White House Gaggle

By Adam Sharon
White House Gaggle
February 1, 2005
By: Adam Sharon
Briefer: Scott McClellan

President’s Schedule

The President today spoke with President Putin of Russia regarding the Iraqi elections and their upcoming meeting in Slovakia. President Bush also spoke with the NATO Secretary General and the EU President regarding the Iraqi election. President Bush also expressed his hope that transatlantic organizations can work together to help improve the situation in Iraq. The President also spoke with President Fox of Mexico. President Bush also received his regular security briefings. He then will sign a proclamation stating that February is Heart Month. Mrs. Bush is urging women to wear red on Friday in honor of the Heart Truth campaign. One in three women die of heart disease and Mrs. Bush will promote this campaign throughout the month, McClellan noted. The President will then practice his State of the Union address in the family theater. He will then attend a meeting with Representative Emerson, the chairwoman of the National Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast will take place on Thursday morning. The President will then be interviewed by Cal Thomas about the inaugural address and the administration’s second term agenda. There will be a background briefing at one today about the State of the Union speech.

Compensation to Families of Troops Killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Global War on Terror

The President strongly supports helping the families of soldiers who have "made the ultimate sacrifice" by providing additional financial compensation to these grieving families. The Press Secretary noted that "no amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a loved one." Budget officials are now reviewing whether this additional funding will be part of the upcoming budget request.

State of the Union Speech

McClellan did not discuss the details of the speech, noting that a background briefer will provide that information to the press this afternoon. The Press Secretary did however note that President Bush will praise the troops, and dedicate much of his speech to the social security issue.

Judge Michael Chertoff

McClellan disagreed with news reports that Judge Chertoff advised the CIA on interrogation techniques of detainees captured by U.S. forces in the Global War on Terror. The briefer noted that Chertoff headed the Criminal Division within the Department of Justice and was responsible for prosecuting violators of the law. "Judge Chertoff did not approve or pre-authorize techniques" used to capture, interrogate or question individuals captured in the War on Terror, McClellan added.