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.)
Hey, I could read it all ... that's good enough for me.
I can't read my own writing...or, unfortunately, remember what I wrote.
Loved your Barney and Willie essay.
Hey, Barney pics and Jenna gossip are always welcome around here.
Wonderful Dose today. I know everyone else has said this but the Barney sequence really is very cute and ingenious!
Praying for our troops and the brave Iraqi voters! They make unca teddy look more pathetic than usual.
I must be totally desensitized because I thought the picture with Jenna and beau cute and fun.
Good to know I'm not the only one who didn't think too much of it.
Looks pretty typical to me.
I'm sure Barbara Bush has already "spoken" to both Jenna and her boyfriend. LOL!
And all the Washington Post was concerned about was his wardroom....nah, they're not biased!
She's not pulling away from him; heck if you've ever been to any of the Corral Clubs at the Hosuston Livestock Show and Rodeo (and don't come looking for fake documents to pass to Rather), you'd see alot of us Texas women dancing like that - keep that beer upright and don't spill a drop!
thank you thank you thank you - those pix of Barney are priceless!!!! Made me laugh out loud!
Barney, do you think Ted Kennedy would fit in that crawl space? I agree it would be a fitting hideout for the slime ball but he'd need lots of help to get in there. Very round peg in a squared hole.
I went to Dachau when living in Germany (W. Germany at the time I was there) and you cannot imagine the sadness. To think that that madman slaughtered 6 million Jews (and Lord knows how many others) is something that a sane mind cannot fathom. I think what Prince Harry showed with his distasteful "costume" was that the young people (not only in this country but all over Europe) have no idea what that monster, Hitler, did to this planet...it's been glossed over and forgotten....how sad!
Thanks for this post. It's still painful to watch and listen to. We can't ever forget. God bless.
The little boy is darling and the little girl has an expression of absolute adoration.
I went to Dachau when living in Germany (W. Germany at the time I was there) and you cannot imagine the sadness
Know what you mean. in 1983 I saw Buckenwald in East Germany. I grew up in an orthodox Jewish neighborhood
here in San Diego. My neighbors in the 1950s still had their numbers tatoded on their arm from the camps.
Cal Thomas on FOX said what is going on now in Iraq is
like watching the Berlin wall come down.
Geraldo said left, center and right should come together
to support what is going on now in Iraq with the voting.
Good evening, snugs. It's 7:45pm Pacific time, and I've come back online for a few minutes just to catch up with the thread. Thanks for letting me know that the WH website confirms that India's nickname is Willie. It's the President's "fault" [chuckle], thanks to his tendency to nickname everyone.
Thank YOU, homemom, for the encouragement.
Glad you enjoyed them, hershey. Sorry I didn't reply earlier, but I had gone off line shortly before you posted. It's great fun to use Barney photos to tell a story.
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