White House Gaggle

By Victoria Jones
White House Gaggle
May 15, 2007
By Victoria Jones

Supplemental

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said the President has made it clear what the baselines are. It was pointed out that the Senate Majority leader has two proposals and the President does not like them. Snow said they are talking about other alternatives with him.

Resignation of Deputy Attorney General

Snow said the Deputy AG has made it clear for some time that he was planning on moving on. He has cited family as a very real concern.

Paul Wolfowitz

Asked if the White House is doing any behind the scenes lobbying for Wolfowitz, Snow said the White House supports Paul Wolfowitz, and Wolfowitz has said, and the White House agrees, that a lot of mistakes were made in the personnel process, but it is not a firing offense. The separate track is what is best for the institution. He will be sitting down with the members of the World Bank to work out the proper way to serve the best interests of the institution. Snow referred questions to the Treasury Department. He declined to discuss anything that may have been done out of the White House.

Iran

Snow said with P5+1, Iranians need to suspend any movement towards a nuclear program. When it comes to the IAEA report, we have not seen it yet, but Iran continues to isolate itself by its behavior when it comes to the nuclear program. There continues to be unity among the allies.

Gas Prices

Asked who should drivers blame for the high cost of gasoline, Snow said there was a combination of circumstances. The President has spent years trying to get Congress to move on alternative energy sources. The 20 in 10 Program relieves some pressure on the marketplace. Then there is building some refineries. There is, if not a perfect storm, a storm that has pushed prices up.

Secretary Rice – Testimony

Congressman Henry Waxman has subpoenaed Secretary Rice to testify on June 19. Snow was asked if she is expected to comply. Snow said the White House is aware of the congressman’s subpoena. The Secretary is perfectly happy to answer questions, but that does not necessarily involve her coming up to Capitol Hill.