    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [June 28, 2002]
    [Pages 1080-1081]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters on Departure for Camp David, Maryland
    June 28, 2002

    President's Health

        Q. Mr. President, what's the story?
        The President. Hold on, I'll tell you.
        As you know, I've been recommending that Americans take
    precautionary measures for their health and that people should be
    screened on a regular basis, particularly those of us over 50. And
    tomorrow I'm going to have a colonoscopy at Camp David. It is the third
    such procedure I've had. The doctor has recommended I have another one,
    because the last time they found some benign polyps. And so this is kind
    of a routine physical examination that will be done at Camp David.
        I'm going--I'm going to be sedated for a period of time and will
    transfer power to the Vice President during that
    time. And I look forward to exercising tomorrow afternoon, after the
    procedure takes place.
        Q. Do you know how long it's going to be, sir?
        The President. Well, it's--you know, the last time I did this, it
    wasn't very long. I mean, the definition of long--the docs will be
    briefing here pretty soon. But you know, it shouldn't take too long to--
    --
        Q. Is there anything that triggered this?
        The President. No, not at all, John [John Roberts, CBS News]. I feel
    great. This is a part of the ongoing--you know, it's a kind of part of
    the annual physical. And so I just decided to do it at this time; it fit
    in with my schedule. And I feel great--no signs, no symptoms.
        The last time we did one of these colonoscopies, they found benign
    polyps, and they recommended that--I think it was 2 years ago, and they
    recommended they take another look and see if there's anything in there.

    Transfer of Powers to the Vice President

        Q. Should we read anything into the fact that you are going to
    transfer the power, the length of time of this?
        The President. No, not at all. It's just that I made the decision.
    We looked at the precedent. I'm the first President to have done so
    under this type of procedure and/or physical examination. I did so
    because we're at war, and I just want to be super--you know, super
    cautious.
        And I informed the Vice President of this,
    and he's fully prepared to--standing by. He'll realize he's not going to
    be President that long. [Laughter]
        Q. Is he back in Washington, sir?
        The President. He is. Yes, he is.
        Q. What time will you be doing this tomorrow?
        The President. Well, the time is--you know, I really don't want to
    put out a time, and I hope you understand why.
        Q. Where's the Vice President, here?
        The President. He'll be--I'm not sure where he'll be.
        Press Secretary Ari Fleischer. We'll hold
    a briefing. We'll fill you in.
        The President. Yes, I need to find out where
    he's----

    President's Health

        Q. Any family history of colon cancer?
        The President. Let's see, not really. Well, my brother--yes, I had a
    brother who had colitis, and so there's some history there.
        I do recommend and urge that people take--get these precautionary
    tests and take a look. I had my first ``scope,'' as we say

    [[Page 1081]]

    in the business, I think maybe 5 or 6 years ago. They discovered polyps
    for the first time. And it gets your attention a little bit.
    Fortunately, they were benign. And I think it's important to continue to
    get good checkups, and that's what this is about.
        So anyway, I'm glad to be able to share that with you. [Laughter]
    Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 4 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House.