[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.