[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 29, 1992]
[Pages 847-848]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With State and Local 
Officials in Los Angeles

May 29, 1992
    Q. Sir, why do you think you're running third in recent California 
polls?
    The President. Hey, John [John Cochran, NBC News], we're not taking 
any questions today.
    Q. No?
    The President. This is a nonpolitical visit. I've heard some very 
encouraging news about Federal cooperation and working with the State, 
localities, private sector. And I'm out here to try to follow up on a 
visit to see if we can be of further help to the people in this area. 
So, I prefer to keep it on that basis and thus will not be able to help 
you, as I wasn't able to help you yesterday--[laughter]--different 
setting. Thank you very much.
    Q. ----about politics, sir? When are you going to start defining 
the----
    The President. After our convention, I think we'll start working on 
that.
    Q. After the convention?
    Q. Are you deliberately waiting, sir?
    The President. I'm not going to take any questions. You didn't hear 
what I said in the beginning. I want to find out from these people how 
the effort is going, Federal, State, local, to help people that have 
been hurt. And that's what this is about. And if I get diverted talking 
about these other subjects, it isn't going to help anybody. So, let's 
try to keep it on that basis. Thank you very much.
    Q. Do you think the drive for the urban agenda is losing steam in 
Congress, though?
    Q. Mr. President, are you optimistic about Mr. Ueberroth's Rebuild 
L.A.? Are you optimistic about what he----
    The President. Anything he tackles, he can get done. That's the way 
I look at it.

                    Note: The exchange began at 11:08 a.m. in

[[Page 848]]

                        the Grecian Room at the Biltmore Hotel. In his 
                        remarks, the President referred to Peter 
                        Ueberroth, chairman of the Rebuild L.A. 
                        Committee.