White House Gaggle

By Gregory Gorman
September 15, 2005

President’s Schedule

The President had his usual briefings and his daily hurricane briefing, which was led by Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff. He spoke with several world leaders this morning including President Karzai of Afghanistan. President Bush called President Karzai to wish the Afghan people well with this weekend’s elections and to express the support of the United States in the Afghan election process. President Karzai told President Bush that the Afghan people are ready to vote and he also expressed his condolences for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Following the call with President Karzai, President Bush spoke with Prime Minister-elect Stoltenberg of Norway and congratulated him on his recent victory. The President will depart the White House at 1:45 pm this afternoon for the Gulfport/Biloxi airport in Mississippi. From there, he will depart for Pascagoula, Mississippi and finally to New Orleans, Louisiana. This evening, the President will give a nationally televised speech from Jackson Square in New Orleans at 8:02 pm, Central Time.

President’s Speech

Press Secretary Scott McClellan estimated tonight’s speech at less than 30 minutes. The President has taken some time today to work on his speech and the final version of the speech is still being finalized. McClellan briefed the press that the speech will discuss the President’s view for the way forward following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in both recovery and rebuilding. McClellan said, "much of the rescue work is done but the recovery continues". McClellan went on to say that the speech will also include comments on the difficult work that lies ahead for the region and some of the new initiatives that are being proposed in areas such as education, job training, help for small and minority-owned businesses, health care and housing needs.

Rebuilding the Gulf Coast Region

McClellan stated that one of the commitments of the nation is to help the people of the region rebuild their lives and rebuild their communities. He said that in tonight’s speech, the President will address how the government will help the communities and cities in the region move forward with rebuilding in a well planned way. The President believes that local officials and community leaders should have the primary responsibility for planning the future of the region. According to McClellan, "this was a massive storm and that will require a massive reconstruction effort . . . we want to make sure that taxpayer dollars . . . are spent wisely". McClellan said the President is willing to listen to all good ideas when it comes to rebuilding a region that is stronger and better than before. He said the President "intends to listen to all good ideas, good ideas from members of Congress, good ideas from state leaders and local leaders and good ideas from the private sector as well".

Cost of New Presidential Initiatives for Katrina

When asked to give a ballpark estimate of the cost of the new initiatives that the President plans to unveil in tonight’s speech, McClellan responded that the administration has a goal that it is willing to meet for rebuilding a Gulf Coast region that is stronger than before. When asked if the President will talk about the costs of his new initiatives during his speech, McClellan said that the President will probably talk about the resources that have already been provided but that the long-term needs of the affected people continue to be assessed.