    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 7, 2003]
    [Pages 1261-1264]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting and an Exchange With Reporters
    October 7, 2003

        The President. Thank you all for coming. I met with my Cabinet. We
    talked about national security matters and economic security matters.
    We're making good progress on the economy. Looks like we're growing, and
    that's important. Last month we--people are finding work, but we're not
    satisfied with the progress that is being made. We

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    talked about ways to continue the economic vitality of our country. The
    tax cuts need to be made permanent so there's certainty in the Tax Code.
    We need an energy plan so that our businesses and employers, both large
    and small, know there's a reliable source of energy available.
        We talked about trade and this administration's commitment to free
    and fair trade, that administrative officials will continue to press
    certain countries to open up their markets to U.S. product. We talked
    about the need to have associated health care plans so that our small
    businesses have affordable health care. And finally, we talked about the
    need for legal reform. There's just too many lawsuits, junk lawsuits
    which drive up the cost of health care.
        And in a lot of these matters, the Congress needs to join with this
    administration to pass good law so that the American people can find
    work. We're an optimistic administration because good things are
    beginning to happen in our country. We will not rest until everybody who
    is looking for work can find a job.
        I want to thank the members of the Cabinet for serving our Nation
    with such class and distinction. And I'll be glad to answer some
    questions, starting with the AP man [Scott Lindlaw, Associated Press].

    California Gubernatorial Election

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Back in August, you said you thought
    Arnold Schwarzenegger would make a good Governor. We've learned some new
    things about him. There's an election today. Do you still feel that way?
        The President. I feel like the California people are going to make a
    wise decision, that they--they are now in charge of the process. And it
    looks like there's a pretty active turnout in absentee ballots, and
    people are taking it seriously, and I have no idea how the election is
    going to turn out.
        Q. Is he the kind of guy you could work with?
        The President. If he's the
    Governor, I'll work with him, absolutely. He's obviously waged a
    spirited campaign. He's captured a lot of people's imagination. I
    haven't been paying that close attention to it, because I've got a job
    to do here in Washington. But the process is about over. The people of
    California are going to speak, and I look forward to seeing what the
    results are. I may not stay up for it--[laughter]--all night long. I'll
    be reading your stories first thing in the morning.
        Dana [Dana Bash, Cable News Network].

    Disclosure of CIA Employee's Identity

        Q. Mr. President, beyond the actual leak of classified information,
    there are reports that someone in the administration was trying to--
    after it was already out--actively spread the story, even calling
    Ambassador Wilson's wife ``fair game.'' Are you asking your staff if
    anyone did that? Would it be wrong or even a fireable offense if that
    happened?
        The President. Well, the investigators will ask our staff about what
    people did or did not do. This is a town of--where a lot of people leak.
    And I've constantly expressed my displeasure with leaks, particularly
    leaks of classified information. And I want to know; I want to know the
    truth. I want to see to it that the truth prevail, and I hope we can get
    this investigation done in a thorough way, as quickly as possible.
        But the Justice Department will conduct this investigation. The
    professionals in the Justice Department will be involved in ferreting
    out the truth. These are citizens who will--were here before this
    administration arrived and will be here after this administration
    leaves. And they'll come to the bottom of this, and we'll find out the
    truth. And that will be--that's a good thing for this administration.
        Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News].

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    National Economy

        Q. Mr. President, a survey of economists that we published yesterday
    found that--it was between 40 and 50 of them--and they think that the
    growth rate over the next year may only be in the low 3-percent range,
    and that's below the 4-percent range that you and your economic advisers
    have said will be needed to create the kind of jobs that will really
    keep the growth going. Does that concern you? Do you think those
    predictions are accurate?
        The President. Well, one thing is certain, that the growth rate is
    going to be positive, as opposed to the negative growth rate we
    inherited. In other words, we came into office and dealt with a
    recession, then dealt with attacks, then dealt with corporate scandals,
    dealt with the march to war, all of which affected the confidence of the
    people. And we put forth a very aggressive tax plan, because we believe
    that that is the best way to help this country grow out of recession.
        I've just outlined other things that need to happen in order to make
    sure that the people are able to find work. Dick, I am not very good
    about guessing about the economy. There's all kinds of experts; you'll
    probably find all kinds of opinions. But I do know that the actions we
    have taken were necessary actions and that are good--they were good
    actions for economic vitality and growth.
        The Congress needs to work with us for an energy plan. They need to
    work with us for good liability reform. We will continue to press to
    open up foreign markets. I'm a free trader, but I'm also a fair trader.
    And I believe our manufacturing sector, for example, must be treated
    fairly in foreign markets.
        We need an energy plan. We've debated an energy plan for too long.
    This administration has put forth a very good energy plan. And Congress
    needs to quit debating the idea, get the differences reconciled, and get
    a bill to my desk. I'm confident Senator Domenici and Representative Tauzin want to do just that. So there are other things to
    do to get this economy moving, and we'll see what--see what happens.
        I will tell you I'm optimistic, and I'm optimistic because things
    are improving. But there's a lot more to do.
        Randy [Randall Mikkelsen, Reuters].

    Disclosure of CIA Employee's Identity/Israeli Foreign Policy

        Q. Mr. President, how confident are you the investigation will find
    the leaker in the CIA case? And what do you make of Sharon's comment
    that Israel will strike its enemies at any place, any time?
        The President. This is the dual question. [Laughter] I'm trying to
    figure out if I want to answer either of them, since you violated a
    major rule. [Laughter] At least it's not a cell phone. [Laughter]
        Randy, you tell me, how many sources have you had that's leaked
    information that you've exposed or have been exposed? Probably none. I
    mean this town is a--is a town full of people who like to leak
    information. And I don't know if we're going to find out the senior
    administration official. Now, this is a large administration, and
    there's a lot of senior officials. I don't have any idea. I'd like to. I
    want to know the truth. That's why I've instructed this staff of mine to
    cooperate fully with the investigators--full disclosure. Everything we
    know, the investigators will find out. I have no idea whether we'll find
    out who the leaker is, partially because, in all due respect to your
    profession, you do a very good job of protecting the leakers. But we'll
    find out.
        In terms of Prime Minister Sharon, I have
    constantly said Israel should defend herself. But I've also told--as I
    mentioned to you at the press availability yesterday--that it's
    important for the Prime Minister to avoid escalation, that the decisions
    he makes to defend her people are valid decisions. We would be doing the
    same thing. This country will defend our people.

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        But we are also mindful when we make decisions, as the Prime
    Minister should be, that the--that he fully understand the consequences
    of any decision and that while he defends his people that there is not--
    that he doesn't create the conditions necessary for--that would cause
    the escalation--the violence to escalate.
        Q. Did the strike on Syria--did the strike on Syria cause an
    escalation?
        The President. The Prime Minister must defend his country. It's
    essential. This is a country which recently was attacked by a suicider
    that killed innocent children and women, people that were celebrating in
    a restaurant. And he must do what is necessary to protect himself. At
    the same time, as I said yesterday and will continue to say to Ariel
    Sharon, ``Avoid escalating violence.''
        Listen, thank you all. Anybody else did not get a question in this
    vaunted press corps?

    American League Championship Series

        Q. Red Sox--Red Sox or Yankees?
        The President. Listen, I'm excited about the playoffs. I tuned in
    after the state dinner that was somewhat covered in the press yesterday.
    [Laughter] But it was--you know, it's good for baseball. My team, of
    course, was eliminated in June. [Laughter]
        Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:42 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of
    Israel. A reporter referred to former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV.