White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe briefs reporters, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, in Crawford, Texas.
Gordon Johndroe: Good morning. The President had a rather full morning this morning, so let me run through it and then I'll be happy to take your questions.The President started his day by recording the radio address; the topic is energy. The President urges Congress to work with him to expand domestic oil production and take meaningful steps now to address the pain caused by high energy prices.
He then heard from Secretary Rice on her trip to Baghdad and received an update from his national security team on the current situation in Iraq; that was by secure video. He then had his normal intelligence briefing after that, also by secure video. President Bush spoke to Prime Minister Maliki of Iraq. The two discussed the agreement we are currently working on with the Iraqis and agreed that our teams would continue those discussions.
After that, the President spoke by phone to French President Sarkozy. The President expressed his condolences to President Sarkozy and the people of France for the soldiers recently lost in Afghanistan. The two discussed President Sarkozy's recent trip to Afghanistan. They also shared assessments on the situation in Georgia. The two agreed that Russia is not in compliance and that Russia needs to come into compliance now.
Also, next week the President will return to Washington on Wednesday. On Friday, the President meets with the President of Tanzania in the Oval Office, and that evening the President will attend, at the United States Marine Corps Barracks in Washington, the Evening Parade.