White House Gaggle

By Joshua Wiersma
White House Gaggle

President’s Schedule

The President attended his regular security briefings this morning. At 10:30, he will meet with Mark McClellan who the President intends to nominate to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. At 11:15, the President will continue a tradition started by President Theodore Roosevelt and start the new printing presses of the Buffalo News. This afternoon the President will tape his weekly radio address, which will be an update on the War on Terrorism with a focus on Iraq. The President will also receive policy briefings this afternoon. McClellan will brief again at 12:30PM.

Mark McClellan

Mark McClellan will be nominated to head the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Dr. McClellan will be leaving his current post as the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration to accept the new position. According to Press Secretary McClellan, Dr. McClellan brings a unique knowledge to his new position and has worked on the issue of Medicare in previous administrations.

Iraq

When questioned about the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq McClellan noted that the caucus system has not received much support but that the Administration continues to work with Iraqi leaders to move forward and create a representative, transitional government. The Administration looks forward to recommendations from the U.N.

Tax Cuts

McClellan said it is important that Congress make the Bush tax cuts permanent. "It is important for the American people to have certainty as they plan for the future and the last thing we need to do at this point in our economy is increase taxes on the American people." The President intends to work closely with the Congress to make the tax cuts permanent and create a robust environment for job creation.

Haiti

When asked about the situation in Haiti McClellan said that the U.S. is "actively engaged in ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring about a peaceful, political resolution to the situation in Haiti." The U.S. is working with Organization of American States, Canada and France to come up with a plan to end the violence. McClellan added "that one immediate, high priority is the humanitarian situation." He said that USAID is supplying 12 medical kits, each medical kit can serve 10,000 individuals for 3 months, and that USAID is providing funds to the Pan American Health Organization to conduct emergency relief activities.

9/11 Commission

When questioned about Speaker of the House Hastert’s opposition to extending the work of the 9/11 Commission by two months McClellan said that the President supports the two month extension. The Administration will continue to call on Congress to extend the Commission’s time.

Miscellaneous

Barbara Knight, Mrs. Bush’s deputy press secretary, will be leaving her post and returning to Texas. McClellan thanked her for her service to Mrs. Bush and the Administration.

Week Ahead

On Sunday, the President will host a dinner for the National Governors Association at the White House. On Monday, the President will meet with members of the National Governors Association in the morning and make remarks at the Republican Governors Association dinner in the evening. There are no public events scheduled for Tuesday. On Wednesday, the President is meeting with the President of Georgia at the White House. On Thursday, he will host a conversation on the economy in Louisville, Kentucky and then attend a campaign luncheon in Louisville. Also on Thursday the President will hold a second conversation on the economy in Charlotte, North Carolina as well as attend a Bush-Cheney 2004 dinner event. On Friday, the President will meet with Chancellor Schroeder of Germany at the White House.