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.)
Yes, there are, snugs. But someone like the VP has actually progressed in his career. He's had many jobs in both elective and executive government, as well as having done work in the private sector. That's far different from someone who sits in the exact same job for nearly his entire adult life.
I mean, think about it! For 40, sometimes even 50 years, people like Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd and others like them don't progress. They are very wealthy people who don't have to work. But they keep running for the senate well into their 70's and 80's, and occasionally into their 90's. Heck, Strom Thurmond was first elected to the senate in the 1940's and stayed there until just a few years ago. He ran one more time at the age of 94, because he wanted to be the first sitting senator to make it to the age of 100. I know he was reelected, but the whole thing is stupid. Toward the end of his last term, they were doing just about everything possible to keep him alive just so he'd make it to the end of his term. He died shortly after he retired.
Just because one can do something, doesn't mean they should.
Yes, they were. Thanks to the American GI, sailor, Marine and airman, countless millions of people are living free today. With our history, it is a true disgrace that today's Democrat Party (and its toadies in the media) are the one of the biggest roadblocks to freedom in Iraq.
Grin...glad you enjoyed the, Merlinator. Sorry I didn't reply earlier. Went off line to get dinner and to feed my four-legged crew.
Hi, WestCoastGal. Barney probably takes a sweet latte of some sort, LOL!
You are so very welcome, "Before."
LOL! Yep, and they came in handy today for humor and diversion while we were all anxiously waiting on the Iraqi elections.
***Cal Thomas on FOX said what is going on now in Iraq is
like watching the Berlin wall come down. ***
Worth repeating.
It just makes me happy knowing so many people enjoyed it. As for Ted Kennedy, he should retire.
If she saw that photo, I wouldn't doubt she try and have a word with her granddaughter. But Jenna's at the age where she would probably blow it off.
ROFLMAO!
That little dog is really so wonderful. Like his best buddy, the President, Barney has so many expressions.
Think of the fun you're going to have when Miss Beazley has more pix to choose from. Since Barney is being protective of her, he'll probably warn her about Kennedy, not to mention Hitlery.
Barney says you never know where Ted will pass out.
60+ years ago is ancient history to people of Harry's age. That's not an excuse by any means, but it is an explanation.
Lovely to see, isn't it. The President is magical with kids.
I truly look every day for fresh photos of her. But I guess Barney has already taught her to avoid the WH photographers, sigh.
When Beezie gets big enough, Barney will take one ankle and she'll take the other of ever Dim who crosses the WH threshhold.
Fifteen years from now, many people will mark tomorrow as a significant benchmark in their lives. If it turns out to be the beginning of the end of radical Islamist terrorist and strife in the Middle East, it will be one of the greatest watershed moments in all of human history.
Hi Wolf, That is a special dog. I saw several pictures of some of the Iraqis from San Diego voting and celebrating.
Over 30,000 here. Most are Chaldeans and several thousand
Kurds.
What a powerful picture of a man with literally, the world on his shoulders. Good thing he has nice strong ones.
The biggest problem is that the mothers of today's teenagers don't WANT to grow up. They want to 'be cool', and want their daughters to be considered 'cool' so they buy them the latest fashions in clothes even though they are 'slutwear' as far as I'm concerned. They also push them into dating too soon, likely wanting to be thought of as 'the coolest mom' in her daughter's crowd. See what I mean about not having grown up?
Ironically, one of our sons' (they're 22 and 25) friends called me 'the coolest mom' while he was visiting us over Christmas. Why? Because our house is always open to him and our sons' other friends, but they know that there is a standard of behavior and LANGUAGE when they're here. When they were in high school, they were always hanging out here, and only once did I ever have to tell them that 'we don't talk like that in our house'.
Frankly, I think it's because there's always food here and they know the kitchen is open to them and they can help themselves. Brandon even remarked when he walked upstairs from the basement to the kitchen that our house had the most incredible smells at dinner time. Made me proud, I can tell ya!
Thankfully, our only daughter, who will be 17 in Feb., just HATES the latest fashions in clothes. She is happy in jeans (not the low riders) and a t-shirt that covers everything. As far as I've seen, NONE of her friends are into the 'ho' look, for which I'm grateful!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.