Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ And I shared this morning, as well, but I had a message on my answering machine from somebody, a citizen who called up and said that the United States needs to round up all the Muslims, the good ones and the bad ones, because you can't tell the difference. And that's the type of thing -- people have to think carefully about the things that they do and they say. And our nation, as it goes into an increased wartime footing, is going to be confronting issues that typically, thankfully, have not come up in the past, that make people think more carefully about what they're doing. ”

“ Do you have any assessments whether it was proper to publish the article about alleged covert actions, and would the White House like to see the press exercise greater restraint, even if official wartime powers have not been invoked? MR. FLEISCHER: You know, this is always a balance of democracy. But the fact of the matter is, our democracy seems to typically get it right, and it's one of the reasons we win wars, is because we have a free people and a free press. And in that interesting, historical and delicate balance, people do their part ”

“ I don't think it would surprise anybody that the President often has meetings to discuss a whole host of issues with people who he doesn't agree with everything they may have said in the course of their lives or careers. ”

“ I think there are some challenges today in the modern communications era that didn't exist in World War II, for example, where things said today are instantly heard and can be heard by enemies around the world. But it's an interesting question of delicacy and balance. I've made some concerns known to the media, which I'll continue to make known on a private level about things that are done or said, and I think we're all going to work our way forward on this together. ”

“ As the President said, there are going to be elements to this war that everybody will know about, that people will be able to see and know about for themselves, that will be publicly discussed. But it is also the nature of this first war against terrorism that there may be areas that people do not know about. ”

“ And the reason is, is because there are a lot of people in this country who are hurting, who are out of jobs and who need help. And there is an economy that the President is always going to focus on in times of war or peace, that he wants to make certain is strong. Q So, in a sense, you have rolled, then, all the concerns on Capitol Hill about finding some sort of relief for laid off workers -- that has now become part of your thinking on an economic stimulus? ”

“ Q Do you have a week ahead, Ari? MR. FLEISCHER: We have the week ahead, let me get that for you. Next week, the President will continue to meet with his National Security Council on a regular basis, and also with his Domestic Consequences group. On Monday, the President will visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, headquarters, to thank the employees there for the work they have been doing, and he will tour their command center. On Tuesday, the President will have a bipartisan breakfast with the joint congressional leadership. ”

“ What prism of principles is the President applying to all these good ideas that are coming into the White House? MR. FLEISCHER: The President is taking a look at it in the context of what will be real and meaningful to help the economy and to help workers get jobs. That's the first principle that the President is applying. And of course, in war and peace, it's always important, the President believes, to keep an eye on wise use of taxpayer dollars. Q Ari, a follow-up to Helen's question. When President Clinton was President, Jesse Jackson went to Kosovo, got the three soldiers out. ”

“ Q Ari, on the airline security package, you mentioned ending the low bid system. I'm not quite clear how the President's proposals would end the low bid system. MR. FLEISCHER: Because the standards that the President will put into place, as far as the hiring of contractors, will make clear that contracts should not be accepted on the basis of low bid. They will be accepted on the basis of a variety of factors. They'll put safety first. Q Everybody will have the same standards, but you still have low bid. ”

“ The planes involved in the incidents here on September 11th, or the incident here on September 11th, I believe were traveling something like 400 miles an hour. That's also only a couple of minutes away by air from downtown Washington if somebody suddenly decides to divert from their flight path. Why aren't there special measures in place at Dulles unique to deal with the Washington area, and why is National of so much greater concern? MR. FLEISCHER: Again, those are the all of the issues that the security experts are taking a look at. ”

“ What are the thoughts of a civilian dealing with a government to government, a higher level government to government situation now than just leaving it alone? MR. FLEISCHER: Yes, I really -- I think we've exhausted the topic. I've said what the administration has to say about the possible visit. Q Reverend Jackson now is putting out a statement -- a written statement to try to prove that the Taliban did get a hold of him. ”

“ Q I assume by your answer earlier, there's no longer any debate here about whether there will be an economic stimulus package. The White House agrees that there will definitely be one, and there's a need for one? ”

“ You only get two. (Laughter.) Q What's the White House reaction to the UN lifting of sanctions on the Sudan and -- the United States deciding not to block sanctions in Sudan? MR. FLEISCHER: The United Nations Security Council voted this morning to lift the UN sanctions on Sudan, which was an action taken in discussions the UN had in support of Egypt. The sanctions that were imposed by the United Nations on the Sudan were taken as a result of Sudanese efforts in an assassination attempt on President Mubarak. The lifting of the sanctions was done in agreement with Egypt. ”

“ Q Ari, just following up on your answer to those other questions, the fact that you're not going to comment about any operational details from the podium, so is it fair that the American people should -- have to expect that some things could be happening right now on the military front that they just won't be told about? ”