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.)
jtill, it truly delights me to find someone else who sees what I see in a photo like that of the Korean War Memorial. I imagine mist could definitely create the same haunting effect. The snowy image is stunning and did the same thing for me -- brought me into those cold, miserable killing fields of Korea from over 50 years ago.
You have good tastes in literature!
"Much Ado About Nothing" is a real gem...Dogberry is a hoot. I love when Leonato says he is "too cunning to be understood."
Yes, as will that teenage girl in the center of the photo. She is positively beaming with delight.
It is, for sure. Either way, I think we both agree the young man was out of line, especially for an event celebrating the 2nd inaugural of his date's father! Doesn't make me very comfortable with the dude, so I hope you're right that Jenna can take care of herself.
Whoops sorry double post
Oh, absolutely. Any "god" that would supposedly require his faithful to wantonly slaughter innocents the way the radical Islamofacists do is no "god" I'd ever want to acknowledge, let alone follow.
I could almost feel what they went through in the Korean winters. Oh, the American soldier! What an incalculable gift to mankind they have been and are, from the 1770's right up to today in Iraq.
Oh, I definitely think that was uncouth.
It's one thing to be acting that way at a dance club (which I don't necessarily want to see there, either) but at an event celebrating her father, who was elected on the basis of faith and values, it is uncalled for.
Decidedly bad taste.
She is my age and I know it is "no big deal" to carry on like that to a lot of people our age. But I find it disrespectful in public.
Doin fine except for having to listen to the insane ramblings of Teddy Kennedy and Barbara Boxer. This place brings the sanity back.
I have to agree with you Phancy she does seem sometimes to be over the top especially as her father is President.
Maybe it is when the drink flows maybe she cannot handle it.
But snugs, it has happened again -- and again, and again. Maybe not in exactly the same way as the Nazis, but human beings with "high opinions of themselves" have continued to seize power in their nations and wantonly slaughtered millions of other human beings. And plenty of politicians in nations spared by such horror in the post-WWII period simply looked the other way.
Just look at the one example of Iraq. The Iraqi people suffered a holocost just as horrific as that which happened in Europe over 60 years ago. What did the enlightened nations of Europe and the vaunted UN do about it? Traded with Hussein, which just helped him torture his people more. Finally, and at long last, GWB comes along and puts an end to the Hussein regime, and what happens?
With the exception of the UK, Poland, Australia, Spain under Aznar, Italy, and a few others, that same enlightened Europe, with a high opinion of itself, viciously turned on the American president and, the way I look at it, the American people.
In that case she should probably take it easier with the drinks. I have friends like that.
A gal can get in trouble if she isn't careful.
Then I respect your opinion even more that Jenna can take care of yourself.
Bitt, that is a wonderful photo, especially when one sees the date. That 9.20.01 speech lives on in my mind and heart as the most stunning he ever gave. Thanks for digging it up and reposting it.
Boxer is one of my senators, and I never listen to her. I do enjoy calling her office and complaining frequently, though. As for Kennedy, you see what Barney thinks of him. The little fella is busy patroling the WH grounds just itching to take a bite out of a pickeled Hyannisport ankle.
The only good thing I can think of that came out of "girl power" as it were, is the concept that a girl should be more than comfortable putting her foot down when she wants to.
Of course, the bad side to it as that girls are encouraged to *ahem* advance on guys, so promiscuity is wildly popular as a result.
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