[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[February 28, 2001]
[Pages 147-148]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters in Beaver, Pennsylvania
February 28, 2001

National Economy/Tax Relief Legislation

    Q. Chairman Greenspan this morning said that the slowdown doesn't 
look like it's run its course yet, and I'm wondering if you can comment 
on that.
    The President. All the more reason to accelerate the tax cut. And I 
think our Nation needs to be wary of the economic times, and Congress 
needs to know that. Congress needs to work with me to accelerate a 
meaningful tax reduction package as quickly as possible.
    Q. With the votes the way they are in the Senate, sir, can you get 
your package through in time and make a difference?
    The President. I am confident we're going to get a significant tax 
relief package through. It's going to have enough oomph to it to help 
the economy. And that's one reason I'm traveling around the country, to 
make the case.
    Q. Does that suggest, sir----
    The President. ----Roberts [John Roberts, CBS News], on the other 
hand.
    Q. Does that suggest, sir, that it may not be the package that you 
want?
    The President. Oh, we're going to get the package out.

Address to the Congress

    Q. Sir, how do you feel it went last night, Mr. President?
    The President. You need to ask other people. I felt--well, I've 
passed the initial review. My wife thought I did 
all right. That was----
    Q. Were you nervous?
    The President. No, I wasn't nervous at all. I was pleased with the 
reception, and I was excited to be there. I had something to say, and I 
was prepared. I spent enough time on the speech to be comfortable with 
what I was going to say.
    I was struck by how cozy the confines were in the hall. I've never 
really, obviously, been there in that position. It was actually the 
first State of the Union type of speech I'd ever seen. In this case, I 
actually got to--I couldn't say I exactly watched it--participated in 
it.

Tax Relief Legislation/National Economy

    Q. How hard will be----

[[Page 148]]

    The President. You know, it's never easy for the President to get 
exactly what he wants. We're going to get a--I believe it's going to be 
$1.6 trillion. And people begin to realize the logic in the plan and 
that we can meet priorities, including debt repayment, and have a 
contingency fund, and that we need to pass a substantial portion of the 
money back to the people in order to help them help themselves, as well 
as provide stimulus to make sure our economy grows.
    And I'm really looking forward to continuing to make the case--last 
night was the kickoff--today, tomorrow, and then the following week, and 
we'll take a grand tour of the country together. I'm speaking to people 
that are going to make a difference, and those are the citizens. Those 
are the people that will actually be writing their Congressmen and 
Senators, encouraging them to hopefully join with me in passing money 
back.
    Q. Mr. President, now that you've taken off the glasses, sir, would 
you care to comment on Mr. Greenspan's testimony this morning?
    The President. Say it again? What did you say?
    Q. Mr. Greenspan offered a sober assessment of the current state of 
the economy through the sharp downturn that's been evident in the last 
few months. It seems to be far from running its course.
    The President. I am concerned about the state of the economy. I 
recognize the economy is slowing down. And that's all the more reason 
for Congress to work to pass money back to the people and form the 
meaningful tax relief, and to do it as quickly as possible.
    Q. And if you put the vote in the Senate, sir, as they are, do you 
believe you can get your tax package through the way you want it?
    The President. I think we will get the tax package through. I 
believe a lot of people are going to take a hard look at reality and 
look at the facts and realize we've got ample money to meet needs and 
pay down debt and that we've got to stimulate the economy through tax 
relief, as well as give people more cash so that they can manage their 
own accounts.
    There's a lot of talk in Washington about national debt, and that's 
a legitimate discussion. But I also want people to understand, there's a 
lot of people who have got consumer debt, and tax relief will help 
people manage their own balance sheets.
    See you in Nebraska. By the way, I made you famous by calling you 
Stretch.
    Q. My parents said that I've been called a lot worse.
    The President. Particularly by them.

Note: The exchange began at approximately 9:15 a.m. during a tour of 
Control Concepts Corp. In his remarks, the President referred to 
reporter David ``Stretch'' Gregory, NBC News. Reporters referred to 
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan. A tape was not available 
for verification of the content of this exchange.