A Day (weekend) in the Life of President Bush... (Photos and news) 09-06/07-08

www.yahoo.com/news www.whitehouse.gov/news ^ | 7th September 2008 | Snugs

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

September 6, 2008

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Throughout the past week, Americans anxiously watched weather conditions in the Gulf Coast region. The people of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas were well prepared for Hurricane Gustav -- and the coordination between these States and the Federal government was strong.

Now, we're focusing on the relief effort. Gustav caused damage to infrastructure, forced tens of thousands into shelters, and left more than a million people without power. The Federal government is working with State and local officials to repair this damage, to help residents get back home, and to return life in the region to normal as soon as possible.

While these relief efforts have been in progress, we've also been preparing for the arrival of storms like Hanna, Ike, and others that may follow. My Administration will continue to provide assistance to those affected by violent weather throughout this hurricane season. And we will continue to work diligently to coordinate our emergency response efforts with State and local governments.

While the Federal government continues this vital work, there are also important responsibilities awaiting members of Congress as they return to Washington. In just a few weeks, members will be back out on the campaign trail, emphasizing the differences between the two parties. But before they leave Washington, they should show that they can work together on bipartisan measures to help strengthen America's economy: measures like approving the Colombia and Korean free trade agreements, extending relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax, and addressing one of the American people's biggest concerns -- the high price of gasoline.

The fundamental reason for high gasoline prices is that the supply of oil is not keeping pace with demand. By increasing supply through the use of our domestic resources, we can begin reducing the pressure on prices. So in June, I called on Congress to open up more of America's domestic oil resources for exploration -- including offshore exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf. The American people overwhelmingly support this proposal. But throughout the summer, the leaders of the Democratic Congress refused to allow it to come to a vote.

At the very least, Congress should take action on three common-sense energy solutions that enjoy bipartisan support.

First, Congress should open the way for environmentally responsible offshore exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf. Experts believe that these areas could eventually produce nearly 10 years' worth of America's current annual oil production. This exploration is now banned by a provision included in the annual interior appropriations bill. Congress should remove this restriction immediately.

Second, Congress should expand access to oil shale -- a domestic resource that could produce the equivalent of more than a century's worth of imports at current levels. Last year, however, Democratic leaders slipped a provision blocking oil shale leasing on Federal lands into an omnibus spending bill. They should lift that ban immediately.

Third, Congress should extend renewable power tax credits to spur the development of alternative sources of energy like wind and solar. They should make these credits long term and expand them to cover all forms of low-emission power generation -- including nuclear power. In the long run, increasing production of low-carbon electricity can help us reduce our addiction to oil by allowing us to power a new generation of plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

This Congress has earned a reputation as one of the least productive in history. Throughout this year, Democratic leaders have ignored the public's demand for relief from high energy prices. This is their final chance to take action before the November elections. If members of Congress do not support the American people at the gas pump, then they should not expect the American people to support them at the ballot box.

Thank you for listening.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

President Bush, left, congratulates 8-year-old Bridget Donahue of Westborough, Mass., the daughter of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer William Donahue, following a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

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A reporter (R) takes shelter from the rain as she and security personnel (C) watch U.S. President George W. Bush return from Camp David to the White House via Marine One helicopter September 6, 2008

President George W. Bush salutes in the rain as he returns from Camp David to the White House in Washington September 6, 2008.

President George W. Bush waves as he walks under the heavy rain from Tropical Storm Hanna at the White House upon his return to Washington, DC on September 6, 2008.

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President Bush arrives at the White House and makes his way to the Oval Office in the rain from Camp David, Md. Saturday, Sep. 6, 2008, in Washington.

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Washington Redskins football head coach Jim Zorn, second right, steps out of the presidential motorcade after arriving at the White House, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in Washington. Zorn spent the morning biking with President Bush.

Jim Zorn (2nd L), head coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins, returns to the White House after a Sunday morning bike ride with US President George W. Bush (R) in Washington September 7, 2008.

Jim Zorn (R), head coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins, departs the White House after returning from a Sunday morning bike ride with U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington September 7, 2008.

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President George W. Bush (L) and Dugout the mascot stand for the national anthem before a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington September 7, 2008.

The band Rascal Flatts performs the National Anthem before the start of a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

Youngsters of military families recite the Little League National Anthem before the start of a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the White House in Washington.

President Bush, right, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen, address youngsters of military families before the start of a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, at the White House in Washington. The game, the 20th of the administration, is scheduled to be the last game President Bush will host before leaving office.

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Little League mascot Dugout flashes the thumbs-up before the start of a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff US Navy Admiral Michael Mullen (L), Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (C) and US President George W. Bush applaud during a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington September 7, 2008.

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First lady Laura Bush, center, and her daughters Barbara Bush, top left, and Jenna Hager, right, watch the Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

President Bush's son-in-law Henry Hager, right, and his wife Jenna, second from right, join sister Barbara Bush and, Jay Blount along with first lady Laura Bush, bottom left, and Deborah Mullen, bottom right, wife of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, not pictured, as they watch a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

President Bush's daughter Barbara Bush, second from right, and her male acquaintance Jay Blount lock eyes during a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

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Youngsters of military families compete in a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

Former Major League Baseball and New York Yankees' outfielder Bernie Williams keeps a watchful eye as first-base coach while youngsters of military families compete in a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USMC Gen. Peter Pace, a third-base coach for a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game encourages youngsters of military families as they compete, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

Caden Schlink of Casa Grande, Arizona, bats during a Tee Ball game attended by US President George W. Bush (not pictured) on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, September 7, 2008.

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President George W. Bush (R) poses with unidentified guests after a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, September 7, 2008

Little League mascot Dugout, right, congratulates 5-year-old Mason Davis, the son of Coast Guard Lt. Jay E. Davis, during a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008,

President Bush, left, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen, center, wait to congratulate youngsters of military families following the Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008,

President George W. Bush (C) greets one of the players after a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington September 7, 2008

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President George W. Bush (L) shakes hands with one of the players after a Tee Ball game on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, September 7, 2008

President Bush, left, congratulates 8-year-old Bridget Donahue of Westborough, Mass., the daughter of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer William Donahue, following a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

The presidential seal is seen on a commemorative baseball presented to youngsters of military families following a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

President Bush's signature is seen on a commemorative baseball presented to youngsters of military families following a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

President Bush's daughter Barbara Bush walks down a set of bleachers following a Tee Ball on the South Lawn baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

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Vice President Dick Cheney, arrives at a global conference of political and business leaders in Cernobbio, by the Como lake, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. Vice President Cheney is in this resort on Lake Como to attend an annual gathering of global political and business leaders. His visit is part of a tour that has also included Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

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Vice President Dick Cheney addresses the Ambrosetti Conference Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 at Lago di Como, Italy

Vice President Dick Cheney addresses the Ambrosetti Conference Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 at Lago di Como, Italy. In his remarks the Vice President condemned the recent Russian aggression in the Caucasus region and challenged Moscow's forceful manipulation of energy resources in Central Asia. White House photo by David Bohrer

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Vice President Dick Cheney meets with President Shimon Peres of Israel Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 during the Ambrosetti Forum at Lago di Como, Italy. White House photo by David Bohrer

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Vice President Dick Cheney speaks with an advisor Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, between meetings at the Ambrosetti Forum on the shoreline of Lago di Como in Cernobbio, Italy. Following his visit to Lago di Como, the Vice President will travel to Rome to meet with Italian officials on the final leg of an international trip to Europe and Central Asia. White House photo by David Bohrer

Vice President Dick Cheney, left, shakes hands with an unidentified interpreter of FAES (Foundation for Social Studies and Analysis) as he meets Spain's former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, second from right, at a global conference of political and business leaders in Cernobbio, by the Como lake, Italy, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008. The Vice President met Jose Maria Aznar on the sidelines of the global conference in northern Italy and he said after the 40-minute talks that they had discussed "the international situation," including the Georgian crisis, Europe and NATO and that the meeting "went well" and added that Dick Cheney is "a good friend."

Vice President Dick Cheney talks with former President of Spain José Aznar Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008 during the Ambrosetti Forum at Lago di Como, Italy. The Ambrosetti Forum brings together prominent figures from public and private sectors for discussions on current world issues in global economics and security. White House photo by David Bohrer

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Vice President Dick Cheney is seen, during a global conference of political and business leaders in Cernobbio, by the Como lake, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. The Vice President renewed his call for cooperation between Europe and Washington over the Georgia crisis, Italy's foreign minister said on Sunday.

Vice President Dick Cheney gestures before boarding the plane at the Malpensa airport of Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. Dick Cheney's visit to Italy was part of a tour that also took him to Georgia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan

Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, wave before boarding the plane at the Malpensa airport of Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008

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