    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [February 16, 1993]
    [Pages 107-108]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Democratic Congressional
    Leaders
    February 16, 1993

    Economic Program

        Q. Mr. President, do you think you can get Ross Perot to at least
    not criticize this economic plan?
        The President. I don't know----
        Q. Have you been in touch with him or anybody on your staff been in
    touch with him to try to get him on board?
        Q. Do they treat you like this all the time?
        The President. Tomorrow night, all the time. [Laughter] All the
    time.
        Q. What a job. [Laughter]
        Q. Mr. President, what----
        The President. ----budget practices--it's truth in budgeting, truth
    in budgeting. We're using objective numbers, the most conservative
    revenue estimates. It'll be the most candid budget Congress has received
    in a long time. And I think there will be a lot of people who understand
    it and will respond very positively to it.
        Q. Well, the markets are down sharply this morning. Do you think
    that's an immediate reaction to your----
        The President. No. Look, the bond market's a better indicator,
    because they--and that response has been very positive. And I think when
    the business community, those people who come

    [[Page 108]]

    in here from the business community who actually know pretty well what's
    in this program, have responded very positively to it. So I wouldn't say
    that.

    Note: The exchange began at 11:25 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of
    this exchange.