White House Gaggle

By Ellen Ratner
November 8, 2004

President’s Schedule:

The President talked to several world leaders this morning. He also had his weekly meeting with the Secretary of Defense. Scott McClellan will brief at 12:15 this afternoon and the State Department will have a briefing at 12:30.

Senator Specter and the Judiciary Committee:

Scott McClellan said that Carl Rove addressed that on Sunday.

Fallujah:

Asked about urban warfare and the casualty rates, McClellan said, "It is best for me to let you talk to the Defense Department". He also said that it was important to have a free and stable Iraq which would transform the Middle East. He said that there would be an integrated military strategy with Prime Minister Allawi. The President had a video-conference by secure video from Camp David. He said it was the priority of the interim government to make sure there are secure elections. He also said that some countries are extending their troop commitments through the election and beyond. He said that we are continuing to train forces and, "we will remain there until the mission is complete and then our troops will return with honor". Scott McClellan said that the President met over the weekend to discuss this at Camp David. He said there was a two-way discussion between our forces and Iraqi forces and that our troops would have all of the resources they need to complete the mission.

Yasser Arafat:

The White House continues to monitor the situation.

Cabinet:

The President will not require his Cabinet to submit letters of
resignation. McClellan would not speculate on plans. The White House Chief of Staff is staying on. The President announced this to the senior staff.

Iran:

McClellan said that President is in contact with our European friends. He said that the board of the IAEA called on Iran in five resolutions to suspend any reprocessing activities. The IAEA put a November deadline on this and the international community is resolved not to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons.

Marriage Amendment:

The President has a "comprehensive agenda focused on big priorities", including Social Security and the tax code. He also intends to protect the sanctity of marriage. He said that Congress is retuning next week and that they will focus on moving forward on the spending bills but would also move forward on the Constitutional Amendment for the sanctity of marriage. He said fifty nine million people voted for the President’s agenda. He said that the marriage amendment is a, "process that takes some time to complete". Asked about the idea of Civil Unions, he said this is up to the States and that the President, "had expressed his view".

Chief Justice Rehnquist:

McClellan said it was up to the Court to discuss and that they wished him a speedy recovery.