Posted on 01/29/2005 12:34:59 PM PST by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The first family appears to be spending the weekend at the White House, where the President will monitor progress of the Iraqi elections tomorrow. Depending on events, it is possible he may speak with the media tomorrow.
Press Secretary Scott McClellan told the WH press corps: "My understanding is that the election will be basically taking place from about -- from around 11:00 p.m. Eastern time to 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Sunday. And he'll receive updates as needed. And, obviously, he'll be paying close attention to it. I mean, I think most people expect the results are going to take a couple of weeks -- take a couple of weeks for the results to come in.
In his weekly radio address, the President said, "Tomorrow the world will witness a turning point in the history of Iraq, a milestone in the advance of freedom, and a crucial advance in the war on terror. The Iraqi people will make their way to polling centers across their nation. On the national ballot alone, voters will choose from nearly 19,000 candidates competing for seats in the Transitional National Assembly, in the country's 18 provincial councils, and in the Kurdistan National Assembly."
He went on to say, "This election is also important for America. Our nation has always been more secure when freedom is on the march. As hope and freedom spread, the appeal of terror and hate will fade. And there is not a democratic nation in our world that threatens the security of the United States. The best way to ensure the success of democracy is through the advance of democracy.
"Tomorrow's election will add to the momentum of democracy. One Iraqi, speaking about the upcoming vote, said, 'Now, most people feel they are living in darkness. It is time for us to come into the light.' Every Iraqi who casts his or her vote deserves the admiration of the world. And free people everywhere send their best wishes to the Iraqi people as they move further into the light of liberty."
PRESIDENTIAL CALENDAR: The week ahead. (Source, WH Press Secretary Scott McClellan's 1/28/05 press briefing.)
Monday, the President will go to the Department of Education and participate in a swearing-in ceremony for the new Secretary of Education. And then at the White House later that day, he'll participate in a photo opportunity and make remarks to the Detroit Pistons. That will be in the East Room.Tuesday, the President will sign the Presidential Proclamation on National Heart Health Awareness Month in the Oval Office. This is an effort that Mrs. Bush has been very involved in.
Wednesday, the President will deliver the State of the Union address.
Thursday, the President will make remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. Then he begins a two-day domestic trip. The President will participate in a conversation on Social Security reform starting in Fargo, North Dakota. Then he will go to Great Falls, Montana, and will stay overnight in Omaha, Nebraska.
Friday, the President will participate in a conversation on Social Security in Omaha, as well as Little Rock, Arkansas and Tampa, Florida, before returning to Washington.
PRESIDENTIAL CALENDAR: February. (Source, AP and various news reports)
President Bush plans to have dinner with French President Jacques Chirac during a European trip next month, beginning the first overseas trip of his second term.
"The president looks forward to working together with President Chirac and all our European allies to strengthen freedom, democracy and security throughout the world," Scott McClellan said Monday (1/24/05). McClellan said GWB and Chirac will have a working dinner on Feb. 21 in Brussels on the eve of a day of meetings with leaders of NATO and the European Union.
The President plans to stop in Germany, and will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on a stop in the Slovak Republic during his visit to Europe. The President will meet with the Slovak leaders in addition to Putin.
A Feb. 23 meeting in Mainz has been scheduled between GWB and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, according to several German media reports, which also stated that GWB might visit U.S. troops at nearby Wiesbaden Army Airfield. The German reports quoted regional and national officials. The White House previously had announced Bush’s plan to visit Germany following the Feb. 22 meetings in Brussels, Belgium, with NATO and European Union leaders. But two military spokespersons in Wiesbaden — Army Maj. Michael Indovina of the Wiesbaden-based 1st Armored Division and Donna Dean, public affairs officer for the 221st Base Support Battalion — both said they were unaware of any plan for the president to come there.
A State Department spokesman also said he did not know if Bush was coming to the Frankfurt area. "All the details are being worked out as far as we know," said Jeff Arnold, the assistant public affairs officer at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt. "We’re not going to say anything until the White House announces further details. We’re anxiously awaiting."
Schroeder was a vocal opponent of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. His country, however, has a large number of troops serving in the multinational security coalition in Afghanistan.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: This is actually a short exchange between the President and newly promoted Fox News Chief White House Correspondent, Carl Cameron. Our presidential imp poked a little gentle fun at Carl as a way of welcoming him to the WH press corps.
THE PRESIDENT: Carl, welcome to the beat. Is everybody thrilled Carl is here?
A: Yes. (Laughter.)
Carl Cameron: Thanks, very much.
THE PRESIDENT: Please express a little more enthusiasm for him. (Laughter.)
Cameron: A question on Social Security, if we may, sir. There has been, as you move forward to making your plan -- your ultimate proposal, growing concern among Republicans on Capitol Hill. We had Chairman Thomas last week with some concern about the process, and Senator Olympia Snowe on the other side suggesting that she's concerned about an absentee guaranteed benefit -- excuse me. Are you prepared today to say that those who opt into a potential private account -- personal account could, in fact, have a guaranteed benefit, as well? And what do you say to Republicans who are beginning to worry?
THE PRESIDENT: I am looking forward to working with both Republicans and Democrats to advance a plan that will permanently solve Social Security.
There is -- I met yesterday with members of the United States Senate, I'm meeting today with members of the House of Representatives to discuss the need to work together to get a -- a solution that will fix the problem. And here's the problem: the -- as dictated by just math, there is -- the system will be in the red in 13 years, and in 2042 the system will be broke. That's because people are living longer, and the number of people paying into the Social Security trust is dwindling. And so, therefore, if you have a child -- how old is your child, Carl?
Cameron: Fourteen years old.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, 14. Well, if she were --
Cameron: He, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: He, excuse me. (Laughter.) I should have done the background check. (Laughter.)
Yep. I am actually kind of excited myself. It is amazing to me that we can't get people off of their sofas to vote over here, yet people may well get killed in Iraq trying to exercise their new right to vote.
I just hope the media (including FOX, which has been falling down on the job a bit) will show some places where voting will take place without incident, instead of focusing on the trouble spots.
LOL! Typical Dubya. He's actually very quick with those sorts of off-the-cuff jokes.
Well, where I'm at in Los Angeles, it's not quite 3:00pm. So you're not late at all. :-)
If she did that, the old sot wouldn't know what hit him!
You're welcome.
For the IRAQI ELECTIONS
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
If she didn't, she'd fall on her tush, LOL!
The rest of Mike's BN is on schedule for their Feb return to the states...
Didn't get the post until it had 100 replys or so, dang! But God bless you for being in LA, it's 18 degrees here in NY and was -14 this am when I got up to frozen pipes!!!
While FOX certainly is better than its competitors, I'm not as big a fan as many other FReepers are of them.
It isn't just the bloodthirsty terrorists who have been trying to intimidate Iraqis into not voting, it's the scuzzy media as well.
VERY funny captions about Kennedy!
And YES, I have laughed at a Liberal today!
Bumper Sticker... Middle Class White Guys against Bush!
I'm still laughing!
;-)
You're right. He'd think one of his old girlfriends did it.
Patricaruth, thank you for posting Psalm 23. It is by far my favorite Psalm.
I'm glad the infection seems to be resolved! Sorry your mum was confused; is she upset by the confusion, or doesn't she realize it?
Struck dumb with fear when they saw President Bush's poll ratings during the weeks after 9/11, the liberals (MSM, Europe, DNC, etc) tried everything in the book to attack him in the months and years afterward, and they didn't get their toehold until only scraps of WMD were found, and they could claim "Bush lied", and then disenchant Americans over the war in Iraq with weeks of pictures from Abu Ghraib. Remember Hillary in the Senate with the newspaper headline "BUSH KNEW!" just weeks after 9/11??? This is not about the war in Iraq. Never was. It is about worldwide socialistfascists assumption of power and dictating life to the rest of us. It is about one phoney issue after another that the left wing fascist's bring up to scare supporters into sending them money and to get vote to take over complete control of our culture and our minds.
Brrrrrr. Gives me the chills just thinking about that kind of cold. I grew up in the NYC metro area, so I remember such winter days.
What really upsets me about Kennedy is that there is a pic of him with the Pres., taken shortly after 9/11 I think, where the Pres. has his hands on Teddy's shoulders and they're both smiling. And in one of his speeches right after 9/11, the Pres. publically thanked Kennedy for being with Laura as it was happening. Now Kennedy just seems to constantly stab him in the back. I wonder if the Pres. is upset about it?
You know, alcohol is a cleanser, so Teddy's germs have probably been neutralized. :-)
Hi Emily!
Glad you enjoyed them. I have to figure out a different sequence to skewer Boxer.
That bumper sticker, LOL!
You are absolutely right. If Clinton had somehow found the balls to invade Iraq and take out Hussein, the exact same Leftist crowd that screech about GWB and the war would have been singing hosannas in Clinton's praise. He'd get the Nobel Peace Prize, and would be honored and feted from now until forever.
They do not want to see a Right-of-center U.S. president succeed. Period. That's the sole motivation for their rotten behavior.
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