Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ The President has made crystal clear on numerous occasions that he is going to continue to work with President Putin, and he has been doing so very productively. But he is prepared to move beyond the ABM Treaty, because it is the responsibility of the President to protect the American people, and in this case the threat would be posed by a rogue missile launch from a hostile nation that does not share America's interests or America's values. ”

“ I think when the American people sent him here to the White House, they enjoy the times that Congress is in recess, and they understand that the President also doesn't have to live 365 days a year in the White House. ”

“ The Vice President, the President, Secretary of State are all in unison about the need to stop the violence in Israel. And what the Vice President was reflecting on -- and when I say violence in Israel, that includes the region -- what the Vice President was reflecting on is how both parties see justification in the actions they take. It is the policy of the United States to oppose these killings. And what the Vice President was suggesting is, Israel sees a justification for their actions. The Palestinians see a justification for their actions -- Q You're putting words in his mouth. ”

“ Secondly, he was sent to Washington to work on the people's business, and that's particularly true when Congress is in session. He will be leaving for his home in Texas on a very good note, on a very positive note for the American people, noting the strong action in the House of Representatives this week to give America energy policy, to pass a patients' bill of rights that can be signed into law, on the conclusion of a Senate action to help our nation's farmers in accordance with the President's desire. ”

“ When the President talks about going home to the heartland, in his mind, that reflects the values of hard work, of family, of honesty, of people playing by the rules, working hard to make a living in the United States and being treated fairly and being treated compassionately. That is what the President thinks about when he thinks about the values of the heartland. Q Ari, in July '96, then-Prime Minister Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress that he wanted to begin to wean Israel off of what he called "generous American assistance," $1.2 billion economic aid at that point in time. ”

“ I think there have been a number of senators who previously voted to raise taxes on the American people who see a surplus that is the second-largest in American history and don't think it's big enough. ”

“ The President is very pleased that the Senate took the action, because it means the farmers get the help they need. I think it's another indication that when the President stands by principles that he believes in and works productively with Democrats and Republicans in the Congress, he not only can have success in the House, but he has success in the Senate. And so, he is very pleased that all parties came together today to enter into this important agreement. He wants to sign that legislation quickly. Q Ari, I don't mean to sound sarcastic when I ask this. ”

“ Q Do you stand by your statement when you said that the administration at all levels deplore the violence there and that includes the targeted killings? MR. FLEISCHER: There is no doubt. That is the position of the administration and is shared by all members of it. Q On the patients' bill of rights, Indian American medical community all over the U.S. is praising President Bush for his efforts to -- pass a bill, number one. ”

“ He'll do a little fishing on the ranch. I'm sure he'll have friends and family over to the ranch. He'll do a little policy, he'll keep up with events. Travel, as I indicated. But it's going to be a working vacation that's going to include parts work and parts vacation. Q Will there be a national security conference call -- MR. FLEISCHER: He'll have intelligence briefings every day. Every day but Sundays. Q Live, or by phone? MR. FLEISCHER: They're always live. Q Ari, the American people sent him here to the White House. He's going to set a modern record for not being here. ”

“ He runs on a treadmill in the Residence. He tries to run about three, four times a week. He will run outside on occasion. Q On the track? MR. FLEISCHER: As I heard him say to a group of senators earlier this week, the daytime/nighttime average temperature in Crawford right now is about 98 degrees and he is looking forward to running in it. Q Senator Conrad met with a few reporters this morning and he said that it's been a great week for the President but that in a couple of weeks there is going to be some very bad news coming out of OMB and CBO when the new budget estimates come out. ”