Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ The President believes it would be a failure of leadership for the White House to put a Pollyanna-ish glow on the economy if the facts indicated otherwise. The President thinks it would not be appropriate to withhold information from the American public about the state of the economy. And the President also believes that presidents who are direct, who are straight and who are forthright with the public serve the public well. And that's why he has discussed the economy in the manner that he did. The American people want to know what the facts are. ”

“ The President believes very strongly that this tax bill should be for the people and not for business. And he has made that point clear. He has told members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike, privately and said it publicly, that we should take care of the people first, which is why he supports a bill that would provide across-the-board income tax relief, reduce the marriage penalty, eliminate death taxes, et cetera, double the child credit. ”

“ For the first four months of this fiscal year, despite the fact that economic growth is less than originally thought, revenues are coming in at almost twice what they did last year, despite growth being a great slump from last year. ”

“ So, isn't it ironic when you're talking about conservative projections that the year you want to pass this budget, you're going to have anemic economic growth, more anemic than any year your conservative estimates project for the next 10 years? MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not sure I understand your question. You're saying are they having different estimates for this year or next year? Of course. Q Very few economists expect growth of 2.4 percent for this year, given the state of the economy now. And yet, your budget projects average growth above 2.4 percent, closer to 3 percent. ”

“ But that won't stop the President from pushing forward with a plan that can work with groups that have a faith-based character who also deliver vital services -- like if it's a Boys Club or a Girls Club or Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, is a faith-based organization that has done a world of good in improving and helping peoples' lives, people who are really struggling and needy. ”

“ Q The votes in the House on Thursday were safe, but is the President not afraid of loosing his allies in the middle, both Republicans and Democrats, by brushing through the tax cut in the House and also by his unwillingness to compromise on key issues like the trigger? MR. FLEISCHER: Particularly at this time of economic weakness, the President hopes people will join with him in moving swiftly, so we can get the economy going again. ”

“ And very often, some of the most important changes that come in our society, particularly affecting the poor and people who are the hardest for the government to reach, come with some controversy attached. ”

“ And that's why he feels so strongly that this vital program must go forward, and do so in a way that -- for groups that also offer -- as long as there are secular services also provided, and for groups that have a separate function set up that does not proselytize, there should be no bias against them; that these groups can help solve some of society's most difficult problems. ”

“ The President has invited President Fernando de la Rua to meet with him at the White House on April 19th, the President of Argentina. The President welcomes a working visit with the President just in advance of the Summit of the Americas in Quebec City. The United States and Argentina share a broad agenda of common interests and values in the hemisphere and beyond, and the President looks forward to reviewing ways to strengthen cooperation in pursuit of common goals. ”

“ And that underscores why the President is confident that the estimates that he has projected will indeed be realized. And if there's going to be a mistake, the likelihood is a mistake will be made on the other side of the scale, that more revenue will come in. ”

“ The President does not; the Congress does. Q Ari, an interesting day on the markets yesterday, and immediately reactions from sort of both sides on the tax cut debate. Some Republicans say you need bigger tax cuts with more pro-business incentives, to spur the economy. Democrats say turmoil in the markets show you can't base this on 10-year surplus projections, and you need a smaller, more cautious tax cut. Interested in your thoughts on how market turmoil affects not only the math of the tax cut debate, but the politics and the psychology of it. ”

“ They don't check with the President before they run them. The President himself has cited both Ronald Reagan and former President John Kennedy when they called for tax relief to get the economy moving again. ”

“ By most estimates, the amount of money coming in will exceed what we have projected, even given the recent economic weakness. The President, last Monday -- I believe it was Monday -- at the Department of the Treasury announced that revenues for this year are so far coming in at $32 billion higher than last year, even with a significant decline in economic growth. So that underscores what the President said about the conservative nature of the estimates in his budget. ”

“ I think that's a separate matter, though, from what you were talking about -- but the President continues to believe in the need for America to develop a missile defense to protect ourselves and our allies from many rogue nations that may acquire missile technology that could be harmful to our interests. Q Would Russian technology transferred to Iran make the need for a missile defense more urgent? MR. FLEISCHER: The President continues to believe that we need a missile defense because of threats throughout the world. ”

“ I know that DOD will be briefing -- Q He said he's not doing anything, Ari. This is after two weeks. MR. FLEISCHER: That's not what he said. The President has asked the Secretary to look into it. The President knows the Secretary is. Q Why doesn't he command? He's the Commander-in-Chief. Why can't he command? MR. FLEISCHER: Because this is a decision that needs to be made in consultation with the Department of Defense, and to listen to their input. ”

“ That won't stop the President from proceeding; he thinks it's that important to get help to people who are poor and needy. Q Is it a deal-breaker, as this legislation comes forward, if, as the Reform Jews seem to be suggesting this morning, that they were going to -- there is support for the idea of actually punishing or prosecuting people who proselytize when receiving a federal grant? ”

“ And I think that approach has been well supported by the American people. And with every passing day, there are increasing signs that the American people are rallying behind the President's position. Q Let me ask my follow-up, if I could. ”