    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 14, 1996]
    [Pages 1294-1295]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters in Jackson Hole
    August 14, 1996

    ``Between Hope and History: Meeting America's Challenges for the 21st
    Century''

    [The President's remarks are joined in progress.]

        The President. ----basically my philosophy about where I think
    America is and where I think we ought to go.
        Q. Would you describe it as a manifesto for the next administration
    if you get reelected?
        The President. Well, it's not an exclusive list of all the things I
    intend to do, but it makes the argument about why I think the direction
    we're going is right, why we're better off than we were, and what I hope
    we'll do. And it's just something I've been wanting to say. I finished
    it the first 2 days we got here, and I hope the people who read it will
    find it helpful. I was glad to do it.
        It's beautiful, isn't it?
        Q. Have you been getting enough relaxation? Are you feeling rested,
    sir?
        The President. More rested now. The first 2 days I worked real hard
    trying to finish the book, and, you know, a lot of things happened the
    last 2 months which kind of got me behind deadlines. So I worked pretty
    hard on that. But yesterday I got to play a little golf, and of course,
    we had that wonderful hike the day before.
        Q. When did you decide to write the book, sir?
        The President. About a year ago.
        Q. Guys, move to the right, move a step to the right.
        The President. Yes, I don't want anybody to get hurt here.
        Q. Is Senator Dole in the book, sir?
        The President. It's basically a book about the country.

    Republican Convention

        Q. Do you care to comment at all about the choice of Jack Kemp for
    the Republican Vice Presidential nomination?
        The President. No, I'm going to leave them alone, let them have
    their convention. I like Al Gore; that's my comment. [Laughter] The best
    Vice President in history.

    Democratic Convention

        Q. What can you say about the train ride you're going to take to the
    convention, sir?
        The President. I'm excited about it. We're trying to--I think they
    probably finalized all the routes now, and I love trains, so I'm excited
    about it. I didn't know--the main thing I was concerned about is if we
    did it I just didn't want to inconvenience people because of the
    security and everything. And I think we've got it--I've got a route now
    where, apparently, there will be a minimum of dislocation.

    President's Vacation

        Q. You love trains, but do you love horses?

    [[Page 1295]]

        The President. I love horses.
        Q. What's the horse's name?
        The President. Wink. This is Wink, and that's Patches.
        Q. You look like you've lost some weight. Have you dropped a few
    pounds?
        The President. A little bit, I think. I'm almost--I dropped 15 or 20
    pounds, I guess, since--in the last year or so. Got to be in shape, you
    know. This is a rigorous endeavor.
        Q. I found that out the other day. [Laughter]
        The President. Well, that was tough. I was very sore yesterday. I
    don't know if you were, but I was pretty sore.
        Q. I still am, sir.
        The President. I found out when I was on that golf course that my
    rhythm wasn't quite there anymore. [Laughter] Whew, it was bad after a
    while. [Laughter]
        Q. Have fun.
        The President. Thank you. I'm glad to see--how are you feeling?
        Q. I'm good, Mr. President. Little sore. Hope you're having a good
    time.
        The President. Well, I really didn't--when I took you all off on
    that wild goose chase I didn't know it was going to be quite as
    demanding as it was. But I'm glad we did it.
        Q. Well, I'm just not in shape. It's my fault.
        The President. Well, now, it takes a few days to get adjusted to the
    atmosphere, you know, once you're--the higher altitude.
        Q. Well, we carry a little bit of stuff.
        The President. Yes, and I see--we weren't carrying all that. I don't
    know how you all did that. Somebody made it all through with a huge
    camera.
        Q. Hank Brown, ABC.
        The President. We ought to give him some kind of medal. He's in
    great shape. [Laughter]
        Marlene, how are you doing?
        Ms. Marlene MacDonald. I'm good. How are you? You look great.
        The President. I'm doing great.
        Q. That's a great hat.
        The President. Yes, I've had this old hat a long time. And my old
    boots.
        Q. Is it a Stetson?
        The President. I got these boots about, oh, 8 years ago--7, 8 years
    ago, in Salem, Arkansas, Fulton County. I went out to help them--it was
    a little town of 1,000 people, and they got one of our economic
    development airport grants. And they gave me these boots.
        Q. What are they made of, sir?
        The President. Snakeskin.
        Q. Are you relaxed?
        The President. Yes, I love it here. I love it here. I love it. I'm
    glad we got out for a ride.
        Q. I'm glad we got a picture. [Laughter]
        The President. Well, yes. I was sort of derelict today. I decided
    I'd sleep in and kind of laze around. So we've just been fooling around
    at home.
        Good to see you.

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 5 p.m. at the Bar B Bar
    Ranch. Marlene A. MacDonald was Office Manager, Lower Press Office, the
    White House. The press release issued by the Office of the Press
    Secretary did not include the complete opening remarks of the President.
    A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.