Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ Q The amendment that passed the Senate providing more money to candidates who have wealthy opponents -- does the White House support that amendment? MR. FLEISCHER: As you know, you saw the President's principles on campaign finance reform, and the President is not going to comment amendment by amendment. He looks forward to taking a look at the campaign finance reform package as it passes the Senate and then as it passes the House, develops in conference. He's looking forward to build bridges so he can sign a good bill into law this year. ”

“ And the President does view some of the faith-based caretakers in our country as a way to help people who are suffering from debilitating problems, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, crime. He sees particularly for young people faith-based initiatives as a way to see a role model in the communities and neighborhoods in which they live. ”

“ Well, Margaret, of course, is a former spokeswoman for the Department of State, is well-versed in foreign policy, foreign affairs; is well-known and respected by diplomats throughout the world; and obviously she has the full faith, support, confidence of the President, which is why he's made this announcement today. Q The expulsion of the Russian diplomats is a Cold War-scale action, only paralleled by President Reagan's order in '86. So we must assume only a Cold War-scale espionage operation could warrant such an action. ”

“ MR. FLEISCHER: That's a question you would have to ask the Russians. The United States has not been notified of any such action. Q How much of this was aimed at people who were directly involved with Hanssen, and how much of it is a broader move? And can you explain what the broader move -- the significance of the broader move would be? MR. FLEISCHER: The State Department addressed that earlier this morning in their announcement. They noted that the action and the expulsion of four Russian intelligence officers who have been declared persona non grata. ”

“ Q Ari, there's a Russian official quoted today in the Russian press as saying that Russian retaliation for this expulsion would involve hundreds -- plural -- hundreds of American diplomats. And this official noted that there are many more American diplomats in Moscow than there are Russian diplomats in Washington. In light of that threat, and in light of those numbers, is there some concern in the administration that this may be counterproductive in the end; if we get into a game of tit-for-tat in expulsions, that the United States may be the loser? ”

“ He wants people to come together on patients' bill of rights and get out of the rut that they've been in last year where nothing got done. So he sent a very clear signal about a patients' bill of rights that has strong patient protections and that does not turn patients' rights over to trial lawyers. ”

“ You've probably seen in the paper in the last few days a number of private economists are now downsizing their estimates for surpluses, showing that, in fact, economic growth is related to the surpluses at some point. ”

“ As you know, the United States, under the Taiwan Relations Act, is committed to the defense of Taiwan and has a responsibility to provide defensive weapons to Taiwan. And we are concerned about any military threat that could violate our obligations on the Taiwan Relations Act. Q Do you believe one now exists because of Chinese missiles? MR. FLEISCHER: The United States has previously expressed its concerns about missile build-up. Q Ari, how does the President reconcile the bear market with the concept of personal retirement accounts within the context of Social Security? ”

“ He has sent a clear signal that he would like to protect the economy and the traveling public from any additional airline strikes. His ability to appoint a presidential emergency board is directly contingent upon a recommendation from the National Mediation Board. ”

“ The President's estimates have been borne out by most private sector observers. Q Ari, can you clarify the President's stance on the possibility of airline strikes this year? When he announced the action on Northwest, he said that he would "take the necessary steps to prevent airline strikes." There's a suggestion in the paper today that you may be playing down that position. ”

“ It's going to hurt commerce, it's going to hurt the economy, it's going to hurt consumers, it's going to hurt travelers when they want to take their vacations. Q The Republican budget assumes no revenues from the opening of ANWR in Alaska. ”