[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
[June 20, 2003]
[Page 665]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 665]]

Remarks on the Appointment of Scott McClellan as White House Press Secretary
June 20, 2003



    The President. I am, one, sad that Ari's 
leaving. He's done a fabulous job for my administration. I appreciate 
his friendship, his ability to handle a very tough job, and that is 
dealing with you.
    Fortunately, I've got a good man to take his place in Scott 
McClellan. I've known Scott for a long time. I look forward to working 
closely with him to make sure that the American people and, of course, 
the press corps gets the information that's needed to reflect the 
philosophy and the decisionmaking of this administration. He's able to 
do the job like Ari did, with the highest 
amount of professionalism and class, and I've got the full confidence in 
my new Press Secretary.
    Deputy Press Secretary McClellan. Mr. President, I'm honored. Thank 
you for your support and confidence.
    Four-and-a-half years ago, I went to work for the President because 
I believed in his leadership and I believed in his agenda. I knew that 
the President was a results-oriented, inclusive leader who governed from 
clear principles and compassionate conservative philosophy. And we have 
made a tremendous amount of progress in the last 2\1/2\ years, and I 
look forward to doing my small part as part of an outstanding White 
House team, to help him build upon that record of accomplishment.
    It is also a special privilege to be following my good friend Ari 
Fleischer, who has served the President exceptionally well and served 
the American people exceptionally well. I look forward to working with 
the White House press corps, at least most of you, anyway, as we do our 
part to keep the American people informed about the decisions that are 
being made here in Washington, DC.
    So Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward 
to it.
    The President. Thank you very much.
    Ari, thank you, buddy. You've done a great 
job.
    Thank you all. Have a great weekend. See you in Georgia.

Note: The President spoke at 3:39 p.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House prior to his departure for Greensboro, GA.