[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[March 4, 1992]
[Page 371]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters on the Presidential Primaries

March 4, 1992
    The President. The communications czar has told me that we must be 
moving onward. And I can tell your lack of interest, or you would be 
going with us on to the Super Tuesday States. Why are you not there?
    Q. Are you afraid of Buchanan?
    Q. Do you think you'll consistently lose this 30-percent protest 
vote?
    The President. We're doing well. We won everything, and we're going 
to keep on winning everything. Tough times out there, and I think people 
are beginning to understand that what counts is who wins these 
primaries. So I feel good about it, and I'm not going to keep raising 
the high bar. I'm just going to go one at a time and win them all and 
win the election in the fall.
    So, I'm very grateful to the people that worked hard; they're 
working in a tough economic environment. I know that. But I'm very, very 
pleased.
    Q. Do you feel good about repenting on taxes?
    The President. Yes, very good about that.
    Q. Do you accept the votes for Buchanan as votes against you?
    The President. It seems to be that way, yes. I think that's a good 
way to analyze it. But that will turn around. The economy will turn 
around. We'll make some headway with Congress eventually, keep trying. 
And people will see that I'm the person to lead this country now, as I 
was in the past.
    Q. ----margin in 30 percent?
    The President. This is a high jump. I'm not going to raise the bar, 
nor lower it. Just leave it where it is.

                    Note: The exchange began at 7:46 a.m. on the South 
                        Lawn at the White House prior to the President's 
                        departure for Tampa, FL.