Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ China is very angry on both visits, the President of Taiwan and Dalai Lama's visit to the U.S. Do you see any policy change? And also, does Dalai Lama have a sympathizer in the White House today for his people in Tibet who say they have been suffering for the last 50 years? MR. FLEISCHER: No, there's no policy change. The President continues to believe that he can work with China on issues where we have agreement, such as trade, with the other areas, such as human rights and religious persecution, where the United States and China will differ. ”

“ The President uses good reason, and good reason the President believes that Senator Jeffords should remain a Republican is because that's the best way to get through an agenda that improves education, that cuts taxes, that saves Social Security, for example. ”

“ He believes he was elected to get things done, and he believes that members of the Congress, whether they're Democrat or Republican, have an interest in getting things done. If you take a look at the bipartisan coalitions that he has formed with the given 100 members of the Senate, you will see that from issue to issue, he's been able to assembly healthy governing bipartisan coalitions that allow the nation to move forward with his agenda. And he has not been dependent on party line votes; it's very hard to in a 50-50 Senate. ”

“ In other words, one out of every five homes is powered -- receives its electricity from nuclear power. And the President is concerned, as he looks at the energy situation broadly, that we need to have a comprehensive policy that uses natural gas, that uses clean coal, that stresses conservation, that uses nuclear power, as well. ”

“ Senator Jeffords will make an announcement tomorrow. Senator Jeffords has always been an independent thinker. The Senator has his own ideas about what he wants to do, what he intends to do, and in all cases President Bush and the White House will be very respectful of him. Q Does the President have plans to call or see Jeffords again? MR. FLEISCHER: As you know, Sondra, anytime we have anything that the President does, we'll try to fill you in to the best of our ability. Q Has Jeffords told the White House what his decision is? ”

“ You have grumbling from House conservatives about the education bill. And the leadership is brought down here and told the President expects you to keep your guys in line, this bill is important to him. Specific members are brought down to meet with the President to discuss their concerns about the education bill. Senator Jeffords goes south on the President from the White House view on tax cuts, and there are quotes attributed to White House officials about this guy doesn't understand we have a Republican President, he doesn't get it, and gee, maybe we'll take a look at the dairy programs. ”

“ As you know, the President very often has meetings with members of the House Democrat and Republican, and he'll often meet with people in the residence, just as he did in Texas where he would often, unannounced, drop by and visit with various legislators of both parties. ”

“ Q Is there not a flip side, though, when you're in a 50-50 Senate and you're looking for opportunities to make friends, you, say, have a Rose Garden reception for Joe Moakley, something the President did not have to go out of his way and do, or, say, invite Senator John McCain to dinner tomorrow night here at the White House, someone you've had some issues with in the past -- there are some people you have decided to be extra generous to, extra friendly to, and others who would argue that you haven't. ”

“ There have been a series of impediments that have been put in the path of nuclear power which now seem to be changing. And nuclear power provides 20 percent of the electricity for homes in this country. ”

“ The timing of what the Senate does is always determined by the senators. And as you know, the Senate works as closely as they can, the Minority Leader and the Majority Leader -- Q The Majority Leader has exceptional powers. MR. FLEISCHER: The Majority Leader does. And I think it's -- let's wait and hear what Senator Jeffords says, and then I'll be prepared to answer that question. Q Ari, is the President prepared to press China on Tibetan rights? ”

“ I think it's a very productive thing for the nation that Senator Jeffords is on a patient bill of rights that has the White House support. It is a good sign of good things to come, the White House hopes. Q Ari, on California energy, in a letter that Governor Davis sent to the President dated today, he not only asks for a meeting, but he wants to introduce the President to business leaders and some consumers. ”