White House Gaggle with Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto

The president had his normal briefings and will meet this morning with Ambassador Richard Williamson, special envoy to Sudan. Fratto said that the White House continues to push for movement of peace keeping troops in Sudan and is firmly committed to working with the United Nations on the peace process in Sudan. Fratto said that the president was pleased with his trip to the Middle East and might give some kind of recap or briefing to that effect early next week.

This afternoon the president will have a conference call with congressional leaders about the “economic landscape.” The meeting will include Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulsen. The participants are expected to talk about economic data and the possibility of an economic stimulus package. Fratto was quick to point out that no matter what short term measures might be decided on, the White House supports making permanent the Bush tax cuts as they believe they will be beneficial in the long term. “The president does believe that in the short term some boost is necessary,” Fratto said.

Fratto referred to the economic data the president has been examining for week “mixed.”

“Most economists in the private sector are not predicting a recession,” he said. He said that the president wants to work together with congressional leaders on what should be done about this “soft patch in the economy.” He said the White House sees this as an economic slowdown in the short term, but would not elaborate on what kinds of components the administration support in a solution. Fratto said that the call was an opportunity for the president to listen to the congressional leadership and what their advisors are saying about economic conditions.

“We would like to see Congress act quickly on the housing issue,” Fratto said. He pointed out several factors the White House believes to be contributing to the slowdown and mentioned the housing and mortgage problems and rising energy costs. In terms of a possible legislative solution, Fratto said that President Bush is leaving all options on the table.

On the NIE on Iran, Fratto said that the president stands by the “full scope of the NIE findings, including the fact that Iran had a weapons program.”