White House Gaggle

By Gregory Gorman
September 6, 2005

President’s Schedule

The President had a hurricane briefing early this morning with Secretary Card, Secretary Chertoff and other top officials. At 10:00 am, he will meet with his Cabinet in the Cabinet Room. This will be the 31st Cabinet meeting of his presidency. At 11:15 am, the President will meet with representatives from national voluntary and charitable organizations to discuss the work being done in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. This afternoon, the President will meet with Education Secretary Spellings to discuss the efforts being made to assist students displaced by the hurricane. Later this afternoon, the President will attend a meeting with bicameral and bipartisan Congressional leaders. Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced that the President has increased his contribution to the American Red Cross for hurricane victims. He and Mrs. Bush have also made a separate contribution to the Salvation Army.

Hurricane Katrina Relief

McClellan stated that the administration is still focused on the search and rescue aspects of hurricane relief. He said there are major issues such as medical care, food and water distribution and providing shelter for displaced victims of the hurricane that must be addressed. He also said that the needs of the nearly 230,000 people who are currently in shelters are also a focus of the administration, including finding jobs and finding more permanent housing. When asked if the President believes that New Orleans should be rebuilt, McClellan responded, "Yes, he thinks that the great city of New Orleans will be stronger and better than ever".

Government Response to Hurricane Katrina

In answer to questions about the response of FEMA to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, McClellan said, "now is not the time for looking forward". He said there will be time to do a thorough analysis of the government’s response to the affected area but that there is still an enormous amount of work to do on the ground in the region. He expects the government to look at the lessons from Hurricane Katrina and learn from them. McClellan also responded to questions about the possible resignation or firing of anyone as a result of the disaster response by saying that the President, "is greatly appreciative of all those working on the relief effort". Finally, when asked if the President would support a Katrina Commission to investigate the government’s response in the aftermath of the hurricane, McClellan reiterated that the administration is focused on the task at hand and that people are still in need.

Supreme Court Vacancies

McClellan commented on the President’s intentions to move forward in a timely manner on naming a new Supreme Court Justice to replace Sandra Day O’Connor. McClellan would not confirm the names on the President’s short list but he did say that the administration has planned for a scenario like this. Additionally, McClellan announced that the President continues to urge the Senate to move forward on the confirmation hearings for Judge John Roberts so that he will be on the bench by the start of the new term in October.