    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [January 2, 2003]
    [Pages 15-19]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters in Crawford
    January 2, 2003

    2004 Election/President's Agenda

        Q. Sir, there's another Democrat has thrown his hat into the ring
    today, John Edwards. What do you think of the Democrat strategy to
    essentially say that you're not keeping America safe enough? You've
    heard some of that from some of the speeches.
        The President. Oh, you know, I understand politics, and I'm not
    paying attention

    [[Page 16]]

    to politics. I'm going to continue doing the job the American people
    expect, which is to safeguard America and Americans.
        We've got a war on our hands. There is a terrorist network that
    still is interested in harming Americans, and we will hunt them down.
    There are countries which are developing weapons of mass destruction,
    and we will deal with them appropriately.
        One country is Iraq. Obviously, we expect them to live up to the
    U.N. Security resolutions and disarm. And if they won't, we'll lead a
    coalition to disarm them.
        Another country is North Korea. And we are working with friends and
    allies in the region to explain clearly to North Korea it's not in their
    nation's interest to develop and proliferate weapons of mass
    destruction. It was right here at this spot where Jiang Zemin, makes
    up his mind to disarm--see, it's his choice to make. See, you need to
    ask him that question, not me.
        Q. But the White House is drawing up plans to pay for the war, if we
    come to that. So why----
        The President. Well, let's leave it at ``if,'' for a while then,
    until it happens.
        Q. So you don't want to talk about whether our economy could sustain
    it, if that's a possibility?
        The President. I thought that was the question I answered yesterday,
    so we'll go back to that question, Heidi. I mean, Holly.
        Q. Thank you, sir.

    2004 Election

        Q. How do you size up the Democrats who are in line to oppose you?
    What do you think of Senator----
        The President. Not paying attention to it yet, not paying attention
    to the race yet. I've got a lot on my agenda and a lot on my platter.
    And I understand politics. I know there's going to be a lot of verbiage
    and a lot of noise and a lot of posturing and a lot of elbowing. To me,
    that's just going to be background noise. My job is to protect the
    American people and work to create confidence in our economy so that
    people can find work.
        Q. On some level, were you getting ready for a rematch and hoping
    for a rematch with Al Gore?
        The President. Really wasn't paying much attention to it, Stretch
    [David Gregory, NBC News]. I seriously was--I've got my mind on the
    peace and security of the American people. And politics will sort itself
    out. And one of these days, somebody will emerge, and we'll tee it up
    and see

    [[Page 18]]

    who the American people want to lead. And until that happens, I'm going
    to be doing my job.

    National Economy

        Q. One more thing, any thoughts for the American investor going into
    this new year?
        The President. Well, hopefully the American investor realizes that
    the--this economy is pretty darn strong, given the fact that we have
    been through a recession and a terrorist attack, a breach of corporate
    confidence because of some malfeasance. And yet the economy still grows.
    That's very positive.
        Now, I recognize that there are some uncertainties. But one thing is
    certain, that the economy of the United States is strong and resilient.
    And we must put policies in place to enhance that resiliency and enhance
    that strength.

    Border and Homeland Security

        Q. Sir, you asked or you talked the other day about authorizing an
    APB for those five people that were wanted by the FBI for coming into
    this country. Today one guy from Pakistan says that he is one of those
    people on those pictures, and he has never been to the United States.
        The President. Well, we need to follow up on forged passports and
    people trying to come into our country illegally. The American people
    need to know that anytime we get a hint that somebody might be coming
    into our country to cause harm, we'll follow up on it. And you know, if
    we think there's a smuggling ring that's willing to smuggle people in
    that might harm America, we'll deal with it.
        And there's--you know, and if this fellow is one of them--and I
    think they're trying to check that out right now. And as I recall, the
    story--I haven't fully read it all--but as I recall, it said he had a
    false passport. I'm kind of curious to know why he needs a false
    passport. We like things aboveboard here in America.
        We want people coming to our country that wants to take--that wants
    to either visit this great country or study in this great country or see
    relatives in this great country and do so in a peaceful and lawful way.
    And people have a feeling like they've got to travel here with false
    passports sends a pretty alarming signal to those of us who are involved
    with the security of the country.
        Q. Do you have the suspicion that there is a smuggling ring that may
    not have specific terrorist ties, but that there's a ring of----
        The President. I'm not sure what the--you know, how to detail. All I
    can tell you is that we were concerned and alerted to the fact that
    somebody might be coming into the country. There are--having said that,
    there are a lot of smuggling rings that we're dealing with. The INS
    needs to deal with that. And the new Homeland Security Department will
    be dealing with smuggling rings, like the ``coyotes'' right south of
    here that are smuggling people across and treating those poor people--
    stuffing them into these trailers and abusing them. They need to be
    dealt with as well. Most of the smuggling rings are not terrorist
    related, but if we get a hint, a whiff that some of them are, we'll deal
    with them.
        All right, let's go get some coffee.

    Situation in Iraq

        Q. One more. Are you satisfied that the inspectors are getting to
    Saddam's weapon scientists?
        The President. He is a man who likes to
    play games and charades. The question is, will Saddam Hussein disarm?
    The world has asked him to disarm from weapons of mass destruction. The
    first indication isn't very positive that he will voluntarily disarm.
    After all, he put out a declaration that the world realized was false.
    And the inspectors are there to verify whether or not he is disarming.
    You hear these reports about Iraqi scientists being interviewed, but
    there's a ``minder'' in the room.

    [[Page 19]]

        You know, Saddam Hussein--hopefully he
    realizes we're serious, and hopefully he disarms peacefully. He's a
    danger to the American people. He's a danger to our friends and allies.
    For 11 long years, the world has dealt with him. And now he's got to
    understand, his day of reckoning is coming. And therefore, he must
    disarm voluntarily. I hope he does.
        All right, let's go get a coffee.

    Note: The exchange began at 12:14 p.m. during a walking tour of the Bush
    Ranch. In the exchange, the President referred to President Jiang Zemin
    of China; Chairman Kim Chong-il of North Korea; and President Saddam
    Hussein of Iraq. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of this exchange.