White House Gaggle

By Gregory Gorman
December 17, 2004

President’s Schedule

This morning the President gave his radio address on the economy followed by his usual briefings. At 9:55 am, the President will sign The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The President will be joined at the signing by CIA Director Porter Goss, Secretary of State nominee Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Senators Frist, Collins and Lieberman as well as 9/11 family members. The President’s holiday week schedule will include a trip on Tuesday, December 21st to the Fisher House at Walter Reed Medical Center to visit with family members of patients. Following the visit to Walter Reed, the President will depart for Camp David until December 26th.

Ocean Action Plan

The President will receive an update later this morning in the Oval Office on the final report of the US Commission on Ocean Policy and will sign an executive order creating a Cabinet-level committee on ocean policy. Later today, the President will submit the US Ocean Action Plan to Congress in response to recommendations made by the US Commission on Ocean Policy.

Director of National Intelligence

McClellan was asked if the President has anyone in mind for the new Director of National Intelligence position. McClellan responded that the law creating the position is being signed today but that the administration is not ready to talk about any presumptive nominees.

Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld Remarks

McClellan was asked about remarks made by Republican Senators advocating the removal of Secretary Rumsfeld as the Secretary of Defense. McClellan stated that, "the President believes Rumsfeld is the right person going forward". McClellan also stated that the President asked Rumsfeld to continue serving as Secretary of Defense and that Rumsfeld is pleased to continue serving.