White House Gaggle

By Kate Paulman
June 27, 2005

President’s Schedule

The President had his usual briefings this morning, along with a photo opportunity with the DC Metropolitan Motorcycle Escort officers on the South Lawn of the White House. Later this morning, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will meet with the president in the Oval Office. The two leaders will have lunch in the White House residence. This afternoon, he will meet with members of the Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America’s Social Security at the White House. He will then have a photo opportunity with the 2005 Presidential Scholars — a group of distinguished high-school graduates.

All-Volunteer Army

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said that President Bush supports the all-volunteer forces of America’s military. One branch of the military — the Army — has suffered from low recruitment, but overall retention is high, McClellan said.

Speech Tomorrow

When asked what new information or rhetoric the president would introduce during tomorrow’s speech, McClellan said Iraq is at a "critical moment" and "this is a time of testing." The president will talk about the nature of the enemy soldiers face in Iraq — enemies that "have no regard for human life." McClellan said the strategy for success is on two tracks: political and military. The president will explain "the way forward" in Iraq during the speech. McClellan said there has not been as much focus on the strategy for success in the media as there has been on the violence in Iraq. McClellan did say there would be tough fighting ahead, but offered no new insight into the president’s upcoming speech. The speech marks the one-year anniversary of the transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people.

Iran

America has "reason to be skeptical" of the "unelected few that run Iran," McClellan said. They may be pursuing nuclear weapons under the guise of civilian programs, he said. McClellan said there must be an "objective guarantee" to the end of all plutonium enrichment in Iran given the past history of the regime. The Iranian government has, in the past, hidden nuclear weapons and dodged international obligations, McClellan said.