[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[February 25, 1992]
[Pages 306-307]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters Aboard Air Force One

February 25, 1992
    The President. Good morning, traveling squad.

President Reagan

    Q. What's this about President Reagan says you don't seem to stand 
for anything?
    The President. I don't believe that.
    Q. Are you going to have trouble in California?
    The President. Well, we're taking it time by time. I think we'll be 
all right in California. It's a little early to be into that one. We've 
got some earlier hurdles which I feel good about.
    Q. Do you expect Mr. Reagan to campaign for you actively?
    The President. Well, I don't know. He's been very good about that, 
but I haven't even discussed it with him. It's way premature for that. 
But he's been quite supportive, as you know, already endorsed me 
enthusiastically.
    Q. Are you disappointed at all that he won't be at the fundraiser?
    The President. No. I've known him for a long time. I'm going to go 
see him, I think. I don't know if it's going to work out or not.

The Economy

    Q. Why do you think your poll numbers are so much lower in 
California than----
    The President. I think the economy. I think they're hurting there. 
And I think anytime a person has--as President, you take the heat on the 
economy. It's happening worldwide.

Loan Guarantees for Israel

    Q. Any reaction from the Israelis to Secretary Baker's----
    The President. I haven't seen it this morning, saw some yesterday 
but hadn't seen anything new to add to that. I thought the Secretary 
expressed the policy of the U.S. Government very clearly, very 
forcefully, and very correctly.

General Motors Plant Closings

    Q. Any reaction to the shutdown of GM?
    The President. No, only regret for the hardship that it causes 
families, but just keep plugging away to try to get this economy moving 
and stimulated. That's what's needed. So, I'll keep challenging the 
Congress to do just that.

Iraq

    Q. How about Iraq?
    Q. ----your help to Iraq? What was behind that to help them get 
loans?
    The President. I haven't read all the charges about Iraq. But as you 
may remember in history, there was a lot of support at a time for Iraq 
as a balance to a much more aggressive Iran under Khomeini. So that was 
a part of the policy of the Reagan ad-

[[Page 307]]

ministration, and I was very proud to support it.

Loan Guarantees for Israel

    Q. If Congress were to pass the loan guarantees without the 
settlements freeze, would you veto any such legislation?
    The President. That's too hypothetical. We spelled out our policy, 
and there it is. And it's the proper policy. We haven't changed. That's 
been the policy of the U.S. Government for a long, long time.
    Q. Is it politically risky for you to now take this position?
    The President. It might be, but I'm not going to shift the foreign 
policy of this country because of political expediency. I can't do that 
and have any credibility worldwide. And we have credibility worldwide. 
Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to facilitate the peace talks in 
the first place. So, we just have certain policy positions, and they're 
sound.

Presidential Primaries

    Q. Do you expect to be making a lot more trips to California? How 
are you going to try and turn around your situation there?
    The President. Just go about our game plan, which is to take our 
message out there. I understand there's two extraordinarily successful 
fundraisers in place out there, so that should say something. Maybe that 
will get people thinking positively.
    Q. Mr. President, do you think you'll be able to win California, 
sir? Do you think you'll be able to win?
    The President. Oh, sure. Yes.
    Q. Oh, sure?
    The President. Yes.
    Q. Pretty confident?
    The President. Yes, I am.
    Q. Patrick Buchanan--fire Bush immediately--do you think he's 
getting a little personal in his attacks and his charges?
    The President. I haven't seen that, John [John Cochran, NBC News]. I 
wouldn't worry too much about that.
    Q. Those FBI----
    The President. Yes. I think we're going to do all right down South. 
I feel good about it. We've got good people working, and I think the 
people down there understand my message. And I think as people compare 
the two candidates, why, we'll be fine.
    Q. Will you be mentioning Buchanan by name? Last week you said you 
were going to take the gloves off. Do you intend to do so, sir?
    The President. Well, I'm still sorting all that out. You heard me 
last night. I'd rather define it on the issues. There are plenty of 
surrogates that are willing to make it more specific. I think that's a 
good way to leave it.
    Q. Ads starting up in Georgia against Buchanan?
    The President. I think that there will be ads that define the 
differences in position, yes. And I expect that people will understand 
that, after the ads from the Democrats in New Hampshire against me and 
from him against me. But I'll try to keep it on a high plane--together 
and go on and win.
    Q. You seem kind of subdued today, Mr. President. Are you feeling 
okay?
    The President. Yes, I feel good, Rita [Rita Beamish, Associated 
Press].
    Q. How come you're so subdued? It's early.
    The President. Do you remember Lesley Stahl [CBS News] asking when 
the Berlin Wall came down why I wasn't jumping with joy? I said, ``We're 
taking care of this.'' It's a little early. We're going on a long trip, 
and it's kind of a calm but determined approach.
    Q. Have you added any additional stops on this trip? We heard you 
might add some on the end, Saturday or Sunday, additional stops.
    The President. I haven't heard it yet, but I might be the last to 
know. [Laughter]
    Q. We probably would.
    The President. Have a nice trip to California, everybody.

                    Note: The exchange began at approximately 8:30 a.m. 
                        prior to the President's departure from Andrews 
                        Air Force Base in Camp Springs, MD, for San 
                        Francisco, CA.