Posted on 09/10/2001 9:03:36 PM PDT by Utah Girl
Transcript of Ari Fleischer Press Gaggle To Travel Pool
U.S. Newswire
10 Sep 17:14
Transcript of Sept. 10 Press Gaggle To The Travel Pool By Ari
Fleischer in Jacksonville, Fla
To: National Desk
Contact: White House Press Office, 202-456-2580
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is the
transcript of a press gaggle to the travel pool by Ari
Fleischer:
Office of the Press Secretary
(Jacksonville, Florida)
3:28 P.M. EDT
Q: -- reduction of Social Security?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President is going to continue to keep his
eye on the economy, because he believes that the economic
recovery plan will bring the economy back and is bringing the
economy back. And he'll be open-minded about possible other
ideas.
Q: Has he talked to Senator Lott about his idea?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as you know, he met with Senator Lott on
Friday, but the -- two-year change of the payroll tax.
Q: Right.
MR. FLEISCHER: That did not come up Friday.
Q: But cap gains did?
MR. FLEISCHER: Correct.
Q: Has he talked to Senator Lott since Friday about that
idea?
MR. FLEISCHER: If he did over the weekend, I don't know.
Q: Under the President's -- I mean, obviously, he doesn't set
economic policy, but he leads. At what point does he say, okay,
it's not working, we're not seeing growth picking up by the end
of the year?
MR. FLEISCHER: You've got to go back to the way I started to
answer the question, which is that the President has faith and
confidence that the economic recovery plan that is still going
into effect, that is still being received, will get the job
done.
Q: Are you hearing from a lot of Republicans worried about
the election next year, saying, well, fine, wait; but wait may
not be soon enough for us?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President's eyes are on the big picture,
on the economy, on doing the right things to promote growth now
and in the long term.
Q: Does he hear that from the Republicans who are up for
election next year?
MR. FLEISCHER: He knows that Republicans want to have
reasoned, sound judgment and any short-term rushes --
Q: But he's not hearing any drum beat from the rank and file,
do something now?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, he's hearing, do the right thing.
Q: -- the President did not address the economy today in
the photo ops. Is there a danger in talking too much about it,
so that --
MR. FLEISCHER: No, but the focus today is on reading, on
education. And the American people have a number of top concerns
-- improving education, particularly in our nation's public
schools, is one of them. This, too, is a top national priority,
and the President will not let it go unaddressed.
Q: So no words on the economy from him here?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President's focus today will be on reading
and on education. As I've indicated, the President is going to
focus on education, the economy, on security and on opportunity.
That's his focus.
Q: Is it now a given that this fiscal year you're going to
have to dip into Social Security, by as much as $9 billion?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, the President's budget indicates that it
won't. We'll have final figures, of course, after the fiscal
year closes on September 30th. That's when we'll get the most
accurate --
Q: But is that not what Mitch Daniels told members on the
Hill last week?
MR. FLEISCHER: I can only talk about what --
Q: Doesn't he represent the administration and the President
on Capitol Hill?
MR. FLEISCHER: The administration also knows we'll get the
most accurate read after September 30th, when the books close.
Q: So nobody has gone to investigate whether or not Mitch
actually said that?
MR. FLEISCHER: The point is, September 30th, when the books
close, is when we'll know.
Q: You've got no intention of submitting a new budget; do
you, Ari, in response to the Democrats --
MR. FLEISCHER: No. The people who are asking for a new budget
are the people who voted on the existing budget and whose
position did not prevail. Everybody always wants a do-over if
they come up on the wrong side of a winning vote.
Q: Is the President heartened by hearing Democrats calling
for tax cuts, as well?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President was heartened that so many
Democrats voted with him on the economic recovery package that
included tax relief. So there are some Democrats in the
leadership -- Gordon's playing with children his own age.
(laughter) -- some Democrats in the leadership, of course, who
oppose the tax cut that would be the cure for the economy. But
there are many other Democrats who voted with the President, and
he's heartened by that.
Q: What do you think about Senator Daschle's position, which
is to basically leave it all up to the President to come
up with a recovery plan?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President has already put in place a
recovery plan. But it does seem odd for Democrats to criticize
without offering any plans of their own. Do the Democrats have
an alternative package for economic growth, or is their only
package criticism?
Q: On whom, Ari, is the President relying when you say that
he is so confident that his economic plan will, in fact, turn
the economy around? On what basis does he rely? Is that Larry
Lindsey telling him -- because he, himself, is not an economist.
MR. FLEISCHER: A wide variety, actually, Jay. There is a long
series of private sector forecasters who have indicated that the
tax cut is coming at the right time, and they do predict that it
adds to growth.
And, especially given the fact that there are additional
rebate checks going on and there's another round of incumbent
tax rate reductions scheduled already for January 1st. This tax
cut continues to be felt and continues to benefit the economy.
Q: Thanks, Ari.
END 3:34 P.M.
My sentiments exactly, Miss Marple.
I watch all of Ari's WH briefings on C-Span. I was even watching re-runs when he was on vacation. He is amazing. I think he looks best in the sage grey/green suit with a white shirt.
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