White House Gaggle

By Adam Sharon
White House Gaggle
February 2, 2005
By: Adam Sharon
Briefer: Scott McClellan

President’s Schedule

The President today spoke with Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy about the recent election in Iraq. They discussed ways to continue supporting the Iraqi people and how transatlantic institutions can help establish democratic institutions there. President Bush then spoke with Prime Minister Martin of Canada thanking his counterpart for sending election monitors to oversee the vote in Iraq. President Bush then spoke with President Saca of El Salvador. Bush thanked Saca for sending El Salvadorian troops to Iraq. "They are great soldiers who have earned the respect of all who deal with them," stated President Bush. President Bush then met with Secretary of State Rice and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld. He then received his regular security briefings. This morning, President Bush will practice the State of the Union speech in the White House family theater. He is working on the 20th draft of the speech, McClellan noted. Helen Thomas then asked, "Is it [the speech] that bad?" A chuckling McClellan replied, "I hope it is better than the way you described it." President Bush will then lunch with network anchors and discuss the State of the Union Speech. The President will deliver the speech at 9pm EST.

State of the Union Speech

Excerpts from the speech will be released at 5pm to the media along with a seating chart for tonight’s special guests. That information will be embargoed until the president delivers his remarks. At 8pm, fact sheets and additional information will be distributed, and this too is embargoed until 9pm. A special guest of the White House will attend the address, but his/her name will not be released until later today. McClellan refused to state which cabinet member would not attend the speech, withholding that information for security reasons. The speech should last 40 minutes, not including pauses for applause. Social Security will remain a prominent topic of the speech. McClellan stated that President Bush is looking forward to working with Democrats, despite claims by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) that no senate Democrat will vote to privatize Social Security.

Middle East Peace

McClellan noted that numerous encouraging steps have occurred in the region and expressed the administration’s hope that Israelis and Palestinians can work together. The Press Secretary was not sure if a U.S. envoy would attend upcoming talks between Israeli and Palestinians leaders slated to begin next week in Egypt.

President Clinton and Tsunami Aid

McClellan expressed his appreciation that President Clinton is taking an active role in overseeing tsunami relief for the Asian countries affected by this natural disaster. McClellan noted that U.N. Secretary General Annan tapped President Clinton to be the U.N. tsunami envoy. When asked if President Clinton should become the next Secretary General of the U.N., McClellan laughed off the question and ended the gaggle.