White House Gaggle

By Ellen Ratner
January 11, 2005

President’s Schedule

The President began his morning with a call to the Iraqi Prime Minister. The two leaders discussed preparations for the upcoming elections. He then had his usual round of briefings. The President will announce the new Homeland Security Secretary at 10:00 AM, Federal Appeals Judge Michael Chertoff. The President is also having a forum at 10:45 on Social Security. Over the next week the administration will highlight the need for Social Security Reform. The Vice President will make a speech on Thursday and Josh Bolton will make a speech to the Chamber of Commerce on Friday. Greg Mankiw will also be speaking. Secretary Snow is in New York and is continuing to make speeches for the administration on this issue. Later, the Russian Defense Minister will meet with President Bush and the President will have an interview with The Washington Times this afternoon. Scott briefs at 12:15, the State Department at 12:30 and there will be a press availability with Secretary Rumsfeld and the Russian Defense Minister this afternoon at the Pentagon.

Social Security

Most of today’s Gaggle focused on Social Security. Asked about Gregory Mankiw’s comments that there was no free lunch without benefit cuts, McClellan would only say that under the current system, younger workers would be facing massive cuts. He also said that the President would lead the effort and will be talking about possible solutions as we move forward. He said that young people realize that they cannot count on the benefits. He said the President wants to fix Social Security permanently for younger workers. Asked about the number of Republicans (between 20 and 40) who have some issues with it, Scott would only say that some have said the numbers are around twelve. "This is a challenge the President believes we should act on now and not leave to future generations." He also said that the options become more limited over time." As to providing "cover" (as reported by the Wall Street Journal) to members of Congress, he would only say that the President has made this a priority. He reiterated that the President wanted to allow people to invest a portion of their own money in private retirement accounts and that there were only two ways to proceed; massive benefit cuts or massive tax increases without the Presidents plans. He invoked the Clinton administration’s comments of 1998 by saying that, "leaders on both sides of the aisle recognize that there is a problem."

Russian Foreign Minister

Scott would not say what they will be discussing.