President Bush meets with President Talabani of Iraq in the Oval Office. Mr. Bush describes their conversation about elections laws, the Strategic Framework Agreement, and troop reductions. President Talabani thanks the US for liberating their country saying that there is very little terrorism activity left, and now it is time for reconstruction. He also spoke of better relationships with Arab neighbors. (4:57)
Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice spoke to reporters after briefing President Bush on the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the crises in Georgia.
She said that all parties must agree to a cease-fire, and all military operations need to stop. The US is for the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Georgia and support the democratically elected Georgian government. (1:54)
Briefer: Deputy White House Press Secretary Tony Fratto
President’s Schedule
This morning President Bush got an update from National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and also spoke to Secretary Rice on the phone. He then received his daily intelligence briefings where Georgia was also discussed.
There have been a number of calls made to foreign leader in the last 24 hours: Yesterday, President Bush made calls from Air Force One to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lithuanian President Adamkus, and President Kaczynski of Poland. Following last night’s statement in the Rose Garden, he also spoke with Georgian President Saakashvili. This morning, President Bush talked to Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi and Chancellor Merkel of Germany.
At 1.15 pm, the President will meet with the Coalition for Affordable American Energy. (more…)
President Bush speaks in the Rose Garden upon return from his trip to Asia.
He is deeply concern as Russia has invaded a sovereign neighboring state and threatens their democratically elected government. Bush states that such actions are unacceptable in the 21st century, and Russia needs to be true to its word and to act to end this crisis. (2:32)
Briefer: White House Press Secretary Dana Perino
Schedule:
The President had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am, the President and Mrs. Bush will participate in the signing of H.J Res. 93, the Renewal of Import Restrictions on Burman and in the signing of H.R 3890, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta’s Anti-Democratic Efforts). At 10.45 am, President Bush signs H.R. 1553, the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. This afternoon at 1.25 pm, the President departs the White House heading to Ohio. He will make remarks on energy and the economy at the Lincoln Electric Company Euclid, Ohio. At 5.45 pm, President Bush attends a Congressional Trust 2008 Reception at a private residence at Gates Mills, Ohio.
There will no be briefing today
Energy
Perino said that Congress goes on their recess by the end of the week leavening several proposals in the air, including opening energy resources such as ANWR, off shore drilling, oil shale, and streamlining opening refineries. She also said that the President will discuss all of this in his remarks later today. In the President’s cabinet meeting tomorrow they will discuss energy needs, which are the most important needs facing Americans today. Asked several questions about people driving less, Perino said that this shows laws of supply and demand, she also said that the Administration will look for way to bring the prices down. When asked about the highway trust fund, she said that the President has a way to address it in the budget and she does not believe that the way to deal with it is raising taxes.
Iraq
Asked about the uptick in Iraq, Perino said that there was a lot less violence and a need for flexibility with the military, and that we still have a determined enemy. She also said that high profile attacks using female bomber is deplorable.
Housing Bill
Dana said: “ At some time it is going to irresponsible if they don’t sent it [the housing bill]” She continued to say, that they need to send the bill to us and again pushing the White House concept of the- do-nothing-Congress, they are back in town over a long weekend recess. She also said that “you can’t put a timetable when the housing market rebounds”.
Serbia
When asked about US efforts to catch Karadzic, Perino said that over the years we have been supporting of efforts, “that is all I can say”.
Burma
Dana said that sanctions can work and the goal is to squeeze the people that are pressing people and not the people.
Briefer: Dana Perino
President’s Schedule
President Bush had his normal briefings at 8 am At 11.10 am, he will meet with the Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan. This afternoon, at 3.15 pm, the President will participate in a photo opportunity with members of the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program in the East Room of the White House. (more…)
Briefer: Dana Perino
President’s Schedule
President Bush had his normal briefings this morning. At 10.30 am he signs H.R. 3403, the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. At 10.55 am, the President will drop by the National Security Advisor’s meeting with the Defense Minister of Columbia. At 12.55 pm the President travels to the Pentagon to participate in U.S Department of Defense briefings. At 3.25 pm, President Bush participated in a photo opportunity with the 2008 Boys and Girls Nation delegates. Later this afternoon, the President also signs the Presidential Proclamation in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Armed Forces Integration. (more…)
Briefer: Dana Perino
President’s Schedule
President Bush had his normal briefings at 8 am. At 1.30 pm he will make remarks in honor of Columbian Independence Day in the East Room of the White House. The President will highlight the need for Congress to pass the US-Columbian Free Trade Agreement. Secretaries Gutierrez and Schafer, members of Congress, and members of the diplomatic corps, will be in attendance along with another 220 guests. At 2.20 pm, the President will depart the White House en route to a Goddard-Georgia victory committee reception. He will return to the Washington later this evening.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.30 pm today. (more…)
President George Bush toasts the Olympians at a dinner hosted in the East Room of the White House. Bush says thank you to Chairman of the Olympic Committee Peter Ueberroth, the 2008 Olympic Team and Paralympic Team, and joked that the Mayor of Chicago would host the 2016 Olympics. He said that he and Laura would be watching in Beijing and “could not wait to cheer you on.” He proposed a toast “to the Olympic athletes past and present, and to the United States of America.” [entire speech] (3:47)
Today off the Hill, the White House Gaggle will be covered by Correspondent Lovisa Frost. Remarks at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute will also be reported. A conference call discussing Rep. Bob Latta’s (R-Ohio) attendance on the American Energy Tour with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) will be reviewed. The Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the legal foundations of fighting terrorism will be attended, as will remarks by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) concerning trade with China.
A news conference introducing a new economic agenda with, among others, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Christopher van Hollen (D-Md.) will be covered, as will a hearing of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on childhood obesity. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on global nuclear detection and the Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing on the status of retirement savings.
On the House side of the Hill, staff will attend a session of the Small Business Committee in which prosthetics for veterans will be discussed. Staff will also take part in a Homeland Security Committee hearing on the implementation of biosurveillance requirements of the 9/11 Act. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke will testify before the Financial Services Committee in a hearing on monetary policy.
