[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
[January 22, 2004]
[Pages 113-114]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters in Roswell
January 22, 2004

President's Visit to Roswell

    The President. I need some ribs.
    Q. Mr. President, how are you?
    The President. I'm hungry, and I'm going to order some ribs.
    Q. What would you like?
    The President. Whatever you think I'd like.

Homeland Security

    Q. Sir, on homeland security, critics would say you simply haven't 
spent enough to keep the country secure.
    The President. My job is to secure the homeland, and that's exactly 
what we're going to do. But I'm here to take somebody's order. That 
would be you, Stretch [Richard 
Keil, Bloomberg News]--what would you like? Put some of your high-priced 
money right here to try to help the local economy. You get paid a lot of 
money; you ought to be buying some food here. It's part of how the 
economy grows. You've got plenty of money in your pocket, and when you 
spend it, it drives the economy forward. So what would you like to eat?
    Q. Right behind you, whatever you order.

Nuthin' Fancy Cafe

    The President. I'm ordering ribs. David 
[David Gregory, NBC News], do you need a rib?
    Q. But Mr. President----
    The President. Stretch, thank 
you, this is not a press conference. This is my chance to help this lady 
put some money in her pocket. Let me explain how the economy works. When 
you spend money to buy food, it helps this lady's business. It makes it 
more likely somebody is going to find work. So instead of asking 
questions, answer mine: Are you going to buy some food?
    Q. Yes.
    The President. Okay, good. What would you like?
    Q. Ribs.
    The President. Ribs? Good. Let's order up some ribs.
    Q. What do you think of the Democratic field, sir?
    The President. See, his job is to ask questions; he thinks my job is 
to answer every question he asks. I'm here to help this restaurant by 
buying some food. Terry [Terry Moran, ABC News], 
would you like something?
    Q. An answer.
    Q. Can we buy some questions?
    The President. Obviously these people--they make a lot of money, and 
they're not going to spend much. I'm not saying they're overpaid; 
they're just not spending any money.
    Q. Do you think it's all going to come down to national security, 
sir, this election?
    The President. One of the things David 
does, he asks a lot of questions, and they're good, generally.

Note: The exchange began at 11:25 a.m. at the Nuthin' Fancy Cafe. A tape 
was not available for verification of the content of this exchange.

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