By Wendy Wang
Schedule

7:30 the president had a teleconference with Gordon Brown, the new British Prime Minister, on a number of issues including climate change, free trade, Darfur and Burma. At 8am he had his usual briefings before taping his radio address at 9:35 am. He spoke about the Democrat’s tax increases and failure to pass an appropriations bill. 10:15, he speaks at the Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change at the State Department. 7pm, the President and Mrs. Bush attends the 2007 National Book Festival Gala Performance.

By Wendy Wang
Briefer: Tony Fratto

Schedule

At 8 am the president had his usual briefings. 11:05 am the president participates in a Photo Opportunity with the Big Brother and Big Sister of the Year. At 11:30, he signs H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act in the Eisenhower room. Congress increased the Pell grant with a focus on the neediest students, however the president felt the House version of the bill did not go far enough. He had threatened to veto the bill, but the Senate was able to reach a number that the president found acceptable.
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By Wendy Wang
Schedule
10:35 The president is meeting with the Caribbean heads of State at the State Department in a photo op before meeting with them in a closed press event.

2:25 The president plan to veto S. 5 ,the bill that would lessen restraints on federally funded embryonic stem cell research. The bill was passed by Congress.
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By Wendy Wang
President’s Schedule
The president meets with the Former Commanding General of Multi-National Security and Transition Command in Iraq. At 10:35 am he travels to the Capitol Hilton Hotel makes remarks to the Associated Builders and Contractors to recognize the positive impact of construction on the economy.
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By Wendy Wang
In an interview with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Peter Pace was asked if he believed the law of "Don’t Ask Don’t tell" should still hold. Pace ignited a firestorm not by saying that he does, but by what he said next.
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By Wendy Wang
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace conducts an on the record media "roundtable."

The new defense secretary, in a clear distinction from his predecessor changed the formal atmosphere of the Pentagon press room in favor of a format that reminded one reporter of an "anchor team for the evening news of the Pentagon channel." Gone is the press room podium, replaced with a redwood desk and plush chairs with the blue curtains behind him drawn back. A map of the world is superimposed on the wall behind the desk where the emblem of the Pentagon once hung. The media chairs are divided into two sections, theatre style. Press asked him at the end of the briefing if he was trying to draw a clear distinction between himself and his predecessor. Gates says he is just trying to find a format that suits him and says nothing about the past.
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By Wendy Wang
Pentagon press corps was told this morning that there is no press briefing on the new Defense Secretary’s schedule as of yet, even after announcements that Generals John Abizaid and George Casey will be stepping down from their posts commanding the war.
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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.
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By Wendy Wang
Outgoing secretary of defense caused quite a bit of stir amongst the news corps when he made a surprise weekend trip to Iraq, but failed to invite or notify the major news organizations. In fact, Sean Hannity of Fox news was the only newsman invited along on that trip. This Monday morning, the regular Pentagon press corps wanted to know why.
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By Wendy Wang
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace briefed Pentagon Press Corps, addressing a number of speculations about the Pentagon, and its strategies for Iraq.

Pace addressed the recent speculation that a group of ranked military officials recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan currently working with members of the Joint Chiefs office are doing more than just advising and putting ideas on the table. Pace says that the dozen or so individuals offer fresh perspective to the war strategy to craft the best recommendations, but will not produce an independent end result or product. He says that the Iraqi panel comprising of James Baker and Lee Hamilton in no way undermines the authority or input of military leaders. All ideas and strategies are welcome in the discussion.
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