White House Gaggle

By Adam Sharon
President’s Schedule

The President this morning spoke with Prime Minister Thaksin of Thailand. President Bush congratulated his counterpart on the recent parliamentary election victory for the Thai ruling party. The two leaders also spoke about the upcoming visit to Thailand by President H.W. Bush and President Clinton. This morning the President received his regular security briefings. He will then welcome President Kwasniewski of Poland to the White House. The leaders will talk about the Iraqi elections, reform efforts underway in Ukraine and President Bush’s upcoming trip to Europe. The two presidents will then lunch together in the residence. This afternoon, the President will participate in a conversation on Class Action Reform at the Department of Commerce. He will be joined on stage by three panelists. The U.S. Senate is currently debating this issue now, remarked McClellan. This afternoon, President Bush will drop-in on a business roundtable meeting and offer brief remarks to the leaders.

Tsunami Relief Briefing

At 4pm this afternoon, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios will brief reporters, along with White House, Office of Management and Budget and State Department officials about tsunami relief efforts. Already, noted Scott McClellan, 120 million dollars have been allocated and spent on tsunami relief.

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Prescription Drugs

McClellan disputed news reports out today that incorrectly estimate the cost of President Bush’s prescription drug plan. The Press Secretary stated that he would issue a release today with correct data, but noted that the President’s plan will cost $518 billion dollars for the 2004 to 2013 period and $720 billion dollars for the 2006-2015 period. "We need to implement reform," McClellan stated.

NASA Administrator

NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe will officially leave his position this Friday. One reporter then asked, "Who will replace him?" to which McClellan replied: "You know my rule," I don’t speculate on pending nominations. One reporter then responded, "And you know our rule," we will continue to ask these questions.

Karl Rove as Deputy Chief of Staff

McClellan noted that Karl Rove’s new title reflects the "expanded role" that he will assume during the second Bush administration. McClellan would not specifically state, in response to a reporter’s question, if Rove’s position is a "promotion." McClellan noted that Michael Gerson, the president’s primary speech writer during the first administration, will also assume an "expanded role," and will oversee the president’s "compassion agenda."