Text of Bush's News Conference

You said, in a response just now, that it depends on the initiative of the Iraqis.

Are you giving the Iraqis a timetable for what you're going to do with troop withdrawal and when?

BUSH: We will complete the mission as quickly as possible. And that mission of a secure and stable Iraq will be achieved when the Iraqis are fighting the former regime elements and people like Zarqawi.

Therefore, the — it is important that we continue to press forward with proper training.

Now, training means not just signing people up. Training means equipping and preparing them for tough fights, as well as developing a chain of command. A good military requires a chain of command from top to bottom, so that orders and plans and strategies can be effected efficiently.

Q: The second question on race. You brought it up in the inaugural address, and yesterday and today you will have black leaders here at the White House discussing issues of race.

Yesterday, you didn't discuss civil rights, but where are you in the second term as it relates to race in America?

BUSH: Civil rights is a good education. Civil rights is opportunity. Civil rights is homeownership. Civil rights is owning your own business. Civil rights is making sure all aspects of our society are open for everybody.

And I believe that what I said was important, that we've got to, you know, shed ourselves of bigotry if we expect to lead by example.

And I'll do the very best I can as the president to make sure the promise — and I believe in the promise of America — is available for everybody.

Q: Mr. President, do you think it's a proper use of government funds to pay commentators to promote your policies?

BUSH: I expect my — yes, I am. I expect my Cabinet secretaries to make sure that that practice doesn't go forward. There needs to be independence.

And we didn't know about this in the White House. And, you know, there needs to be a nice, independent relationship between the White House and the press and the administration and the press. And so, no, we shouldn't be going forward.

Q: Mr. Williams made a mistake. Did the Department of Education (news - web sites) make a mistake?

But all our Cabinet secretaries must realize that we will not be paying, you know, commentators to advance our agenda. Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet.

And I'm confident you will be, over the course of the next four years, willing to give our different policies an objective look, won't you?

Q: Senate Democratic leaders have painted a very bleak picture of the U.S. economy. Harry Reid was talking about soup lines and Hillary Clinton (news - web sites) was talking about the economy being on the verge of collapse. Yet, in the same breath, they say that Social Security (news - web sites) is rock solid and there's no crisis there.

You've said you're going to reach out to these people. How are you going to work with people who seem to have divorced themselves from reality?

BUSH: Continue to speak to the American people. Right after my State of the Union, I think I'm going to four or five states to continue to address this issue.

And, you know, I can remember President Clinton (news - web sites) doing the same thing on Social Security. I thought he was very effective in teeing up the issue, of making the case. And I will do the same thing.

And there's a — in terms of whether the economy is growing or not, there's — you know, jobs are increasing, forecasts look strong.

Obviously there's some things we need to do to make sure that America is a good place to continue to risk capital and invest.

That's why I'm urging the Congress to pass legal reform. You might remember one of the first issues that I addressed after election was legal reform, asbestos reform, class action reform, medical liability reform.

I believe if there is a — that we've got a chance to get some good, meaningful legislation out of the Congress early, which will send a good signal that we will address those issues that make — that stand in the way for further economic expansion.

BUSH: We need an energy bill. And I look forward to working with members of both parties to get a good energy bill out.

Obviously, people in the capital markets are going to be watching the issue of twin deficits — on the one hand, the spending deficit, the fiscal deficit. We will address that in our budget that we're getting ready to submit to Congress.

Obviously, we're going to have to work closely together to send the signal that we're willing to tackle some tough issues.

The budget I'll be submitting is one that says we'll spend money on projects that work but we must make sure we're not wasting the taxpayers' money.

In terms of the trade deficit, it is important for us to make sure that in countries that are — that countries treat their currencies in market fashion — I've been working with China, in specific, on that issue; secondly, that people knock down their barriers to our goods and services; thirdly, that we continue to grow our economy at home by making — by some of the reforms I've just discussed.

But I think most people are optimistic about the economy next year. It's very important that we continue to put pro-growth policies in place.

Q: Mr. President, Senator Ted Kennedy recently repeated his characterization of Iraq as a, quote, quagmire, and has called it your Vietnam.

And the questioning of Alberto Gonzales and Condi Rice in the Senate has been largely used by Democrats to criticize your entire Iraq program, especially what you're trying to do postwar.

I wonder if you have any response to those criticisms. And what kind of effect do you think these statements have on the morale of our troops and of the confidence of the Iraqi people that what you're trying to do over there is going to succeed?

BUSH: I think the Iraqi people are wondering whether or not this nation has the will necessary to stand with them as a democracy evolves.

The enemy would like nothing more than the United States to precipitously pull out and withdraw before the Iraqis are prepared to defend themselves. Their objective is to stop the advance of democracy. Freedom scares them.

Zarqawi said something interesting the other day: that, you know, he was talking democracy and how terrible democracy is.

We believe that people ought to be allowed to express themselves. And we believe that people ought to decide the fates of their government.

And so the notion that somehow we're not making progress, I just don't subscribe to.

I mean, we're having elections and I think people need to put this moment in history in proper context.

That context, of course, starts with whether or not the world will be better off with Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) in power and whether or not America'd be more secure.

After all, I've always felt the Iraqi theater's a part of the war on terror. And I am encouraged and I am heartened by the fact the Iraqi citizens are showing incredible bravery.

They're losing a lot of people. Obviously these targeted assassinations of innocent civilians is having an effect on Iraqi families. But they want to vote. They want to participate in democracy. They want to be able to express themselves and to me that is encouraging.

There's a notion in some parts of that world that, you know, certain people can't self-govern; you know, certain religions don't have the capacity of self-government.

After all, look what's happened in a brief period of time: Afghanistan (news - web sites), the Palestinian elections, which I think are incredibly hopeful elections, as well as the Ukraine and now Iraq.

We are witnessing amazing history. And the fundamental question is: Can we advance that history?

I firmly planted the flag of liberty for all to see that the United States of America hears their concerns and believes in their aspirations. And I am excited by the challenge and am honored to be able to lead our nation in the quest of this noble goal, which is freeing people in the name of peace.

Q: Mr. President, the Senate Republicans recently listed their priorities, and immigration reform wasn't on it. Do you think this means it's dead for this year?

BUSH: No, I appreciate that question. It'll be one of my priorities. I believe it's necessary to reform the immigration system.

On the other hand, I do want to recognize a system where a willing worker and a willing employer are willing to come together in a way that enables people to find work without jeopardizing a job that an American would otherwise want to do.

I also happen to believe immigration reform is necessary to help make it easier to protect our borders.

The system right now spawns coyotes and smugglers and, you know, people willing to break the law to get people in our country. There is a vast network of, kind of, shadowy traffickers.

And I believe by making — by advancing a program that enables people to come into our country in a legal way to work for a period of time for jobs that Americans won't do will help make it easier for us to secure our borders.

BUSH: Well, you know, I think — I'm looking forward to discussing it with members of both parties.

BUSH: I believe it's a very important issue that we need to address. I've had a lot of experience with dealing with borders as the governor of Texas. I know there's a compassionate, humane way to deal with this issue.

I want to remind people that family values do not stop at the Rio Grande river. People are coming to our country to do jobs that Americans won't do, to be able to feed their families. And I think there's a humane way to recognize that, at the same time protect our borders, and at the same way to make sure that we don't disadvantage those who have stood in line for years to become a legal citizen.

Q: Mr. President, we saw the Democrats yesterday devote nine hours to Ms. Rice. We may see something similar with regard to Judge Gonzales. There's just simply a lot of anger on the Hill by Democrats at you personally and at your administration.

And isn't this going to dog your efforts at whatever you do down the line, from the Supreme Court to immigration to whatever?

And I'm, as I say, I'm going to go out and explain why I think it's important for us to address big issues, like Social Security reform, and take my case to the people and let them here the rationale about why even address big issues, much less the reason why I think, for example, in Social Security, there is an issue.

And I don't know about hostility, you know, and all that business. I guess that's your job to gauge that. When I've talked with people, I feel like people are looking forward to working with us.

Q: Well, you had a Democratic senator basically call your secretary of state nominee a liar. I mean, that's some pretty harsh language ...

BUSH: Well, there are 99 senators other than that person. And I'm looking forward to working with as many members as we can.

Condi Rice is a fine, fine public servant, greatly admired here in America and greatly admired around the world. And she will make a great secretary of state. And I'm looking forward to working with her.

Listen, thank you all every much for your time. I appreciate this and looking forward to working with you all as we have a productive 2005.

President Bush said:
"I think the Iraqi people are wondering whether or not this nation has the will necessary to stand with them as a democracy evolves."

I think the American people are wondering whether or not Iraq has the will necessary to stand with them as a democracy evolves. I'm worried that the Iraqis do not have that will.

I wish he would go one step further and point out that the game is in progress and for the Democrats to be shouting from the bleachers just how bad the coach is, and how bad the team's strategy is, is actually counterproductive to the team's ability to succeed.

The election is over. The Dems should be roundly criticized for continuing to use the war as a wedge in this country.

It is plainly obvious that the Democrats are actually *praying* for the worst to happen in Iraq. THAT is not supporting the troops or our nation.

Thanks for the post. I was not able to watch it but am glad I had a chance to read what was said. The President did great!

The thing that stands out to me the most is his restraint when answering questions about the partisan efforts in Congress. He just reinforced Condi's credentials and makes them look foolish.

I also really love his assertions about taking SS reform to the people. That's what Reagan did when he wanted to get something done. It works.

Totally agree with you, but I can't help but think that the administrations strategy is to let the Dems self-destruct, which they are doing a pretty good job of. I mean this grandstanding by Senator Boxer and Kennedy makes them look so petty and foolish.

As Rush said on his show today, they do it because it USED to be effective. They used to be able to scare people, but it doesn't work anymore. People listen, watch, and laugh.

And we didn't know about this in the White House.

Yeah, right. After all the uproar over the fake news stories pumping up the Medicare prescription benefits, he didn't know his people were doing this?

Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet.

Good. Here's a list of other propaganda you can stop:

Paying commentators, DONE, congrats!
Paying for fake news stories.
Paying for abstinence-only programs in schools
Funding for the failed DARE program
ONDCP getting TV shows to have anti-drug themes
Public service ads on controversial issues
The drug czar running around the country on our tax dollars giving speeches to try to influence state referendums

Any I've missed?

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.