White House Gaggle

By Victoria Jones
White House Gaggle
December 12, 2006
By Victoria Jones

The President’s Schedule

The President had his usual briefings. He is doing a secure video teleconference with the Vice President, Secretary Rumsfeld, Dr Bob Gates, the Secretary of Defense Designate, Secretary Rice, Josh Bolten, Steve Hadley, J.D. Crouch, Ambassador Khalilzad, General Pace, General Abizaid, and General Casey. At 1.15 the President will meet with the Vice President on Iraq. The President and Mrs Bush will host two holiday receptions this evening.

Holocaust Denial Conference in Iran

The United States condemns the conference on the Holocaust convoked by the Iranian regime in Tehran on Monday in Iran. (full text available at whitehouse.gov)

Saudi Ambassador

Asked what she knew about the departure of the Saudi Ambassador, Deputy White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said that the Kingdom had made no announcement, and she declined to make any comment on their personnel announcements. She did not know if the President had received notification.

President’s "Listening"

Perino was asked if the President has met with any ‘doves’, or anyone who is against the war and wants to pull the troops out. She replied that there was a wide variety of viewpoints. Yesterday’s participants were chosen because they do not mince words.

Asked if tomorrow’s visit to the Pentagon concludes the President’s listening phase, and how he moves to the next phase, Perino said there will be some time to digest the information he has heard, and to start working with his national security team to finalize his strategy for the ‘new way forward’. She did not have anything specific with his schedule.

Perino was asked if the President is influenced by public opinion polls. Perino said the President would be the first to agree that progress in Iraq is not moving well enough and fast enough. He accepted the Baker Hamilton Report with an open mind. He has a new Secretary of Defense who will be sworn in on Monday. He plans to announce a new strategy to the nation about the way forward in Iraq. He is well aware that there is dissatisfaction. He will be the first to admit that he is dissatisfied.

Perino was asked whether any public opinion would have any impact on his opinion. She said to wait and see. The President has been in listening mode. He has not only been listening to his own advisors, but last week 50 members of Congress came through the White House. He has an open mind, and will do what he thinks best for the American interests and for the Iraqi people.

Al-Maliki Government

It was stated that there are reports out of Baghdad about efforts to reshape the governing coalition, either by putting pressure on al-Maliki or to isolate al-Sadr. Perino was asked what the Bush administration role in that effort is. She said it is listening and watching. The administration is pleased that there are moderate Iraqis who are gathering themselves together to support Prime Minister al-Maliki’s government.

Change in National Security Team?
Perino was asked to comment on rumors that the President plans to make changes in his national security team. She said she would not put her stock in it.

Congressman Jefferson

Perino was asked if the President has a view of whether Congressman Jefferson should be seated in Congress if indicted. She said the President would decline to comment on that.

President’s Meeting with Iraqi Vice President al-Hashemi

Perino was asked what the President expects to learn from his meeting today with al-Hashemi. She replied that the goal of this meeting is to discuss the current serious situation in Iraq, their joint goal of stabilizing the country, and of moving forward on the national reconciliation process.

They both support this young democracy in the heart of the Middle East, she said, and it is expected that they will discuss efforts to combat Al Qaeda. They will discuss the militias. They will discuss regional influences, positive and negative, and economic development, which is the key to improving the situation in Iraq. Asked why the meeting was moved up from January, Perino said that al-Hashemi wanted to come sooner.

President’s New Iraq Report

Perino was asked if coalition countries will get a heads up in advance. She said she did not know the roll out plan as they were still formulating the policy, but that she would assume yes. Perino was asked whether some parts of the plan are more fully formed than others. She replied that in economic development and improving the unemployment rate that is an obvious point. Everyone has an open mind, she said. Perino said that when and where the speech will be made has not been decided. Out of town is not a possibility