Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ Q Is the President or his political strategists, are they of the opinion that if these tax cuts pass, that that will -- since people in polls generally feel they're not going to see a tax cut, if they actually see a tax cut, then that will be a political gain for the President? ”

“ Q Ari, it looks like there are probably a handful of Democrats who will vote for the plan tomorrow. And if you only get a handful of Democrats, doesn't that really kind of increase the difficulty of getting to the Senate, where you have a 50-50 split, and right now you definitely need -- MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President's view is that he's pleased that there are any number of Democrats, no matter what they turn out to be, who vote for the right proposal, to lower taxes on the American people. ”

“ As he said yesterday, he thinks that everybody in society has to do a good job of teaching right from wrong. He thinks that is a question of values, and that lies at the core of so many of these terrible and unfortunate incidents, including what took place today in Pennsylvania. ”

“ Kelly, the President's tax cut is going to be very beneficial to small business. Many small businesses pay taxes at top rates of 39.6 percent. Small businesses are often taxed at the same rate as individuals ”

“ The President views political capital as the voters and the American people agree with the things he's doing and saying. And that certainly has been the case. Q On North Korea, Ari, General Powell's statements this afternoon seem to be in stark contrast to what he had said yesterday and what he had also said before Helms and Biden up on the Hill. What changed between yesterday and today in our approach to North Korea? And I'm also wondering about the idea of a review. Former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry did an extensive review on North Korea; why do we need another one? ”

“ MR. FLEISCHER: Again, I think that it's not -- in the context of what happened yesterday, I think bringing that question into play in this context is -- Q This is perfectly the context for it. So, is there a contingency plan in place? MR. FLEISCHER: As I said, I'll be happy to take the question to see any more specifics that I can bring to you. Q On that subject, Ari, is the public now entitled to more specific information about what medication the Vice President takes, how much weight he's lost and other questions that he's been unwilling to answer thus far about his health? ”

“ But the Vice President has been very open about a significant amount of information, and if you have anything further to discuss, I think you should address it to the right place. Q Well, you're the spokesman for the President of the United States. I think this is the right place. He has been forthcoming about a lot of information, but as you know, there has been certain information that he has not been willing to release, including medication and other specifics related to his diet and exercise and weight loss, et cetera. ”

“ I'll take the first and the second, but is it appropriate to have the force structure review you're asking about? Q No, no, no, a review of our policy toward North Korea. Since Bill Perry just went through a rather extensive, year-long review of our policy. MR. FLEISCHER: I think what you've heard from President Bush today at the news conference following the meeting with President Kim, and what you've heard from Secretary Powell and others in the administration is the same message, the same voice. Our approach to dealing with Korea is that any agreements must be verifiable. ”

“ But it all comes down to, again, people knowing right from wrong and parents raising their children in a manner that helps them to carry out their acts in a way that is rightful and not wrongful. Q So he would believe that a code of responsibility in initiatives doesn't do any good? ”

“ Secondly, the Bush Sr. administration and the Clinton administration both had contingency plans in place for succession of the vice presidency. In part, that was because the 25th Amendment is unclear about when a vice president may be removed beyond the question of retirement, resignation or death. And so, they had set up contingency plans for this. Do you all have anything similar? MR. FLEISCHER: I don't even think it's appropriate, in the context of what took place yesterday, to be discussing that topic from here. Q Well, it certainly is appropriate. ”

“ And we stand now on the eve of a very important vote tomorrow, and the President looks forward to that vote. He's encouraged by the courage shown by several Democrats who intend to vote with him and with the Republicans to provide tax relief. If there are any phone calls, I'll try to advise you. There's nothing that I have at this moment. Q Ari, three Republican senators came out today and proposed a trigger mechanism, similar to the one that Chairman Greenspan talked about. That would now count the six Republican senators are not on board your tax cut. ”

“ Q And any idea of conducting a review while engaging in some sort of dialogue? Why do you have to shut off the dialogue while you're conducting the review? MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President has addressed that today, in terms of expressing his support for the vision of South Korean President Kim, and you heard him say that today. And he has expressed his skepticism about North Korea and its intentions, but he has expressed his support for the vision of President Kim. Q Ari, there is word today that the President is close to picking an ambassador to Ireland. ”