White House Gaggle

By Wendy Wang
Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto briefed White House press this morning.

The president had his usual morning briefings. He meets with German Chancellor in the Oval office at 5pm, followed by statements to the press at 6:20 before a dinner for the visiting chancellor.

Germany visit.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel asked for today’s visit with the president to discuss Middle East peace and climate change. Fratto would not specify the intended conversation saying that he would let the president’s remarks after the meeting speak for itself. He had no insight to what the president will discuss on climate. The two will discuss bilateral, multilateral and transatlantic relations as German will be chairing this year’s G-8 summit. They will also discuss NATO commitments in Afghanistan as well as economic and energy issues.

Troop levels

Fratto will not give details of where the president is in his decision making process, saying only that he is still reviewing a broad range of options and the president is in the process of refining those options on troop level. When he is ready he will announce to the American people what his plans are for Iraq. The White House press office is not in the position to add any more until the president is ready to make an announcement. Asked to clarify numbers, Fratto responded that it was purposefully ambiguous. He will not talk ahead of the president on numbers or direction.

Asked about Congressional input, Fratto says the president had conversations with members of Congress shortly after the mid-term elections with respect to Iraq and he continues to do so.

Fratto dispelled notions that Iraq strategy conversations with key players are some what episodic, saying that there is a specific target here as the president is working on new way forward in Iraq. Consultations with Prime Minister Maliki and the generals in Iraq are fairly regular. The president is in constant consultation with the Defense Secretary, Secretary of State and with Steve Hadley, and those conversations are expected to continue and they are ongoing. Fratto says that the president’s usual morning briefings consist of intelligence related to Iraq, and he receives briefings throughout various parts of the day.

Speaker Pelosi

Fratto noted that there isn’t much on the president’s public calendar as they want to be respectful of other events going on today, namely the swearing in of a new Congress. Asked if the president will watch Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s swearing in ceremony, Fratto said he had no information on that. Asked about the historical significance of Nancy Pelosi’s ascension to that office, Fratto noted that the president will regard the new speaker as an equal leader in government and notes that without irony, the president is meeting with a female head of state. Fratto says there is no question on their ability to work together based on gender.

Prescription drug bill

Calls to amend the prescription drug bill is not being supported by this Administration, as Fratto called it one of the most important bills to improve health care in a long time. Given its success and popularity with beneficiaries, Fratto says it’s necessary to exercise care before tinkering with such a program.

Saddam Execution Video
Even in light of the Sunni outcry over the manner of Saddam Hussein’s execution as revealed in a video clip, the president has seen it. Fratto added that he hasn’t seen the video either.