Scott McClellan

“ Q Scott, on tax cuts, is the White House amenable to what appears to be growing momentum in the Senate at least to front-load the tax cut perhaps in the first year, even if that were to increase the overall size of the package to provide more of a stimulus? ”

“ This is a decision he has made based on what he believes is in the best interest of the American people and the best interest of this nation. The President does not make decisions by polls. The President makes decisions based on what he believes is right for America. ”

“ Spain is a close NATO ally, making important contributions to stability, security and prosperous in the Euro-Atlantic area, and the visit will reaffirm the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between Spain and the United States. ”

“ Q Has Taiwan ever come up during the discussion, when the President met with his national security team? MR. McCLELLAN: Has Taiwan? Q Yes, this morning. MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, this morning? I will check on things, see if I can get you a further readout. Q Again, the same question, have the Chinese given us any indication of why we cannot have access to the crew? I asked the same question at the State Department, and they directed me to China. ”

“ Q Could you address Senator Daschle's comments yesterday that the White House's position on campaign financing and its apparent suggestion that the Hagel bill might be a better alternative is actually, in his words, a Trojan horse, that if Hagel becomes the vehicle, Democrat support will fall off, campaign finance will, in effect, go nowhere, and at the end of the process there won't be a signable bill. ”

“ Q At the State Department, Richard Boucher was asked whether we knew where the crew was, physically -- whether it was in the plane, on the base, wherever it was. He said he didn't know. Does the White House know where the crew is, physically? MR. McCLELLAN: If I have more information, I'll get that to you. But State Department would be -- Q There are reports that they're in some kind of guest house, what they call a guest house. MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what the Chinese government had indicated to us is that they are providing humanitarian assistance to the crew. ”

“ Well, again, you're getting into some of -- I want the President to be able to make his announcement first, before we start tick-tocking every detail leading up to this decision. But, again, I go back to what I said a minute ago. The President has met with dozens of people on this issue -- like I said, members of Congress, Cabinet members -- Secretary Thompson, particularly -- bioethicists, as you noted; people afflicted with disease. ”

“ Before I get into Monday, the President's radio address tomorrow will focus on his economic recovery plan that will help give our economy a needed boost and provide tax relief for all taxpayers. Monday, the President will meet with Prime Minister Mori of Japan. He will stop by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting at the White House. And the National Energy Policy Development group will meet with the President to provide an analysis, an assessment of the current energy shortage in the United States. ”

“ Q Scott, what's the reading of international law, as regards the plane? Do the Chinese have any right to go on board the plane? MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think State Department addressed that at the briefing, so I'd refer you to State Department. Q So they don't have any right to go on board, we have the right to demand -- MR. McCLELLAN: The State Department addressed that. Q Do the Chinese consider this is a spying mission from the United States to their land, and that's why they act this way? ”

“ And the U.S.-Japan alliance is key to regional stability in Asia. So our cooperation is wide-ranging and advances many mutual interests in Asia and around the world. Q On Sharon, do you have a time for that? MR. MCCLELLAN: Sharon, do you have a time for that? About noon. I believe it's a meeting and a lunch. Q Is there any truth to the rumors in the financial markets that foreign exchange will be high up on the agenda on the talks between Mr. Mori and Mr. Bush? MR. MCCLELLAN: Let me say, it is in our interest that Japan be economically strong and prosperous. ”

“ Absolutely, that's part of his multi-pollutant strategy. This is a bold, important step forward on the multi-pollutant strategy he's committed to, that will significantly reduce emissions. It's a very strong and positive step forward in our efforts to make the air cleaner, and to improve the -- Q With the exception of CO2, all the other things and all the other regulatory moves undertaken by Congress under the Clean Power Act the administration supports -- MR. MCCLELLAN: The three pollutants you just mentioned are part of what the President has outlined in his energy plan to reduce emissions. ”

“ The summit will provide an opportunity for the democratically elected leaders of the hemisphere to meet together to discuss our shared interest in strengthening democracy and promoting prosperity through free trade. ”

“ Q So the President of the United States tells China he wants immediate access and they say, well, maybe you'll get it in 20 hours? MR. McCLELLAN: We're continuing to talk with Chinese officials, both in Washington and Beijing. And we're continuing to move for that to happen as quickly as possible. Q Scott, for the President to be saying that he's troubled about this time line, is there a time line that the White House and State Department is setting for the return of the plane, as well as seeing its crew members? ”

“ I want to also make an announcement that the President's counselor, Karen Hughes, will be doing a briefing tomorrow for the press corps at 11:00 a.m., where she will also be providing a tick-tock of how the President reached this decision and talking in more detail about that decision.
With that, I'm happy to take some questions and talk about this a little bit further.
Q During the transition you said, the President-elect's position is clear; he opposes federal funds for research that involves destroying living human embryos. ”

“ Well, he outlined a plan very early on in the campaign and continued to talk about it throughout the campaign. So he support campaign finance reform, but believes that that reform must be fair and balanced. Otherwise, you won't have a level playing field across the board. Q Can I come back to the oil question one more time? It's hard to imagine anything having a more immediate impact on the price and availability of energy in this country than a sudden large cut in OPEC's output. ”

“ This is a decision -- and I, personally, have been in meetings with the President where he was visiting with people on other issues, and the President brought this matter up and asked what their opinion was, as well as told them that he realized the seriousness of this issue and how this issue is going to have far-reaching implications 20 to 30 years down the road. Q Scott, during the campaign, starting way back in the primaries and right through the general campaign, the President was very clear, no embryonic stem cell research. ”

“ The Pentagon, if you want to refer that question to them. Q Now, wait a minute. If you're going to stand at the podium and tell the American people these are routine missions, I believe we expect you to know something about how routine they are. ”

“ And as we explore the science, we need to make sure that we do so in a way that adheres to the highest ethical standards. Q -- as the President studied this and learned about this, he, himself felt it became more complex? ”

“ Mr. Johndroe will help you with that. Q On Taiwan, may I follow up? Does this President still believe in the One China policy, part of the equation, if Taiwan voluntarily becomes part of China? MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, and we fully support the Taiwan Relations Act, as I indicated. ”

“ But, again, I mean -- every OPEC meeting that goes on, I don't think we're going to weigh in, in advance. But if we have more to say when they meet, then we will update you at that time. Q Are you at least willing to say that you're talking to the OPEC -- our allies in the Gulf, and telling them, look, you cannot go for something this big? MR. MCCLELLAN: We talk to our OPEC folks all the time. Q Can you at least tell us, Scott, who's talking for the administration? ”