The briefer was White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

Schedule
The president had his normal briefings. At the time of the gaggle, the president was meeting with the House Republican Conference. At this meeting the topics of the 2008 global war on terror supplemental, the price of gasoline, energy legislation, housing, the Protect America Act and the Colombia Free Trade Agreement were slated to be covered. The president is expected to give a statement on the meeting at 10:10. Today President Bush will sign the Ensuring Access to Student Loans Act. He will be briefed in the afternoon by Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer about several USDA programs, specifically those domestic food aid programs such as food stamps, school lunches and WIC. The president will address the Council of the America’s at the State Department. His statement is expected to focus on the Merida Initiative, a program that gives aid and supplies to Mexico and other Central American countries to fight the war on drugs. He is expected to push for the Colombia Free Trade Agreement and call on Cuba to begin a process of democratic reforms. There will be a briefing by Steve Hadley on the president’s trip to the Middle East this afternoon.

Russia
In response to a question about the transition of power between former Russian president Vladimir Putin and the current president Dimitri Medvedev, Perino said that she expects the president to speak to Medvedev soon, but not today. She said that the two men look forward to beginning their relationship as two heads of state and that the G8 may be the first time they meet in person. Perino said that both leaders recognize that it is important to have a good relationship and that the two nations will continue to speak frankly and cooperate especially as it concerns Iran and it’s nuclear program.

Myanmar
Responding to a question about American aid in the wake of deadly cyclones in Myanmar, Perino said that it was her understanding that the U.S. stands ready to help but that no other nation has been allowed access into Myanmar to assist. “There is no substitute for being there on the ground helping directly,” Perino said.

Housing
On the topic of the housing bill being put forth by Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) Perino said that the White House feels it goes too far, too fast. The administration would like to see the modernization of the Federal Housing Administration and other reforms included in the bill with out putting too much risk on tax payers.

[Read more →]

ACLU’s director of the Washington Legislative Office, Caroline Frederickson, says that some provisions in the new House FISA bill suggest that even Congress does not know the full details of the warrantless surveillance programs, and she says Congress should investigate the programs fully. (0:38)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

[Read more →]

Speaking outside the White House after a meeting with President Bush John Boehner says that House Republicans are going to win on the debate over the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and it it just a matter of time until Democrats “cry uncle.” (0:35)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

[Read more →]

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
(Waco, Texas)

_______________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release March 3, 2008

PRESS GAGGLE
BY GORDON JOHNDROE

Aboard Air Force One
En route Andrews Air Force Base

Read the rest of this entry »

[Read more →]

The Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin, tries to get a clear answer from National Intelligence Director McConnell on the value of extending the FISA bill and the effect on the cooperation of private entities by compelling. (1:11)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

[Read more →]

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule

President Bush has his normal briefings this morning at 8 am.
At 9.45 am, the President makes remarks to the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. At 11.10 am, the President will participate in an interview with April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks. This afternoon at 1:45 pm, he will meet with former Cabinet Secretaries and Senior Government Officials on Free Trade Agreements. At 2 pm, the President will make remarks on “Picturing America” Initiative in the East Room of the White House.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.45 pm today.

Read the rest of this entry »

[Read more →]

President Bush discusses FISA, faith-based initiatives, and health care before the National Governors Association. (11:53)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

[Read more →]

White House Gaggle
Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule
At 8, the president had his normal briefings, then at 10:30 he will have a briefing by the Office of Faith-Based Community Initiatives. At 11:00 he meets with the National Governors Association. Tonight at 7:00 the President will make remarks to 2008 Republican Governors Association Gala at the National Building Museum.

This morning the White House will release a statement responding to the Washington Post Op-Ed by Congressional Democrats on FISA.

Perino also announced that King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan will visit the White House on March 4, 2008.

Governors
Responding to a question about governors possible infrastructure improvements as part of a second stimulus package, Perino said that the President will meet with the governors and hear their views. Infrastructure improvements were not sought as part of the first stimulus package because they take time to have an effect.

Turkish border
On the Turkish forces going into northern Iraq, Perino said that it was not an ideal situation, but that the “PKK is a common enemy of Turkey and the United States.” She said that the White House hopes this is just a short-term incursion and is in contact with Turkey.

Kosovo
Responding to a question about Serbian parts of Kosovo wanting to remain part of Serbia, Perino said that there are people with mixed emotions, and the White House has encouraged Kosovars to ensure minority rights are protected.

Cuba
Perino said she was not aware of any discussions about possibly lifting the embargo against Cuba.

Supreme Court gun control case
Vice President Cheney has signed on to amicus brief filed by a party other than the Department of Justice. Perino said, “It’s no problem.”

[Read more →]

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill, says that the National Security Agency will still be able to conduct surveillance by getting court approval in a matter of minutes or even after the fact. (0:23)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

[Read more →]

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), speaking at a press conference on Capitol Hill, says that the Bush Administration would rather act unilaterally without oversight than to go to court, but that is “neither necessary nor proper,” and both the Senate and House FISA reform bills include the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. (0:24)

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

[Read more →]