[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
[April 28, 2006]
[Pages 822-830]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
The President's News Conference
April 28, 2006
The President. Thank you very much for joining us today. I'm joined
by my two top White House economic
advisers. The reason why is because we've
had some very positive economic news today. The Commerce Department
announced that our economy grew at an impressive 4.8 percent annual rate
in the first quarter of this year. That's the fastest rate since 2003.
This rapid growth is another sign that our economy is on the fast track.
The good news comes on the heels of two other important economic
indicators reported earlier this week: New home sales surged forward by
nearly 14 percent last month; consumer confidence reached its highest
level since May of 2002. This confidence is largely driven by the many
jobs being created in our country--5.1 million since August of 2003.
This good news cannot be taken for granted. With gas prices on the
minds of Americans, we need to keep our foot on the pedal of this strong
economy. The surest way to put the brakes on our economic growth would
be to raise taxes or spend too much of the people's money here in
Washington. That's why I'm going to continue to work with Congress to
make the tax relief that helped spur this economic growth permanent.
That's why I'm going to work with Congress to restrain the Federal
Government's appetite for spending. And that's why I'm going to work
with Congress to make this country less dependent on foreign sources of
oil.
I commend America's workers and small-business owners, innovators
and educators for contributing to the strong economic health of our
Nation. I will continue to pursue progrowth policies so that opportunity
reaches every American neighborhood and every American family.
With that, I'll be glad to take a couple of questions.
Q. Mr. President----
The President. Excuse me, please. Jennifer [Jennifer Loven,
Associated Press].
Iran
Q. Thank you, sir. The IAEA says that Iran is not in compliance with
the Security Council. What sort of sanctions do you--would you like to
see and--that could bring Russia and Chinese support?
The President. The IAEA statement is an important statement. It
reminds the nations of the world that there is an ongoing diplomatic
effort to convince the Iranians to give up their nuclear weapons
ambitions. It reminds--it should remind the Iranians that the world is
united and concerned about their desire to have not only a nuclear
weapon but the capacity to make a nuclear weapon or the knowledge to
make a nuclear weapon, all of which we're working hard to convince them
not to try to achieve.
I will consult and continue to consult with our allies on this
issue. I spoke to Chancellor Merkel this
morning about this issue. She will be coming to Washington next week. We
will continue discussions about how we can continue to maintain a united
front. It's very important for the Iranians to understand there's a
common desire by a lot of nations in this world to convince them,
peacefully convince
[[Page 823]]
them, that they ought to give up their weapons ambitions.
Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].
Fuel/Energy
Q. Thank you, sir. You mentioned gas prices. Would you go along with
an effort by some Senate Republicans that could levy a significant tax
on oil companies' profits? And does it bother you that the oil companies
are racking up these record profits when people are paying $3 a gallon?
The President. My attitude is that the oil companies need to be
mindful that the American people expect them to reinvest their cash
flows in such a way that it enhances our energy security. That means
pipeline construction for natural gas deliveries. That means expansion
of refineries. That means exploration in environmentally friendly ways.
It also means investment in renewable sources of energy. And that's what
the American people expect. They also expect to be treated fairly at the
pump, and that's why the Federal Trade Commission is going to monitor
the situation very carefully to make sure the American people are
treated fairly.
Q. So ``no'' to a tax on profits?
The President. Look, the temptation in Washington is to tax
everything, and they spend the money--``they'' being the people in
Washington. The answer is, is for there to be strong reinvestment to
make this country more secure from an energy perspective.
Listen, these oil prices are a wake-up call. We're dependent upon
oil, and we need to get off oil. And the best way to do so is through
technology. And I've been traveling the country talking about the need
to develop alternative sources of energy, such as ethanol, and to spend
money to advance technologies, such as new battery technology that will
enable us to have plug-in hybrid vehicles. We signed a good energy bill
a while ago, and that encouraged--for example, one thing it's got in
there is a tax credit to encourage people to purchase hybrid vehicles so
that the consumptive patterns of the American people change.
And the American people have got to understand that we're living in
a global economy, and so when China and India demand more oil, it
affects the price of gasoline at the pump. And therefore, it's important
for us to diversify away from oil.
But it's also important for the people to understand that one of the
reasons why the price is gasoline is up is there's tight gasoline
supplies. And one reason there's tight gasoline supplies is because we
haven't built any new refineries since the 1970s. And therefore,
Congress needs to provide regulatory relief so people can expand their
refineries.
So it's a combination of people investing the cash flows as well as
regulatory relief to enhance the ability for people to achieve the
objective, which is more gasoline on the market, which will help our
consumers.
Dick Keil [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News].
Sudan
Q. Thank you, Mr. President. You have a meeting later today on
Darfur, and the Sudanese Government continues to thwart efforts by the
U.N. and other multinational organizations to take a firmer control of
the situation there. Is there anything you can do to leverage the
Sudanese Government, and what's your message to them?
The President. My message to them is, we expect there to be full
compliance with the international desire for there to be peace in the
Darfur region. We have taken the situation to the United Nations
Security Council. My belief is that the AU forces that are on the
ground--and by the way, we helped the AU forces get in there in the
first place--we think that force needs to be expanded and blue-helmeted
with the NATO overlay, with NATO help.
And so therefore, the message to the Sudanese Government is, we're
very serious about getting this problem solved. We don't
[[Page 824]]
like it when we see women raped and brutalized. And we expect there to
be a full effort by the Government to protect human life and human
condition.
We also recognize there's a parallel political track taking place,
and that we urge the rebels as well as the Government to forge a
consensus at Abuja, so that there is a way forward from this--from the
impasse, political impasse that has taken place thus far in Sudan. There
is a good go-by for people to look at, and that is the north-south
agreement that this Government helped fashion under the leadership of
Secretary of State Colin Powell as well as
Special Envoy Jack Danforth. The
north-south agreement shows that political solutions are possible.
And so we expect the Sudanese Government to be good-faith
bargainers; we expect the rebels to be good-faith bargainers. But we
also expect people to--particularly the Sudanese Government, to make a
more concerted effort to control the Janjaweed and protect human life.
The meeting today and the rallies around the country are a clear signal
that the United States is committed to peace in Darfur.
Mark Smith [Associated Press Radio].
Iran
Q. Mr. President, let's come back to Iran, if we can. The Iranians
have said they're going to ignore what happens at the U.N. Security
Council. Doesn't that mean the diplomatic options are dwindling?
The President. No, I think the diplomatic options are just
beginning. As you might recall, about 6 or 7 months ago, you were asking
me questions about the United Nations Security Council vis-a-vis Iran,
and now we're headed to the United Nations Security Council. And I look
forward to working with all interested parties to make sure that there's
a common voice.
Listen, the first thing that has to happen diplomatically for
anything to be effective is that we all agree on the goal. And we've
agreed on the goal, and that is the Iranians should not have a nuclear
weapon, the capacity to make a nuclear weapon, or the knowledge as to
how to make a nuclear weapon. And now that we've got the goal in mind,
we're working on the tactics. And today's IAEA report should remind us
all that the Iranian Government's intransigence is not acceptable.
David Gregory [NBC News].
Second-Term Agenda
Q. Mr. President, we're seeing some turnover and some change within
your administration, and I wonder what it says about what you think is
necessary to turn your Presidency around at this point?
The President. I think it's necessary to continue doing--to
achieving results for the American people. We've got big challenges for
this country, and I've got a strategy to deal with them.
The biggest challenge we face is winning the war on terror and to
protect the American people. And we'll continue to keep on the offense,
to keep the terrorists off balance, to find them and bring them to
justice. And at the same time, we'll continue to work to spread
democracy, understanding that democracy is the best way to defeat an
ideology of hatred.
At home, it's important to make sure this economy continues to grow,
and that's why I'm working with Congress to make the tax cuts permanent.
I fully understand there are some here who would like the tax cuts to
expire, or raise taxes. In my judgment, that would be bad for the
economy. It would hurt small-business formation and hurt the
entrepreneurial spirit. So I will continue to work with Congress to make
these tax cuts a real part of economic life for a long time coming.
And we've also got to be wise about spending. I issued a veto threat
the other day because I was deeply concerned that the supplemental was
getting out of hand. And I recognize that in order for us to cut the
deficit in half, we've got to keep
[[Page 825]]
progrowth economic policies in place, as well as control Federal
spending.
I talked about the need for this country not to fear the future but
to shape it. In other words, we shouldn't worry about competition from
China and India. And because--we can outcompete those countries if we're
wise about what we do here at home. And one of the most wise things we
can do is to make sure our children have got the skills necessary to
fill the jobs of the 21st century.
I've been talking about energy independence for a long period of
time. You might remember, last summer, I was urging Congress to pass a
comprehensive energy bill so that we could deal with conservation and
new technologies and diversification. And so I'm going to keep working
hard for the American people to get results.
By the way, we're in the midst of implementing now a Medicare bill
which is helping our seniors a lot. And if you--if a senior has not
signed up, I urge you to take a look at the Medicare prescription drug
program, particularly if you're a low-income senior. It's an enormous
benefit, and it's a necessary benefit.
So there's a lot to do today, but we'll continue to be results-
oriented.
Martha Raddatz [ABC News].
Q. Sir. I'm sorry, but I asked you about your internal changes and
what that says about how you think things need to be changed. They've
been very public, your internal changes.
The President. Well, David, I'm a results-oriented person, and my
job is to achieve things for the American people, positive results that
make us more secure and more prosperous. And of course, I will have
people by my side that work toward that objective.
Thank you for your penetrating question.
Q. Thank you.
The President. Plus, I'm not going to hire you, if that's what you
were suggesting. [Laughter]
Q. I was not suggesting that. [Laughter]
The President. I would, except you can't pass the background check.
[Laughter] Okay, an unnecessary cheap shot; I take it back.
Martha.
Iran/Iraq
Q. You often say Iran is not Iraq.
The President. Yes, I do say that.
Q. There are many people who fear that this will turn into a
military confrontation. Why is Iran not Iraq? There's WMD----
The President. Iraq went through 16 different Security Council
resolutions. There was resolution after resolution after resolution.
Iraq had invaded its neighbors. Iraq was shooting at U.S. aircraft. Iraq
had actually used weapons of mass destruction on its people before.
There's a difference between the two countries.
Iran's desire to have a nuclear weapon is dangerous, in my judgment.
The diplomatic process is just starting.
Q. But when you talk about that, how many resolutions are you going
to let go here? How far----
The President. We haven't had one yet.
Q. I know, but how far can you let them go? If you really fear that
they're building a nuclear----
The President. Wait until we even get one resolution first, before
you ask me about the second resolution. The diplomatic process is just
beginning. We're forming a strong coalition of like-minded countries
that believe that the Iranians should not have a nuclear weapon. And
I've told the American people that diplomacy is my first choice, and it
should be the first choice of every American President in order to solve
a very difficult problem. There are significant differences between Iran
and Iraq.
Kelly [Kelly O'Donnell, NBC News].
Spanish Version of National Anthem
Q. Mr. President, a cultural question for you. There is a version of
the national anthem in Spanish now. Do you believe it
[[Page 826]]
will hold the same value if sung in Spanish as in English?
The President. No, I don't.
Q. Why, sir?
The President. Because I think the national anthem ought to be sung
in English. And I think people who want to be a citizen of this country
ought to learn English, and they ought to learn to sing the national
anthem in English.
Axelrod [Jim Axelrod, CBS News].
Iran
Q. Mr. President.
The President. Yes.
Q. I just want to follow up one more time on Iran. Mr. Ahmadi-nejad
was quoted this morning as saying, those who want to prevent Iranians
from obtaining their right should ``know that we do not give a damn,''
his words, sir, ``about such resolutions.''
The President. Okay.
Q. When you're talking about diplomacy, sir, a question of tactics
at this point, not goals. If you have, for instance, Russia saying they
don't want a Chapter VII resolution, if you're dealing with a gentleman
who uses this kind of rhetoric, what kind of tactics can you possibly
come up with?
The President. I guess the first thing I would do is refer those
comments to our partners and get their reaction, to see what they say,
see how they react to those kind of comments. And I haven't had a chance
to do that yet, since it just happened today. But I will continue to
work with our friends and allies.
Listen, key--step one is to have a common goal. I know that sounds
simple to you, probably, but it wasn't always that way. The world wasn't
always of like mind that the Iranians were, you know, headed for a
weapon, and that that would be a dangerous course of action. And now we
are of like mind. And so we are in the stage now of formulating a
strategy to achieve a diplomatic solution to this problem.
Q. But Mr. President, given everything you've been hearing from Mr.
Ahmadi-nejad over the past several weeks and months, in your estimation,
is this someone you can work with?
The President. That's going to be his choice, eventually. And it's
going to be very important for Mr. Ahmadi-nejad to recognize the world is united in our desire, and
it's his choice to make.
Carl Cameron [FOX News].
Fuel
Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Good morning.
The President. Thank you.
Q. Back to gas prices just a moment ago. Insofar as you directed
some of your Cabinet this week to look into the possibility of price
gouging, do you have a suspicion yourself, do you have evidence here at
the White House? And should the American consumer believe that you think
they're being ripped off?
The President. I have no evidence that there's any rip-off taking
place, but it's the role of the Federal Trade Commission to assure me
that my inclination and instincts is right. More importantly, it's up to
the Federal Trade Commission to assure the American people that they're
being treated fairly at the pump.
Let's see--Mark Smith.
Q. Another one?
The President. Oh, you already asked one?
Q. Call on my colleagues.
The President. Did you ask one?
Q. Yes, sir.
The President. Oh, you did ask one. [Laughter]
Q. It was a memorable question.
Q. Really a great question. [Laughter]
Q. Can I follow up on the energy question, Mr. President?
The President. No, you can't, because I just embarrassed myself by
calling on Smith twice. [Laughter] That's right; it was that brilliant
question. How could I forget?
[[Page 827]]
VandeHei [Jim VandeHei, Washington Post].
Energy/Alternative Fuel Sources
Q. In talking about gas prices, in 2001, when you did your first
energy policy and gas prices were about $1.50, a lot of people were
saying, you know, you have to push CAFE standards higher for the entire
fleet of vehicles; you have to scrutinize oil companies more closely;
you have to spend a lot more in alternative fuels than even you were
proposing. Do you have any regrets now that gas is $3 that you didn't do
enough in your first term to prevent these prices?
The President. As you know, in order for there to be a CAFE standard
increase on cars, it requires congressional action. I think it's a good
idea to give the President, through the Secretary of
Transportation, the opportunity to raise
CAFE standards, just like I did on light trucks. And we're spending--I
think it's about $10 billion since I've been President on alternative
sources of energy, and we're making progress; we're close to some
significant breakthroughs.
The point is, is that it's very important for us to diversify away
from oil. You might remember, when I first came in, I think the price of
oil was like--I know it was below $20, and it's all of a sudden--now
that the price of oil is up, alternatives become much more economically
viable, and therefore, I think the American people are going to see a
lot of technological development happen quickly, which will enable
people to have different options and different choices.
The hybrid vehicle has just hit the road recently, as you know.
There's a big demand for hybrids. I think it makes sense to have tax
credits to encourage people to buy hybrids. Increase in demand will
cause producers to produce more. And as you know, that there's
limitations on the number of--the amount of tax credit issued per
manufacturer. I think we ought to just make sure the tax credit is
applied to all people purchasing hybrid vehicles.
Herman [Ken Herman, Austin American-Statesman].
Dubai Holding LLC
Q. Thank you, sir.
The President. Yes. Glad to work you into a national press
conference for the first time in a long time.
Q. Proud to be here, sir. Are there inherent and unavoidable risks
in allowing the sale of a defense firm to interests owned by Dubai?
The President. That question has been looked at very carefully, has
been analyzed by a CFIUS committee. I signed off on it this morning
because I'm convinced, at the recommendation of the CFIUS committee, as
well as our military, that it's a sale that should go through.
April [April Ryan, American Urban Radio Networks].
Elections in New Orleans, LA
Q. Mr. President, some have questioned your efforts in having every
vote count in this Nation, especially after the April 22d New Orleans
elections. Now with that, what are you looking to do with the three
sections of the Voting Rights Act that are set to expire in 2007? How
are you planning to enhance those sections, because we understand that
you want to study it prior to any passing of a bill by the Senate.
The President. I think I'm on record--as a matter of fact, I'm
pretty clearly on record, particularly at the Rosa Parks--signing of the
Rosa Parks bill, that I'm for the extension of the Voting Rights Act,
right?
Q. Yes, yes you are on record. But there is word that you want to
enhance it, or people within your administration want to look at it to
tweak it.
The President. I wanted to make sure the Voting Rights Act is strong
and capable. I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about. But my
statement is my statement:
[[Page 828]]
The Voting Rights Act ought to be extended. The Voting Rights Act is a
very important part of the civil rights legislation. Everybody ought to
be encouraged to vote. Voting is a valuable part of democracy, and we
want people voting.
Q. Do you think it was valuable in April--for the April 22d
elections in New Orleans?
The President. I'm not going to second-guess the Federal
judge. I was just down there yesterday; I
didn't hear much complaining about it, though, when I was there. And
obviously, it's a more difficult election with people scattered around,
but the State worked very hard to encourage people to vote. And I was
with Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco, and the subject, frankly, didn't come up.
That's not to say it's not on their minds. It's on Mayor Nagin's mind
because he wants to win; he wants people voting.
But the State bent over backwards to encourage people to participate
in the mayoral election. And it looked like the process, given the
circumstances the city had been under, pretty smooth process, which is
not necessarily a given.
Yes, sir.
Emergency Management/Gulf Coast Recovery
Q. Mr. President, yesterday Senators Lieberman and Collins said they
want to see FEMA abolished. I'd like you to comment on that. But also,
with hurricane season only a month away, can you assure the American
people that your Government has learned the lessons of Katrina?
The President. Thanks for the question. That was obviously on
people's minds when I went down to New Orleans and Mississippi. The
lessons of Katrina are very important. We've learned a lot here at the
Federal level: One, there needs to be better coordination between local
and State governments; secondly, that there needs to be a communications
package that will be available to help deal with the situation that
happened last time, which was total destruction of communications
capabilities; third, that there needs to make sure that there is a law
enforcement alternative in case there's a local--a breakdown of local
law enforcement; fourthly, there needs to be a prepositioning of assets
so that if a major storm were to come, we'd be able to move equipment in
faster.
But most important, there needs to be a coordination and an
understanding of the evacuation and relief plans. And I talked to the
mayor and both Governors that I met with
yesterday about our seriousness in working with them to make sure that
the plans are as effective as possible.
The communications, obviously, this time around are a lot better
than last time around. And so the lessons are being learned. And my
attitude toward the recommendations by Fran Townsend, who is a part of my administration, or the Congress is
we ought to take them all seriously. The objective is to respond to
these natural disasters as well as we possibly can.
The other issue down there for New Orleans, of course, are the
levees. And we've got money in the sup to make sure that these levees
are pre-Katrina or better prior to June 1st. I think we'll achieve that
objective. Additional money will be spent so that the levees are
improved significantly by September of '07. The levees are important--
the rebuilding of the levees, or improving of the levees are very
important to assure the people of New Orleans that if there is a storm,
they're built to pre-Katrina levels, as least in the initial stage. But
also, it's important to convince people that it's okay to risk capital
in New Orleans.
The amazing thing in the area down there--I don't know if you all
went with me--but it was--there's this totally different attitude from
when we were there before, early on, obviously, after the storm. People
are coming back. Sales taxes along the gulf coast of Mississippi are
higher today than they were a year ago this date. And that's positive.
[[Page 829]]
But look, there's still a lot of work to be done, a lot of
reconstruction. The CDBG money--and it's very important for the Congress
to pass the CDBG money I requested so that the housing issue can get--
people can get back to rebuilding their homes. And Mississippi, the CDBG
money will be coming out pretty quick; New Orleans, they've still got a
little work. The Governor has
proposed a plan that will be in front of the legislature, I think, this
weekend. It's a very important step to getting this process moving.
And so, got a lot of work to do. But, yes, we're much more ready
this time than last time. And we're taking very seriously the lessons
learned from Katrina.
Q. Abolish FEMA?
The President. I've looked at all suggestions, but my attitude is,
let's make it work. We're about 6 weeks away from--we're getting pretty
close.
Who are you again? [Laughter]
Q. I got a few more, if you like.
The President. You've had a big day. [Laughter]
Q. That's three. That's three.
The President. Butting in once, called on unnecessarily once.
Cooper [Christopher Cooper, Wall Street Journal].
Emergency Response Preparation
Q. Yes, sir, regarding FEMA, do you think that they're prepared for
the season? And is there any way to measure that at this point?
The President. I think preparation is--Chris, preparation is
preparation at all levels of government. Most Governors will tell you
that the main responsibility for disaster relief is at the State level.
And the job of the Federal Government is to step in and help. And so
Chertoff has been down there. Secretary
Chertoff has been down there working with these local governments to
review their plans and to analyze where the Federal Government can help
if there's any breakdown whatsoever.
One of the key issues, of course, again, in New Orleans, is
transportation. We remember those pictures of those buses--people
looking to get out, and yet there were these buses in flooded areas. And
so one of the areas where Homeland Security Department, working with the
State and local governments, is to make sure there's a transportation
plan that will work.
It's going to be interesting--let's pray--first of all, pray there's
no hurricanes. That would be, like, step one. Step two, if one is
coming, I suspect people are going to take hurricane warnings very
seriously and that evacuation orders will be heeded very seriously. And
so it's going to be a--and therefore, there's a need to make sure that
the forecasting is accurate--and this is pretty much the way it is these
days, been very accurate forecasting--and that the response by all of us
is in a timely fashion to give people time to prepare.
But now is the time to put these plans in place, and we're doing it.
And I feel pretty good about the coordination and the sessions that have
been taking place down there. And as I understand, Secretary
Chertoff will be going back down there
again.
And, by the way, the plans are not just for New Orleans and
Mississippi; they're for Alabama and Florida and Texas as well. In other
words, it's for Hurricane Alley.
Yes. Dallas Morning News man [G. Robert Hillman, Dallas Morning
News].
Immigration Reform
Q. Yes, Mr. President. On Monday, several million illegal
immigrants, worried about some forms of immigration legislation in the
Congress, are going to walk off the job and keep their kids home from
schools. What is your view of this call for a national boycott on
Monday?
The President. I'm not a supporter of boycotts; I am a supporter of
comprehensive immigration. I understand how difficult this issue is for
some people here in Washington and around the country, but there
[[Page 830]]
is--my judgment, that enforcing our border requires a--and by the way, I
think most Americans agree that we've got to enforce our border. I don't
think there's any question about that----
Q. Do you think----
The President. Let me finish, please, Bob, thank you--that there
needs to be interior enforcement as well. But I recognize it's hard to
enforce the border and have interior enforcement if there is a smuggling
network that's bringing people across and there's a forgery network
that's providing people false documents. And therefore, I believe a
temporary-worker program will make it easier to enforce the border, as
well as have interior enforcement.
And if somebody is coming across to do a job on a temporary basis,
they don't need to sneak across. They don't need a coyote to stuff them
in the back of an 18-wheeler. They don't need to walk across the desert
and risk their lives. And so a rational way to make sure our border is
enforced is to have a temporary-worker program. And that's what I
support.
I think it's very important for people, when they do express
themselves, they continue to do so in a peaceful way, in a respectful
way--respectful of the--how highly charged this debate can become. One
of the things that's very important is when we debate this issue that we
not lose our national soul. One of the great things about America is
that we've been able to take people from all walks of life bound as one
nation under God. And that's the challenge ahead of us.
And I look forward to working with members of both political parties
to get a bill out of the United States Senate and into conference, which
would then mean we have a chance to get a comprehensive bill to my desk.
And I want a comprehensive bill, one that enforces the border, one that
makes sure that we've got interior enforcement procedures in place that
actually work, one that provides a temporary-worker process for people,
one that does not provide automatic citizenship--I don't think anybody
really wants there to be automatic amnesty for people--one that allows
somebody here to be able to get in--if they want to be a citizen, to be
able to get in line, but not the front of the line but the back of the
line.
And that's what I'm for, a comprehensive plan. I think we can get
one done if people would set aside politics and focus on what's best for
the United States of America.
Thank you for your time. I've enjoyed this. I will see you all
tomorrow night, I guess. Looking forward to it. I hope you are as well.
Note: The President spoke at 11:47 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
House. In his remarks, he referred to Edward P. Lazear, Chairman,
Council of Economic Advisers; former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell;
former Senator John C. Danforth of Missouri; Chancellor Angela Merkel of
Germany; President Mahmud Ahmadi-nejad of Iran; Mayor C. Ray Nagin of
New Orleans, LA; Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana; and Gov.
Haley Barbour of Mississippi.