nation that's
coming out of an economic recession. We ought to have the focus of
the United States government focused on those priorities and then
hold the line elsewhere, and that's what his budgets do.
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I
But, actually, that's -- or would it be anything more like,
say, returning to a Gramm-Rudman type environment, or advocating a
cap on deficit spending?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It will be very clear in his
speech to the American people that the President takes fiscal
discipline very seriously.
I
How's he going to persuade those naysayers about the
reinvestment accounts to jump on board, but then, especially, when
you're saying that nation i coming out of the recession, going into
economic recovery? How are you going to sway people, especially --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Reinvest accounts -- Social
Security?
Q
Yes. How are you going to sway people to do that,
especially when people are still scared right now, somewhat, to
invest in the stock market?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I think that -- actually,
I don't know if I agree with the premise. I think that a lot of
Americans understand the nature of the stock market. More than 60
million Americans are invested in the stock market. The issue of
Social Security reform --
I
But people are scared right now, because of the way the
economy
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I understand. And a lot of the
reasons why they're scared is because of the way the politics on this
issue has been played in the past, much like the issues of politics
were played on Medicare. We saw how that debate went, but we were
able to the President was able to lead the Congress in order to
come forward and enact real reforms on Medicare. The issue of Social
Security will be very difficult, as well, because of the history we
have of this debate, and that sometimes people put politics ahead of
the principles of real reform.
But our fiscal situation now is one which requires fiscal
discipline, but it doesn't -- it should not prevent us from
addressing long-term fiscal issues of Social Security. And the
President feels very strongly that -- and the way to bring fiscal
sovereignty to the Social Security issue is to allow people to have
individual control over part of their Social Security their
retirement savings.
And we'll work with the Congress. We've submitted a commission
on this. They came out with three proposals, all of which include
Social Security accounts of some sort. It's time for the Congress to
have this discussion on this issue. I'm sure they're going to want
to have their own studies done, they're going to want to look at this
issue. We've engaged with the public on this. It's important that
this debate continue. It's not going to be solved overnight. But as
the President has demonstrated every year, and as he demonstrated as
a candidate in 2000, that this is an issue that he thinks is so
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important that those types of criticism shouldn't hold us back from
moving forward.
I
But for Tuesday night -- since you're saying it's so
difficult -- for Tuesday night, will he go into it a little bit
more? What will he specifically say? If we could get that out of
you, to kind of say (laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The American people understand
the President's commitment to making sure that Social Security is
there for them.
I
Two quick questions. First, do you have a time on this
speech, at this point, how long it will be?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Not at this point, but I think
you can expect it to be -- I think all three speeches have been
within about 10 minutes of each other, and I wouldn't expect anything
different here.
Q
But the last two --
I
Was it 30?
I
No, it was longer than 30 --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The low 50s, wasn't it? Right
around -- anywhere from 51 to 58, I believe. As far as word count,
we'll be roughly in the same range we've been in the past couple of
years.
I
The last two State of the Union speeches had a big
component about foreign policy. The first one was about the axis of
evil, last year it was about preparation for war in Iraq. Is this
going to be predominately a domestic policy speech? Should we be
looking for a major, new foreign policy initiative of some sort? Or
is this a year in which you're going to consolidate your foreign
policy?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, we're -- let's not
forget, we're a nation still at war. There is still 140,000 men and
women serving in our military across the globe, fighting the war on
terror. And I think the public understands that. And the President
surely does. And he's speaking not only as President, but Commander-
in-Chief to the American people about where we are in the war on
terror, about steps as we go forward, some of the positive impact
that we've had based on the difficult choices we've made as a country
in response to being attacked. And so it'll be a significant portion
of the speech. And any time that you're a nation at war, it's a
important part of the state of our union. So he will talk about
those issues at length.
I
When Americans hear this, will they see this as a vision of
how to move forward over not just one year, but into a second term?
Will this be a political document?
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SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I think the change and
the vision and the goals that we have outlined for the American
people are of historic consequence and ones that can be made great
progress on in a course of a year. But it's a commitment by a
country to go in a particular direction that's going to lead to
lasting peace and prosperity.
The President has always said, for example, the war on terror is
not going to be won in a short period of time, that this is going to
take a -- it's, frankly, a generational commitment in order to win.
So the President is putting our country on -- we are on a trajectory
of a long-term commitment to ensuring the peace and security of our
country, and the world, for that matter, as well as the type of
economic propriety as we enter into the 21st century.
These are important -- this is an important debate, it's
important issues on the table of historic consequence, and as the
President outlines -- continues to outlines his vision of the path we
are on, this is one in which the country will be committed to for
years to come.
Q
So is it a political speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I did not say that.
Q
Just filling in on Alex's question, when you answered it,
you said that he would tell the American people a lot of things.
But, obviously, axis of evil hit a foreign audience pretty hard, the
Iraq stuff hit a foreign audience pretty hard. Is it time now, in
this speech, maybe to reassure the international community about the
softer side of U.S. power, whether it's peace efforts in the Sudan,
for example, which recently ramped up?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the peace efforts in
Sudan area at a very important stage. We don't -- when his speech is
delivered, won't dictate the terms of the peace agreement. But those
are things
Q
No, no, that's not what I was saying.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Right. Well, I think what the
State of the Union provides is an opportunity for the President to
take a step back and give context to the action that has been taken
over the course of a year or several years. And there have been
important developments that have taken place, as a consequence of
liberating nearly 50 million Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq. And
we've seen important progress made in areas on the international
stage. And I think the American people want to hear about that from
their President. He will talk about those things.
And I think that there is, from an international audience, I
think that what they 11 hear is the resolve and determination,
commitment for the American people and the United States of America
to fulfill the commitments and endeavors that they've undertaken.
Q
Will he also lay out very specifically some of the
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challenges that we continue to face and how we have to deal with
weapons proliferation, in terms of Iran, Syria, North Korea, and
other countries?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I think what the -- the
President has been very consistent that, guided by some principles of
how why we take action, particularly in a post-9/11 world, to make
this world more safe. And he will continue to speak to those issues
in a way that I think will be very clear about how members of the
international community can better their standing, how we can work to
make ourselves more secure. There are some of these initiatives
we've talked about at length in the past.
It is a State of the Union address, so you can't really -- you
don't go into too much detail on a lot of these different issues, but
I think it will be clear, for those who listen to the President talk
about our foreign policy agenda, that it's one in which it's going to
be to work with countries and make us more peaceful and secure.
I
Will he also be sending a very clear message to possible
adversaries?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the intention of our
State of the Union is to talk about the state of our union, and
outline some of our specific goals to make ourselves more secure and
to spread peace and freedom throughout the world. The President has
talked about some of this when he was in London. Obviously, he
talked about the need for democratic reforms to reach all aspects of
the Middle East. That's something that he feels very passionate
about, and I think I can say that you expect him to talk at length
about that, for example.
So there are items that he will talk about there. But there's a
lot of positive things and progress that's being made. And by that
progress, it sets a clear example for other countries to follow.
Q
-- the problem that you had in last year's State of the
Union, with the uranium sentence. How has the vetting for this
speech changed over last year?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I'm sure there's been
procedural assurances being made, but I imagine through an experience
like that, the people who are looking at it will understand their
responsibility is to look very closely.
Q
Last year the President spent a great deal of time talking
about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Will he address that in
this speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, he'll talk about the
decisions he made in Iraq were important, why they were the right
decisions, and the path that we are on to making Iraq peaceful and
secure and prosperous, and that it's difficult work ahead. He will
be very straightforward in that regard, and talk about why the
actions we take were the right ones.
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Q
Will he make, sort of, any and "explanation," maybe, is
not the right word -- but why only programs have been found, and not
actual weapons of mass destruction? As you know, David Kay is about
to deliver his next report to Congress. It was a major part of the
President's speech last year. How will he address that issue of WMD
not being found?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The first interim report
demonstrated that Saddam Hussein was in violation of the very strict
Resolution 1441 that was passed, based upon what they had found even
at the earliest stages. The President will talk, like I said, about
the decisions we made, why they're the right ones, and why it was
important for us to take those decisions. It will be very clear to
the American people that the reasoning behind it and how it's
making a critically important part of the world more secure and
safer, meaning that will also make the United States more safe.
Q
Can I just ask a little color? Was there anything that the
President specifically said at the beginning of this, in drafting the
State of the Union, where he said, I really want this to be in there,
or I've been thinking about that? Was there something, or just a
larger sort of tone, or anything else that he directed in his staff
as they started to prepare?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Some of these things are
obvious. I think the one that he I always find him coming back
to, that he's really passionate about, and I think if anybody saw him
yesterday down in New Orleans, is the faith-based issues. He really
understands the role he can play in heralding the success of these
types of programs and the things we can do as a government, sometimes
to help and sometimes to get out of the way, to make sure that these
people reach the lives that need to be saved. And it's something
that is just -- he always comes back to it. He gets frustrated when
he looks at his calendar, as we look in the coming weeks and months
as we try to plan ahead, if there's not events or opportunities for
him to speak to that issue. For some reason, that's the one that
jumps out at me right off the top of my head.
Q
Quickly on what Norah was asking about in his speech. I'm
sure you saw some Democrats today say, the President owes the
American people an explanation about the pre-war intelligence part of
last year's speech. I assume you disagree with that. And, secondly,
in the context of color, does he directly acknowledge at all that
he's a candidate for reelection? How do you deal with the politics
this year in his speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Again, this is the time where
the President of the United States is speaking to the country about
the state of the union. And Presidents are required to give that
speech every year that they're in office, whether it be an election
year or not. So there is plenty of time for politics.
Q
But in the midterm years he made a brief aside about how it
was a political year.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm sorry?
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Q
In the midterm year, if I remember right, there was a brief
aside about how it was a political year, but he wanted people to do
their business before they went home to do their politics.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, because a lot of things
that he was talking specifically about there was the business before
Congress, and that Congress had responsibilities before it left to go
home to campaign for their reelection. What the President
articulated is, I'm going to focus on my business, as I state to you
the state of our union, the vision and the agenda we must pursue. So
actually I think that's -- there's a consistency there, that the
President is focused on his responsibilities, just like they should
have been in the midterm, focused on theirs.
And the issue about -- again about Iraq, and the decisions being
made, the President is quite proud, not only of the decision we made,
but the skill and courage and sacrifice so many of our fellow
Americans have made in order to liberate a country and make our
country more safe and secure. There will be little doubt in
anybody's mind, after hearing the President of the United States
speak about this issue, that he feels passionately that not only did
we make the right decision, but this decision will have lasting
consequences for the better of not only the United States of America,
but for the entire world.
Q
The President, on these subjects, a number of times when he
travels around the country, when you're crafting a speech like this,
how do you go about it so that the end product doesn't come across
like a typical fundraising speech that he delivers? (Laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's just totally different, in
a lot of different ways. The way it's written -- you could probably
tell me better than I know, because you've probably had to sleep
through a few of them a few more than I.
Because of the audience, because of the venue, because of the
type of territory you've got to cover, it's just a different type of
speech. It's not really a policy speech, or something like that,
where you go into a lot of detail about any specific issue. What
you're outlining are the goals of the country and how you hope to
achieve those goals. It's very directional, in a sense, and tonal,
which is sometimes different than some of the things you do while
you're speaking to a specific community or specific constituency or
something like that.
It's just -- so I've never we've really never really found
that type of problem. Now there are some I guess sometimes he
will be comfortable with a certain line or two that he'll want to use
again in the State of the Union, or he used maybe in a past speech
that he'll want to use again. But I've never really -- it's
interesting, I've never really found that to be much of tension or a
problem.
Q
Can you talk about having different groups trying to get
the President -- trying to get different pieces into the speech,
different agencies, outside groups, as the competition for a piece of
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the speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm heavily involved in that.
You know, it's -- internally, and within the administration, it's
:
you could rightfully expect people who spend every day of their lives
on a certain issue, you could understand why, my gosh, this is so
important this issue ought to be in the State of the Union. And it's
pretty prized real estate, the State of the Union. I don't know how
many times I've heard, I just need one line, that's all it takes.
(Laughter.)
It's like, well and it's funny, because the President is --
his radar on this is unbelievable, because he really knows the
difference between the -- he's very good at his speeches. He likes
to be, obviously, very logical and to flow a certain way. And he can
see it from a mile away when somebody has crowbarred in something
that is -- just sticks out. It's like, who wanted to put this in?
It becomes a big issue of Inspector Clouseau to say, I bet I guess
who wanted X, Y or Z. (Laughter.)
Now I know you're going to want an example. I'm not going to
give you an example, but it's something that it's an annual ritual.
And I think what's happened over now that we're doing our fourth
one, that people recognize that you better have a very good argument
to get it in there, because it's -- like I said, it's pretty prized
real estate.
Q
On fiscal discipline concern, not only here, but also among
the President's Republican supporters on the Hill, is it fair for us
to say that there will be no expensive new initiatives?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's a pretty good setup. I
like that.
What's important to understand, in every proposal the President
makes, that it fits in the context of his overall budget proposal.
We've talked about budget proposals that for the course of the last
three years have put us on a steady trajectory of spending discipline
when it comes to those things that are not directly related to
fighting and winning the war on terror or helping our economy.
You've seen the numbers we inherited last time. The non-homeland,
non-defense discretionary spending was at 15 percent. That has
steadily gone down to 4 percent, and we will continue to see that go
down.
The overall budget that the President proposes, as he did last
year, will be about -- and aligned the same as how much America's
paychecks grow, which is roughly about 4 percent. And that includes
the parts in which we are fighting to win the war on terror. Those
are
Q
That's all --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That is for the entire budget.
So whatever the President talks about, whether it be space policy or
whether it be Medicare policy, education policy, all those things, it
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all fits in the context. And what that requires is for choices to be
made. And the President, and our administration, have made the right
choices, as far as realigning our government's expenditures to fit
and reflect the nation's priorities.
Q
Well, within that, then, understanding that you can move
monies around and eliminate programs that aren't working, or
whatever, and bring on others, will there be any expensive new
proposals?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Like I said earlier, the
President strongly believes the American people will take away from
the State of the Union that we're a country that is committed to.
fiscal discipline.
Q
Should I take that as a "no"?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I will leave it at that. I
will leave it at that.
Q
Is the President going to talk about the immigration issue?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: This is a policy that he
outlined at the beginning of this year. It's something that he feels
very passionately about. And I think it's safe to say that he'll
have something to say about it in the State of the Union.
Q
Who are the guests, celebrity and non-celebrity, average
citizens? And what is the state of this union?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You will be there Tuesday night
to find out both.
Q
I want to know now. (Laughter.)
Q
She's got plans. (Laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Baby-sitter get lined up.
Q
Your invitation is in the mail.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We don't want to take away the
child tax credit, do we?
Q
Can we rule out Paul O'Neill in the gallery? (Laughter.)
Q
Can we rule out any of the Kings?
Q
Yes, Michael Jackson, too. (Laughter.)
Q
Is the President going to --
Q
This is digressing -- (laughter.)
Q
You keep trying to draw at least a drop or two of the
politics of this, but you're when you're planning either the
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President's speech or your efforts to communicate and sell the speech
-- I mean, obviously, he does the traditional travel the day after --
you're the day after the Iowa Caucuses and a week before the New
Hampshire Primary. That has to go into your thinking about what you
want to do.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I mean, we can't control
their process. Whether we had done it on the 20th or we had done it
the following week, on the day of New Hampshire, their political
process is underway. I think the public knows how to differentiate
the two, that they expect their President every year to speak to them
about the status of our country and the direction we are headed. And
I think they understand that there is a very spirited debate going on
in the Democratic Party, for them to determine who is going to be
their nominee. And when they select their nominee, they 11 think at
that time it's important for the two candidates to outline their
visions and differences and go to the public with it.
But at this time, I think they see the difference between the
two, so we'll go about doing our schedule of speaking to the country
and then going out and traveling the country to talk about some of
those priorities.
Q
Why is he going to Ohio?
Q
What's in Roswell, New Mexico?
I
Beginning of the space program.
I
Green men.
I
Are there really little green men?
I
Any reason Toledo, Ohio?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: As we flush out why we're
the subject matter we're talking about, it will make sense. I mean,
don't over-interpret the -- I wouldn't, I don't think, over-interpret
the decision.
I
You said several times that the American people will take
away from the speech that the President is serious about fiscal
discipline for the country. Since this is also a speech to Congress,
will he have a message to Congress that he intends, more so than in
the past, to be a fiscal disciplinarian?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He'll make it very clear that
he takes it seriously. And this happens in individual pieces of
legislation, as well as in the overall context of, whether it be the
omnibus bill that's still being unfortunately debated, or the future
ones that will take place. We've got a -- there will be a discussion
about the budget agreement for the coming spring that they'll have to
make, which gives the parameters in which they do appropriations
bills. So there will be plenty of opportunity for the President to
make clear the importance of fiscal discipline.
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Q
Is he taking a message different from the past where the
emphasis is, deficits aren't so important, to maybe more serious
attention to, deficits do matter?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think the President has been
consistent on that front, that it matters. And I think it will be
clear in the speech, as well.
Ω
Is there one specific thing that you could give us today,
other than -- although your description of the overall process is
inspiring -- (laughter) -- and informative, but is there a single
specific thing that you would like to --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I usually do this on the
phone. (Laughter.) This is kind of
Q
Is there any concrete thing you'd like to share with us at
this point?
Q
Please?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I value my job. (Laughter.)
This is fortress Bush, what are you talking about?
Q
Special pleader --
Q
Special tax rate for parents of twins? (Laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Now you're on to something.
Q
Scott gave the impression that there was a practice session
this morning, but it wasn't the President reading the speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No, no, he had an editing
session. He did not have a practice session.
Q
And so you're saying the first time will be Sunday, that
he'll do that?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Probably, yes.
Q
When he comes back from Camp David he'll go over
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We're not -- no, he's not going
to practice it. We're going to do editing at Camp David, we're not
going to do an actual walk through. We'll do a walk through back at
the White House.
Q
On Sunday night?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, late Sunday afternoon.
Q
In the theater?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Probably, yes. And then he'll
do it on Monday, as well.
Q
What points will he be making when he travels after the
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State of the Union? What's the purpose of that?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's going to go to the points
he makes in the State of the Union.
Q
What points would he make? (Laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's a good back door -- I
like that, I like the attempt. The Roswell phase, he's coming from a
couple different angles. (Laughter.)
Q
Disabuse us of this notion, because we're going to really
write about it over the weekend --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That what?
I
He's going to look for space aliens, or something.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Oh, no. I can tell you that I
believe the Roswell we'll be talking about the war on terror there.
I
What are you going to do Monday and Tuesday on this?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: What?
Q
Monday and Tuesday on this, are you doing any briefings
Monday, Tuesday?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: For --
Q
State of the Union.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Briefings to who, for you all?
Q
Press, yes.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'll be repetitive.
Q
Those of us who are going to have to explain.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll keep you posted.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
END
2:50 P.M.
EST
1/16/2004
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Ritacco, Krista L.
From: Suntum, Margaret M.
Sent:
Friday, January 16, 2004 6:06 PM
Subject: Bartlett backgrounder on SOU with print reporters
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Internal Transcript
January 16, 2004
BACKGROUND BRIEFING TO PRINT REPORTERS
BY A SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL
ON THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Room 180
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
3:15 P.M. EST
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: This is on background. If
there's some kind of big-picture summary sentence or two, if I wax
eloquent enough, maybe we -- if you want to revisit a line or two, or
something like that, maybe we can put it on the record. But for the
most part, this is on background.
The State of the Union process, we've benefitted by the fact of
having the practice of doing three of these. And the process started
last fall. Mainly because of the budget process, you have to start
making decisions in order to get the budget prepared for the coming
year, in case there's policy direction or issues to that effect. So
the President, this team, we were meeting, as we typically do in
October, early November. Our first meeting with the President was
probably middle of November, to start talking about the big-picture
aspects of substance and things that he wanted to talk about in the
coming year.
And then our goal was to have, with that direction, the
speechwriters could then start kind of thinking more structurally
about the speech. And then, traditionally, what we do is have a
pretty detailed outline that the President can take with him over the
Christmas holiday down to the ranch. And that did take place.
I
It did?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, it did, yes. And he was
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able to take something for him to chew on. And then when he came
back, he was able to give some direction.
The only difference I guess this year -- a week makes a pretty
big difference, and doing it on the 20th instead of the 28th did make
a difference as far as from a preparation standpoint, just because
people got back late and things like that. So the speechwriters were
even more stressed than usual. But we're in a pretty good position
now. The President had an editing session today. He's not to the
point where he's practicing yet; he'll probably start the
TelePrompter type practice on Sunday afternoon. He'll be going to
Camp David, which we'll be working on it up there tomorrow with some
editing sessions. We're already in the double digits on the drafts -
- which can be a little misleading because if you change one word,
they turn another draft. So it's really much into the editing
sessions of the speech. Editing/lobbying session of the speech.
(Laughter.)
And like I said, we'll work on it tomorrow and he'll probably
practice back here at the White House on Sunday afternoon, as well as
on Monday. But he feels real good about where we are as far as the
process.
Q
Can you name the team and does Karen play a role
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Karen, on big speeches, has
always played a role. She's definitely involved, mostly by email,
but she'll be up at Camp David with us this weekend.
Q
Was she at the ranch?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: She might have stopped up there
Q
She came down I think
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: But not for the State of the
Union.
Q
Who is the core team
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the chief speechwriters
and the top senior staff who would deal with this, the obvious
Q
You mentioned this earlier this year. Why January 20th,
and was it designed to come between Iowa and New Hampshire?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No. Look, there's so many
primaries and so many days. I mean, if it would have been next week,
it could have been on the day of New Hampshire. Every year we talk
to the Congress and congressional leadership; they have a calendar
they're trying to keep, as well. So this turned out for both our
sake and their sake to be the right day.
Q
Do you have any kind of a window that -- historically, you
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have to choose from?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't think there's any
statutory requirements, more just kind of precedent more than
anything else.
I
You don't have to do it in January?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Where's Mark Knoller when you
need him? (Laughter.) I don't think so.
I
It used to be in March, or something --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Oh, really?
Q
You work with the Congress on the date?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We talk to the leadership about
it. But I would have to find out. I don't know how -- like I said,
it's a combination of a lot of factors. But it always seems, at
least recent history, to be somewhere in the last two weeks of
January.
Q
Can you talk about the lobbying a little bit, at this late
stage?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the best way I could
describe it, both -- in terms of White House administration, is that
you have a lot of people who spend incredible amount of time and have
incredible amount of expertise on very specific issues. And you can
probably imagine how important they believe that issue is. But the
State of the Union is pretty prime real estate, and there's not room
for everything. I have to say, if I had a dollar for every time they
say, all I need is one line, sir, that's all we need. And the
speechwriters I think very much reflect the President's thinking on
how a speech ought to be constructed. There ought to be a lot of
logic to how it unfolds. And his radar is incredible when it comes
to finding a spot where somebody has crowbarred in a line or two
because it just kind of becomes disjointed. And then it becomes --
I'm not going to give you an example of who got -- who might get
ratted out, but it's kind of a Inspector Clouseau process of who is
the one who decided to put this line in there, because he can usually
determine who it is based on the topic.
So that happens. But I think also, because it's not our first
one, it's our fourth one, people have come to expect that there are
decisions that are made about the strategic direction of the speech,
and then if it doesn't fit in that, it does make it kind of
disjointed. And the President hasn't been one to do kind of a
laundry list type State of the Union. That's not been his approach.
He views the State of the Union as an opportunity to speak directly
to the American people about the direction of our country, about the
issues we are facing, and why if he is optimistic about it and the
direction we're headed.
And it's interesting, looking at that -- for this President,
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particularly for the last three years, it's been quite clear what the
priorities or what the issues are facing this country. And
sometimes it requires a President to educate the public about what
the important issue of the day is. But in this case, when we're a
nation at war, we're a nation coming out of an economic recession, on
the cusp of what we believe is lasting economic growth and
prosperity, those are two very big issues in which the public is very
focused on -- rightfully so -- the President is focused on, and looks
forward to talking about. Because as he will speak on Tuesday night,
he will have a very optimistic and positive tone, because what he has
seen in the American people, they have responded to the challenges
that we face. It's been an extraordinary three years, and we're
meeting a lot of important historical tests that this country has
been asked to respond to.
Obviously, the first and most important responsibility that a
President has and a government has is to protect its people. We are
a nation still at war. He's going to speak at length about the
actions we have taken over the course of last year and the path we're
on of assuring that the country and our world is a safer more
peaceful place to live.
And it's important I think as the public what the public
often is looking for in a State of the Union is context. They see
everything that's out there, they know it's out there, but what the
Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States can provide is
context of what they are seeing and hearing and paying attention to.
And there has been a lot of change. There's been a lot of change on
the international front because of the actions that are being taken.
And he's going to talk about why that change is for the better, that
change is for pursuing and making our world more safe.
There's a lot of change going on here at home, and we are an
economy that's transitioning into the 21st century, coming out of an
economic recession. And the new challenges that those changes pose
he believes are good ones. They're good changes that are going to
turn into lasting prosperity, but there are responsibilities that our
government has, and our country has, to ensure that. And he's going
to be speaking to some of those further steps that we can take in
order to make sure that we stay on this path.
And so while there are big changes happening on the
international scale and here at home, he'll also speak to the fact
that there are some things that don't change in our country, and it's
some of those things that make our country strong and good and gives
the character of our country, whether it be the strength of our
families, the strength of our schools, the strength of our faith-
based institutions. These institutions are things in which -- that
have become the bedrock of our society and he'll speak to some of
those issues, as well.
It's a speech that will talk at length about the big issues of
the day that have important historical context, and that the
trajectory we are on as a country is one to which there is more
peaceful and prosperous country and world. And so it will be a very
forward-looking speech, but also one that takes stock in the
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accomplishments we've made to date.
Q
Could that be on the record?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: What, that last?
Q
Yes, the last two paragraphs there.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'll make a note of that. I
need to talk to the Press Office.
Q
You were waxing eloquent, actually.
Q
You're their boss.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I've already had one
session, the problem is, and I have some of your colleagues I have to
take into consideration.
Q
I fear you may not be this eloquent again. (Laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We can solve that. I can just
leave right now. (Laughter.)
Q
Can you talk a little bit about some of the specifics on
the economic front that you think he 11 be raising?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm not going to go through
details of what the President is going to talk about. But what's
important, what the President has seen is that in a changing economy
it's important that we continue to create jobs to make sure that this
economic recovery turns into lasting prosperity. But it's also
important that we recognize that, in a changing economy, the new
types of jobs of the 21st century requires us to ensure that the
workers of America have the necessary skills to meet those new jobs,
to fill those new jobs. And he'll speak about that.
He'll obviously talk passionately about the actions we've taken
to get us to the point where we are, which we do have strong economic
growth, and that now is not the time, for example, to turn our backs
on the taxpayers of America. So those are issues that he will be
very eager to talk about.
Q
You mean making the tax cuts permanent that have been
enacted on his watch?
Q
And Social Security.
I
And he's going to revive the Social Security proposal?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He is -- he ran for it
initially as a presidential candidate, and every year that he's been
in office, he has talked about the issue of Social Security reform.
It's something that he still feels strongly about.
Q
And also will he review the tax cuts on health access
savings that he proposed last year, too?
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SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll put forward a budget that
reflects the priority -- the agenda the President has talked about,
and he'll speak to those specific issues. And he will definitely
talk about the issue of in this changing economy and as we go to the
21st century, that one of the challenges is the rising cost of the
health care. And he'll talk about several things that we are doing
as a country, and as an administration to address those costs.
I
Will he go beyond his tax credits?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: There are a lot of different
ways to address the issue of the rising cost of health care. One of
the main drivers of a significant section of the uninsured in America
is because of the rising costs of health care. And those can be
addressed from several different ways, which he'll talk about on
Tuesday.
Q
You were saying this is supposed to be a very forward-
looking speech. To what extent is it different when you're doing it
in year four, and you're running for reelection? Is it a political
speech? Will it be perceived that way? And the second thing is,
when the President talks about Iraq, will he try to lay out a
forward-looking agenda, a timetable for the American public, who are
obviously very interested in knowing what's the end-game?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, there's a very specific
timetable for Iraq that we're following, and it's one in which we are
helping the Iraqi people transition into a democracy. There's a very
well-known date associated there with the 1st of July, in order to
meet some
Q
Will he mention that date?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He'll make it very clear that
we're working on the transition to turn over sovereignty to the Iraqi
people, of course. That's something that we've been very publicly
behind and supportive of. He'll talk about the challenges that
remain there, about the strategy that's underway in order to secure
the country and transition to a democracy. It's difficult work, but
it's important work. And he'll talk about the incredibly positive
consequences that have and will take place by doing what we did in
Iraq. It will be a very important part of the speech. It's
something that he feels passionately about and will speak about the
actions taken there, the actions we've taken on the war on terror.
We're at an important point in the war on terror. We've made a
lot of progress, but it's very important that we stay on the
offensive, that we remain aggressive in order to prevail. And like I
said, he'll speak at length about where we are. And we are a country
still at war, so he, as the Commander-in-Chief and President of the
United States, he will.
To get to you to the other part of your question, it is the
fourth year of his term. It is -- and he recognizes that. But on
Tuesday night, he addresses the American people as President of the
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United States. There is a process that's underway in which the other
party is determining who its nomination is going to be. And once
they do that, there will be plenty of time for debate about the
differing visions for America. He looks forward to that. He's still
loosening up. (Laughter.)
But I think the -- I think what the public will see from the
President, what the American people can take away is somebody that
has had a very consistent policy vision and governing style. The
direction we're on, we're on course to continue to make America
safer, continue to make it more prosperous. And he's looking forward
-- just like he said to the Congress during the midterms, that year
in the State of the Union, he said, I know that there's a midterm
election, but we have business to do. He recognizes that in this
year, as well, that the Congress still has work to do, that he's
going to outline to them an agenda in which he expects them to begin
immediately working on. He's going to stay focused on it. And then
the process -- the political process will obviously kick in once the
Democrats have a nominee.
I
Since he will be speaking the night after Iowa, is he going
to make any even glancing reference to the Democratic competition?
Is he going to make any reference at all in the speech to the
political arena?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Like, last night there was a
caucus? No, I don't think -- not that specific, no.
Q
He's not going to say, there will be a time for politics
and it's not now? Or he's not going to ignore -- he's just going to
ignore it?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Ignore it? This is a State of
the Union. What the public tunes into every year is not to talk
about presidential politics. What they want to hear from the
President is what is the state of our union, and what is the course
in which this President he is President for the course of this
year, regardless of what happens in November, he is the President for
this year. And what he says and what he does in the course of the
year has huge consequences for our country. They understand that
because he's the President of the United States. So that's what they
want to hear from him on this day.
There will be plenty of time: They know they're going to hear
about once the democratic process produces a nominee, at that
point it's proper and appropriate and expected for them to engage in
what would be the general election. But we're not there yet.
I
But you're not saying -- this is the biggest platform that
he's going to have until the convention. You're not saying that
there isn't serious political thought here at the White House that
goes into this speech, are you?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The President understands that
he will be judged by the American people by doing in office what he
said he would do and to outlining an agenda that meets the needs and
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priorities of the American people. And he's going to speak to
those. And then, as the process continues and as the year unfolds,
the political process will be there.
It will be very clear to the public about where this position
stands -- where this President stands on the issues of the day. We
have taken incredibly bold and historic steps in this administration
on behalf of the American people. We were required to, as a result
of September 11th and as result of our economic recession. We've
acted in a very aggressive way, and I think that the American people
appreciate that. And he's going to talk about the further actions
that we need -- to make sure that we turn this into -- like I said --
into lasting security and prosperity.
Q
Just one more. Does the campaign have any input into this
speech? Are they one of the lobbyists?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No.
I
They don't have any campaign officials do not have any
input into the State of the Union speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I haven't heard -- not that I
know of. I don't know how you would describe that.
Q
Well, Rove does, right?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's not in the campaign.
Q
He's not in the campaign, okay --
I
So you've proven Hillman wrong. (Laughter.) Last year's
speech the President devoted a great deal of time to making the case
for war against Iraq, predicated upon the threat of Iraq's weapons.
Will he address, in this speech, in any way the -- outline concerns
about the absence of such weapons at this point?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It will be clear to the
American people as the President speaks about the issue of Iraq, that
he will it will be clear the decision we made, the decision he
made on Iraq was the right decision. That it was good for the Iraqi
people, it's good for the American people, and it's good for the
world. It has made our country, our world safer. It has made our
it's had enormous consequence in a part of the world that needs to
see change. He's talked at length about this in the past. He will
talk about that on Tuesday night. The actions he has taken he is
proud of. He's proud of the actions that our American military men
and women have taken in order to make it a reality in certain
circumstances. And it will be clear in the American people's mind
that the President is very comfortable with the decision we made and
that, as a country, we ought to be proud of the actions we've taken
because it will, and is making us a safer country and a safer world.
Q
Can I ask you about a new vetting process after what
happened last year with the uranium the 16 words? Have you
changed the way the speech is being looked at?
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SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: You know, I don't -- I'm sure
that the process will make sure that those responsible for certain
subject matter view it, but I think it's safe to say that, after the
experience of the past year, that those who are looking at it will
look very closely.
Q
You don't want to do that again in July? (Laughter.)
Q
Is there going to are there going to be any surprises in
the speech along the lines of --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It wouldn't be a surprise if --
I
Should we expect anything like the hydrogen car or the AIDS
-- international AIDS initiative last year? Or do you think he's
going to be pushing basically to finish unfinished business?
Q
Hydrogen car?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It was very much -- actually,
we made a lot of good progress on the hydrogen efforts. And Jim
Connaughton was just telling me last week as he was lobbying -- no.
(Laughter.) But, no -- it's been a part of our budget in order to
fund a hydrogen initiative. It is something, actually, that we've
been pursuing.
Q
I'm not saying -- you don't have to say what it is, but
what will there be any surprises?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's an impossible question
to answer. In every State of the Union, the President has outlined
new initiatives to meet the goals and priorities of the country.
Q
-- like a space program or anything?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We've outlined some pretty big
initiatives, immigration reform.
Q
What about gay marriage and the Constitution?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll talk about immigration
reform. We've talked about space exploration and the need to have a
focused vision. Again, I'm not going to do a laundry list of things
that are in or out of the speech. I just don't think that's
that's not the --
Q
Can you just -- there's only --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Can you just say whether
something's in there? (Laughter.)
Q
Just that one.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, just that one. I'm not
going down a laundry list.
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I
-- on gay -- I mean, is he going to be silent on it?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm not going to go down a
laundry list of issues of what will be in or out.
I
So you guys don't know what to do with that yet?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: What?
I
You don't know what to do with it yet? There's a lot of
pressure on you all from important constituents about it.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't think the President has
been under any pressure.
I
And will there be an opportunity for the President to also
reach across borders and maybe call on other nations to step up in
Iraq, will he approach that theme at all?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I think he'll he'll
actually talk about there's a lot of positive things happening, both
in Iraq, because international community is engaged. There are many
countries that are participating in Iraq. He'll talk about those
efforts. He'll talk about how countries working together can effect
world change for peace, whether it be the important developments that
are happening, for example, in Libya and other areas.
It is important to show that how we work together in the war on
terror, for example, that as our international partners work together
on this, that we can be effective and prevail. So he'll talk about
international cooperation on these issues.
I
How is he going to handle the axis of evil? I know he's
probably not going to mention the phrase again, but is he going to
revisit the three nations he named and talk about them in context, as
rogue nations?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, it's a little different
because one is no longer rogue, one is now on the path to freedom.
I
-- revisit it, reprise it in some way?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: When we talk about the foreign
policy agenda, and you talk about how we're confronting threats, the
issues the ones that were part of the axis of evil and others, are
a part of how we're achieving peace and those -- SO he'll discuss
those issues.
I
Will he talk -- it's a threat?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No.
I
And is foreign policy first, or domestic policy?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I know that. I guess I'm just
trying to -- yes, we're a nation at war.
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I
So foreign policy is first?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We're a nation at war, and he's
going to he will open up talking about where we are in the war on
terror.
I
How can he say we're a nation at war? We're sort of in an
occupying manhunt stage now. It's not really a war anymore, is it?
Does he still bear this full burden of Commander in Chief?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That's a very good question
because there are people who think -- who almost, at times, want to
treat this as if we are not a nation at war. But we are. We're very
much at war. Ask the 140,000 men and women of our military who are
working throughout the world and sacrificing to make sure that we win
the war on terror. It's happening in different cities and caves and
countries throughout the world.
It's very much a war. I think we were reminded of that over the
holiday season when we saw the threat level increase. We're a nation
that still is threatened by terrorists. It's unconventional in
aspects. There are conventional aspects of it, but a lot of it is
unconventional, that you won't see every day, that's not movement of
troops or ships or tanks, but it's still very much a nation at war.
Q
Are we always going to be a nation at war, then?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, it's a -- there are
the nature of this war, some would say the same -- would have said
the same thing about the Cold War, I guess, that it's going to take a
generational commitment to fight and defeat terror because of the
nature of it. And you have to be very methodical and patient and
track them down and hunt them down one by one.
But that's an important question. Like I said, there's
sometimes debate going on in this country that really asks the
question whether we are a nation really at war. And I think the
President will make it very clear. I think the public understands
that we are. You don't have to go far from communities that have
military installations and not let them know that we are a nation
still at war.
Q
If I understand your answer to Elizabeth's question right,
you'll do international first and then domestic second, which will be
a flip from what happened last time.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That is true.
Q
So people will interpret that, then, as a shift in the
President's priorities
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I disagree. It's more
you've got to understand, from a delivery purpose of the speech, as
well. You've got to remember from last year, he was, in large part,
making a case for why military action would might be necessary.
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And if you remember, there's very few times where you could almost
hear a pin drop in the Congress.
And try to imagine flipping it the other way in which you have
that very somber address about a nation at war, and go, now, let's
turn to the economy. It's just -- you almost -- you had to end on
that point. So there's a lot of it you have to think about it as
actual delivery purposes. It's not just saying, well, we want to
talk about this first and talk about that last. You've got to think
about how the public is going to be interpreting this and hearing
this. A lot of us, we talk about this every day. For the public,
this might be the one time they clue in. And you've got to think
about how people react to hearing things. So I wouldn't over
interpret in that respect.
Q
But it's not because of an election year the President has
returned his attention, his focus to issues at home? That's the way
it will come across, is that he will rouse to domestic issues rather
than
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think the way we looked at
it is that, in this case, we are a nation that is at war. I think
the public would think as they tune in, the first thing they want to
hear about is where we are in that war.
Q
The immigration plan the President put forward has been
greeted skeptically both by Democrats and Republicans on the Hill,
and especially conservatives out across the country. Is the
President going to try to craft, or retry to craft his selling of the
immigration plan in a different way that might help, or is he just
going to keep repeating the same things he's been saying over the
course of the week?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't think you can draw a
final conclusion based on one speech. He'll be talking about
immigration reform a lot. And he'll definitely be talking about it
in the State of the Union.
I
I wanted to ask about jobs. You mentioned earlier that the
economy will be something that will be a focus of the speech.
There's been a recovery, but there hasn't been big creation of jobs.
Without saying what he's going to outline, how significant a piece of
the speech will he focus on jobs?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think it's a very important
part of the speech that the President's going to talk about. We are
an economy that is going through great change, as we come out of the
challenges we faced in the last three years; economic -- recession
and the bursting of the stock bubble and war -- the resiliency has
been incredible. And the President is going to talk about that, and
talk about how the American people have responded, but that
challenges remain. And I think he'll demonstrate that he's not
satisfied with the progress that we've made, and he'll speak directly
those issues related to jobs.
Q
What's the significance of the travel on the day or two
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after? What are venues in Ohio and Arizona?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll fill in that later. I
think there was a little bit of that we were going to talk about
our guest worker program in Roswell, space aliens or something. I
just want to make sure that that doesn't get out of control.
(Laughter.)
I
You're not? (Laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Are you going to cancel your
reservation?
I
New lead. (Laughter.)
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I do think in Roswell we'll be
talking about the war on terror there.
Q
Don't they have some international terrorism center there
or something, if I remember right. An international law enforcement
terror center.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, I don't know. But there
we will be talking about the war on terror. But we'll fill in the
details on the other travel stops.
Q
But it's all State of the Union related, right?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, it will all be kind of --
State of the Union, you talk about a lot of different issues. We'll
be following up on the big issues.
I
Are surrogates doing the same thing, Cabinet members? Who
else is traveling?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, we have I know the day
after we have we're hosting Radio Day at the White House, so there
will be radio
I
It was fun last time.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes. So a lot of Cabinet
members will be participating in that, to talk about the President's
agenda with radio stations from around the country.
Q
Outside in a tent?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes. We're still negotiating
on that.
I
On the lawn?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It was the north side last
time. I think it's
Q
So is Toledo jobs, Phoenix immigration and war on terror in
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Roswell?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: We'll fill all these in next
week.
Q
How long is the speaking time for the speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I would say -- it's hard to say
from how many standing ovations he's going to receive. But as far as
word count, it will probably be roughly in line with the last
couple. So I think -- I've seen the range between 52 minutes and 58
minutes, wasn't it, for the past I don't know -- like I said,
where's Knoller when you need him. I think it will be, as far as
word count, roughly the same. I'll give you all an update on Monday,
after we've been able to practice it.
Q
Proportionally, would you say that domestic and foreign are
fairly even?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I haven't really looked
at it from that standpoint, but he gives a lot of attention to both.
Q
Can you give us a little about the guests?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No, I can't.
Q How about the deficit? Will he have anything besides, our
plan will cut it in half in five years and Congress must hold the
line on spending? Is he going to do anything --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, don't be so dismissive of
a plan to cut the deficit in half in five years. We kind of think
that's required as we're going through a budget process right now for
'05. That's pretty significant steps that are being taken.
The American people know that the President takes fiscal
discipline very seriously, and he's going to talk about the budget in
that regard. And he is putting forward a budget that is fiscally
responsible, that funds our priorities and makes sure that we realign
our priorities throughout our government to make sure that we're good
stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Q
He could talk about it in a different and a more explicit
way than he has so far. He could lay out a plan for deeper spending
cuts, other things he could do to roll back the budget gap.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, what we have outlined,
because we are a nation at war that has to fund a war, to make sure
that we give our men and women every tool necessary to win --
Q
I'm not arguing the point --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, what I'm saying is, we
have a very specific plan -- it's called a budget that will cut
the deficit in half in five years. That is very specific. That
required very difficult choices for a lot of different agencies to
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make sure that we could have that plan in place and stay principled
too that plan. So I don't buy the premise. We've made very
difficult decisions and we made very detailed decisions. That will
come out, what, 10 days after the State of the Union.
Q
Since an election year is a tough year to get legislation
through the Congress, and everybody knows why that is, is the
President going to actually frame his arguments, I challenge Congress
to something that he would be measured against at the end of the
year?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, he'll call on Congress to
act on many of these measures. He doesn't
Q
But does he say, I call on Congress to act this year?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't know the specific
he will call on Congress to act. And he's not expecting them to take
the next year off.
I
Is he going to announce that you're going to need more
money past the $87 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Will he announce that what?
Q
Tell the country that you're going to need more money than
the $87 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, this $87 billion, as was
debated when we passed it through the Congress the first time, that
this will take us through this next calendar year. An enormous
amount of progress will be made since then. And we will come forward
to the Congress at that point, when we determine how much we'll need
then. It would be guesswork, at this point, to try to suggest what
we'll need a year from now in Iraq. I think there is way too much
that will take place between now and then to give a credible answer
to the public or the Congress.
I
-- spending time this weekend trying to figure out how to
hold to that timetable for Iraq?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: How to hold to that timetable
for Iraq?
Q
Yes -- going on about how to deal with Bremer's trip up to
the U.N. and just basically about
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, they'll be there to talk
to the U.N. about the role that they can play. The President has
always said that they could play a very important role when it comes
to, particularly, elections and things like that. So those
discussions will take place. I've heard nothing different than to
say that the time line we're on is one that we will meet.
I
Are you still working on this issue this weekend?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't know. I wasn't in the
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meeting today, so I don't know if there was items that still needed
to be discussed this weekend. There's not a planned meeting for this
weekend up there. He'll be working on the State of the Union.
Q
Given that the President would make a final call before the
speech gets to him, who makes the decisions about what's in and
what's out?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's a -- you didn't see Mike
Gerson's car was washed out there and cleaned? (Laughter.) No, it's
kind of a committee of people. And then the President, in some
cases, has to make the final call.
Q
How big a committee is it?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Very small.
Q
Who is on the committee?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's just a -- obviously it's
your senior staff, for the most part, that's been making these
decisions.
Q
The Vice President?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Oh, sure. If he has you
know, he hasn't really -- to tell you the truth, if there is
something that he specifically thinks, he'll talk about it. He has
not been like in a -- there's not like a formal committee, in which
people come and make presentations. He's not been involved in that
regard, no.
Q
Was there a decision made to separate the space program
announcement and the immigration announcement away from the State of
the Union address, because you thought it might get lost in the
shuffle of all the things that he was going to talk about?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, it's an interesting
point. It is -- both those subjects require extensive kind of
context and explanation, and we didn't believe that it would get its
proper attention unless you dedicated a huge chunk of the State of
the Union, and we've got a lot of issues to talk about in the State
of the Union. So we felt like the better approach is to go ahead and
talk about those before the State of the Union.
Q
Will he mention it again?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He will definitely mention
immigration. I don't know how much we'll talk about the space
policy, since we just did that this week.
Q
Does he mention Libya?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Again, we're going to go
through all the list, but obviously Libya has been a positive
development, something he'll probably reference.
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Q
There are reports that he's making a recess appointment of
Judge Pickering. Is that can you talk about that decision, and
also say whether that's a sign that he's going to make a forceful
case for his judges in the speech?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I haven't heard the -- I've
been in meetings, so I haven't heard the latest. I know that's
something that's under consideration. But the importance of
nominating our judges and confirming judges is something that the
President has spoken a lot about. We'll have to wait to see on
Tuesday about the speech, but I -- that's something that will be
ongoing with the Senate.
I
What about the recess appointment? Is that a possibility?
Is that what you were saying?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Like I said, I don't have the
latest details on that. I'm not ruling it out.
I
Is it something that's been kicked around and considered?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes.
Q
Are there other judges that are being considered, like
Claude Allen --
MR. DUFFY: This is a State of the Union briefing.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Thank you, Trent.
Q
Will Paul O'Neill be in the guest box?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He's meeting us in Roswell.
(Laughter. )
I
Can that be on the record?
I
-- Cabinet member will be --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't know.
Q
Cheney will be there, though, right?
Q
That issue has sort of been addressed, hasn't it?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I haven't been cleared to see
his schedule, SO I don't know. (Laughter.) I assume he's going to
be there.
I
Do you think he'll bring up gay marriage when he's there?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Johnny one-note today.
I
Libya got in. I thought maybe you would want to address
another issue.
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Q
I mentioned this to Scott on the plane yesterday -- college
tuition is going up substantially. Is this something that the
President plans to address?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, college tuition issues
are primarily a state issue. There is a federal role in college
education and funding. We have reauthorization of -- if I recall
correctly -- we have reauthorization of the Higher Education Act this
year. So it will be a debate before the Congress. I don't think
he's going to get into details on that in the State of the Union.
I
Pell grants?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, that's something that's
very important to the President. We've talked about that in the
past. But I'm not going to go down a laundry list, as I said, about
specific items that are going to be in or out.
I
Were the security discussions for this speech any different
than --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think it's been designated,
like it has last year, as a -- I forget the actual terminology, but
it's something like --
Q
National security event?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: National security event, yes.
I
Up at Camp David this week, it will be you, Karl, Karen,
Condi --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Karl's not there. He's out of
town. But Mike Gerson.
I
And Andy Card?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, the Chief, yes.
Q
How important are the follow-ons, like the radio talk hosts
on the lawn, and the little tour that he's doing? Is that a good way
to extend it, or --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Because you cover so much
territory, you're able to shine a specific light on some things you
talked about in the State of the Union that allows you to do that.
It's one thing to address here in Washington, but to be able to go
out into the country and talk about some of the specific items. And
we'll doing that through the course of the weeks to come, is to come
back to some of the issues that he outlines. You can't -- like I
said, you can't always go into a lot of detail in the State of the
Union, so we'll be having follow-on travel and events to go into more
detail.
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I
Radio talk show hosts, show folks. This is the second time
you've done that, right?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It is.
I
Clinton has done it, I know. Is it effective, or --
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think it's -- a larger and
larger amount of Americans get their news and get their information
from radio. It's a very popular venue. We sometimes -- we try to
give them as much attention as possible. This is a unique way in
which they can come here and be able to interview guests in person
for their broadcast. We invite programs from all different political
spectrums. And we found it to be a unique way to -- for us to
communicate the President's agenda.
I
Could we run one quote by you, Dan?
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I thought we just did.
I
"It will be a forward looking speech, but also one that
takes stock of our accomplishments. We're meeting a lot of important
historical tests.
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes.
I
So that's on the record,
SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes, the one that he read.
END
3:50 P.M. EST
1/16/2004
Ritacco, Krista L.
From:
Sherzer, David
Sent:
Friday, January 16, 2004 5:07 PM
To:
Ritacco, Krista L.
Subject:
FW: POOL REPORT #1, 1/16/04
Original Message
From:
Sherzer Press Releases, David
Sent:
Friday, January 16, 2004 4:05 PM
Subject:
POOL REPORT #1, 1/16/04
Dan Bartlett put the following quote on the record for use in State of the Union set-up
reporting:
"It will be a forward looking speech, but also one that takes stock of our
accomplishments We're meeting a lot of important historical tests.
if
Bob Deans
Cox Newspapers
1