[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
[August 13, 2001]
[Pages 960-963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters in Crawford
August 13, 2001

Stem Cell Research/Macedonia

    Q. Mr. President, some people in Congress are talking about passing 
legislation to allow stem cell research on embryos that are still in 
fertility clinics----
    The President. I've said all I'm going to say for a while.
    Q. Would you veto legislation like that?
    The President. The statement I laid out is what I think is right for 
America. And any piece of legislation that undermines what I think is 
right will be vetoed.
    I don't know if you all know, but they signed a bill in Macedonia 
today, an agreement to work out the language, as well as the policing, 
and it's a good sign. But now they need to lay down their arms so we can 
implement the peace.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia

    Q. Did you get any feedback from Mr. Rumsfeld's meeting with Mr. 
Putin?
    The President. I haven't talked to him yet.
    It's right here that Mr. Putin is going to come, right to Crawford, 
Texas, one of these days. I'm sure he'll love it.
    Q. Where are they going to stay?
    The President. We haven't worked out the logistics yet. [Laughter] 
Got any recommendations? Oh, where he's going to stay? He'll stay here. 
I thought you said, ``Where are they going to stay,'' meaning the 
thousand press that follow. [Laughter]

[At this point, there was a pause in the exchange.]

President's Vacation

    Q. So what are you going to do for the rest of the day?
    The President. Got a lot of friends coming in--and then get ready 
for my trip. Got some speeches to give tomorrow and Wednesday, in New 
Mexico. I've got to figure out what I'm going to say.

Stem Cell Research

    Q. One more question on stem cells, if I may?
    The President. You can ask it, but I've already answered it.
    Q. Well, I'll ask and----
    The President. I answered it Thursday night, when I gave an address 
to the Nation.

[[Page 961]]

    Q. But sir, since then, some pro-life activists have said that 
you're----
    The President. You know something? I gave the statement I thought 
was right. I spent a lot of time on the subject. I laid out the policy I 
think is right for America, and I'm not going to change my mind. I'm the 
kind of person that when I make up my mind, I'm not going to change it.
    There are going to--people have got all kinds of opinions. I gave 
mine, and I gave it to the country. And it's a policy that's well 
thought out. Understand that there's a moral issue--moral issue, plus 
there's a chance that we can save people's lives. And I've laid out the 
path to do that.

Bush Ranch Nature Trail

    Q. How did you scratch your arms up?
    The President. You know, I'm glad you noticed that. [Laughter] 
Working. Working. No, brush.
    Q. Nature trail?
    The President. Got the nature trail. One of these days we need to 
take you back there, so you can see it. It's beautiful.
    Q. I'm free today.
    Q. I'd love to go back there.
    The President. It's beautiful. You won't believe it. As a matter of 
fact, this place, when you head out that way, there's a lot of canyons 
and creeks in the middle fork. You saw some of it when we crossed today, 
what it looks like when you get up in there.
    Q. What's the trail like? Is it a loop or----
    The President. No, no. Oh, my running trail?
    Q. No, no, the nature trail.
    The President. Oh, the nature trail is just built up into this 
canyon, this box canyon that's got a big overhang so that when the water 
is running, it's like a waterfall. We built a pathway up in there so 
that it's accessible to a lot of people.
    Q. Place to bring guests, to go running?
    The President. You can't run. I mean, it's the end of a canyon. You 
can run down there, then you walk up in there, and it's beautiful.
    Q. What does building a trail entail? I mean, are you pulling out 
trees or are you----
    The President. No, no. It means just building--getting old telephone 
poles and lying them on the ground, then filling in the dirt so that 
you----
    Q. So you have this sort of pathway?
    The President. Pathway, it's a pathway, is what it is.

Argentine Economy

    Q. Mr. President, do you favor additional loans to Argentina?
    The President. We're watching the Argentinean situation every single 
day. Larry Lindsey and Paul O'Neill and the appropriate folks are meeting on it every 
single day. And one of the things I said that I thought we could do--
first of all, we sent John Taylor down there, 
and he met with President de la Rua, had 
a very good visit.
    He delivered our administration's message, which is, they've got to 
implement the reforms that they recently passed through their 
legislature. One of the things we--and so we're exploring all options as 
to how to make sure that the message goes out that we've got--that we're 
watching the situation very carefully, that we urge Argentina implement 
reforms. As they do so, they will gain the confidence not only of our 
country but of a lot of folks who are concerned about it.
    I spoke to King Juan Carlos of Spain 
the other day. He is very concerned. Spain has got more at stake in 
Argentina than even the United States does. And I told him that we're 
watching it, and we're very careful about it. And our hope is that the 
Argentineans will earn the confidence of the investor community by 
making--by implementing the legislation they passed.
    But we're keeping an open mind on all options.

[[Page 962]]

Nomination for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Q. Any chance you might have an announcement for us soon on the 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
    The President. Last time I hinted about doing something, everybody 
got the wrong message, and some of the flock were led astray. [Laughter] 
So I'm not going to hint anymore.
    Q. Thank you. [Laughter]
    The President. I know none of you--it was no misinformation at all.

President's Vacation

    Q. No, I was asking if you're missing Washington?
    The President. Am I?
    Q. Yes.
    The President. You know, I like Washington a lot. But I also like 
here. I tried to explain to the people that are following me around that 
this is my home. You know, some people say, ``Well, this is a vacation 
spot.'' Actually, this is our house and home; this is where we will 
live. And I'm the kind of person that really values home, and I like my 
house. And Laura loves it as well, so we really 
enjoy being here.
    But I've got a job to do. Once this period of time ends and once 
Congress starts heading back to Washington, I'll start heading back, 
myself. In the meantime, we're getting airborne tomorrow, as you know. 
We're going to Colorado and New Mexico, and I've got a few other trips--
a couple of other trips.
    Q. Hint? [Laughter]
    The President. No more hints.
    Q. I think that was a hint. [Laughter]
    The President. But I'm going to be moving around some, and it's 
good. One of the things I'm doing is heralding the values of the 
heartland. You know, it's important for folks to get outside of 
Washington, DC. Washington is a great town; it's got a lot going on. 
Obviously, there's a lot of action when the Congress is meeting. But the 
strength of the country is in our heartland. And tomorrow I'm going to 
be talking about character education--same in New Mexico. I'm also going 
to be talking about small-business ownership. Today I talked about the 
agricultural sector. It's what makes America great, and I think it's 
important for me to get out amongst the people, as best as a President 
can.
    Q. I don't mean to sound flip, but are those values that you like to 
extol less prevalent on the coast and more prevalent----
    The President. No, not at all. Listen, the values are very prevalent 
throughout America. It's just that my house is not on the coast; my 
house is in Texas. I'm a Texan. This is where I was raised; this is 
where I'm going to retire; this is where I'll pass away, in Texas.
    There's a lot of people, wonderful people that live on the coast of 
the country. They've got great family values; they care just as much 
about teaching children right from wrong as anybody else. California is 
one of the huge agricultural States. Don't get me wrong; I happen to be 
here; this is where we're anchored.
    To me, to be out on the land helps a President keep perspective. You 
know, I haven't been a President all that long, but I can assure you, 
perspective is important. Get used to it, because this is where I'm 
coming back to, as well.

Legislative Agenda

    Q. Thinking of a telecommute, sir?
    The President. Actually, we have that potential and have used it 
since I've been here, where I've gotten on a video conference with some 
of my staff, and it works great. But no, I need to be there in 
Washington, obviously. We've got enough of a staff here to keep me busy. 
But when Congress comes back, I'll be there ready to welcome them and 
encourage them to get moving on some legislation.
    One piece of legislation they'll be working on is the new farm bill. 
Another piece of legislation they need to get moving is

[[Page 963]]

the education bill. We've got a great opportunity to get a Faith-Based 
Initiative going. We got it out of the House and had a good meeting with 
Senator Lieberman and Senator 
Santorum on how to get the bill moving out of 
the Senate.
    We got a Patients' Bill of Rights, finally, for the first time. It 
looks like we're making some progress on a Patients' Bill of Rights. 
It's going to be in conference when we get back, so we've got a lot of 
work to do, and I look forward to Congress getting the job done.
    Q. Are you anticipating some battles with the Senate?
    The President. Oh, I never anticipate battles. [Laughter] I'll stand 
my ground and do what I think is right. That's what the people elected 
me to do. I'm confident, if there is the willingness to work with the 
White House in the Senate, we'll get a lot done. If people go up there 
just wanting to fight, then not much will get done, but we've already 
had that period. It's time to get rid of that business, out of 
Washington, and let's have a spirit of cooperation.
    I'm confident we'll get a lot done, and I believe we will. So I go 
back to Washington with a can-do attitude, that we can do a lot of good 
for the American people and at the same time, by the way, make sure 
we've got a good budget that doesn't get busted by folks that feel 
compelled to appropriate beyond the confines of a budget. Most Americans 
expect--when you set a budget, expect people to meet the budget. And 
that's what I'm going to expect, as the President. I'm going to say, 
``Look, you all come back, and here's your budget. Don't spend beyond 
the budget.'' That will help the country, that will help our economy 
recover, by the way, by showing some fiscal discipline.
    I've got to go. I've given you a lot more than you deserve. 
[Laughter]

Note: The exchange began at 12:04 p.m. at the Bush Ranch, following the 
agriculture economic assistance legislation signing ceremony. In his 
remarks, the President referred to President Fernando de la Rua of 
Argentina. H.R. 2213, approved August 13, was assigned Public Law. No. 
107-25. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
exchange.