White House Gaggle

By Rhianna Fischer-Ortiz
The President’s Schedule

The President attended breakfast with congressional leaders. He then had his usual briefings. At 10:50 the President will meet with President Mikhail Saakashvili of Georgia, where "continuing on political reform" will be discussed. Ambassador Boucher will brief at 12:30 and McClellan will brief at 12:45.

Gay Marriage Amendment

McClellan said that the President will "continue to ask Congress to move promptly" in passing a Constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriages. When asked if this proposal was an election year maneuver to gain conservative votes, McClellan said that "events [are] dictating the need for action," not election politics. McClellan claimed that the President’s proposal reflects the will of the people because the "vast majority of Americans believe that marriage is between a man and a woman." McClellan said that the President wants to ensure that "the voice of the people is heard." Pressed on how homosexual marriage "weakens" the institution of marriage, McClellan referred to the President’s statements yesterday.

Iraq

McClellan would not commit to a specific date on when American troops will leave Iraq. When questioned whether troops will stay past the June 30th deadline, he said that troops "will stay until the job is finished."

Secretary Paige

When asked if Secretary Paige had been asked to resign over his negative remarks regarding teachers’ unions, McClellan dismissed the question, saying that the President "appreciates the efforts of Secretary Paige," though McClellan said the White House had called the remarks "inappropriate." McClellan did say, though, that the two men have not spoken since the remarks. It was suggested by the press that perhaps Secretary Page should be sent to Haiti. (McClellan had nothing new to add on Haiti.)