    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [September 20, 2007]
    [Pages 1213-1222]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's News Conference
    September 20, 2007

        The President. Good morning. In just 10 days, the State Children's
    Health Insurance Program, known as SCHIP, is set to expire. This
    important program helps children whose families cannot afford private
    health insurance, but do not qualify for Medicaid to get coverage they
    need.
        I have strongly supported SCHIP as a Governor, and I have done so as
    President. My 2008 budget proposed to increase SCHIP funding by $5
    billion over 5 years. It's a 20-percent increase over current levels of
    funding. Unfortunately, instead of working with the administration to
    enact this funding increase for children's health, Democrats in Congress
    have decided to pass a bill they know that will be vetoed. One of their
    leaders has even said such a veto would be,
    quote, ``a political victory.''
        As if this weren't irresponsible enough, Congress is waiting until
    the SCHIP program is just about to expire before getting a final bill
    passed. In other words, Members of Congress are putting health coverage
    for poor children at risk so they can score political points in
    Washington. The legislation would raise taxes on working people and
    would raise spending by between $35 to $50 billion. Their proposal would
    result in taking a program meant to help poor children and turning it
    into one that covers children in households with incomes of up to
    $83,000 a year.
        The proposal would move millions of American children who now have
    private health insurance into Government-run health care. Our goals
    should be for children who have no health insurance to be able to get
    private coverage, not for children who already have private health
    insurance to be able to get Government coverage.
        What I'm describing here is a philosophical divide that exists in
    Washington over the best approach for health care. Democratic leaders in
    Congress want to put more power in the hands of Government by expanding
    Federal health care programs. Their SCHIP plan is an incremental step
    toward the goal of Government-run health care for every American.
        I have a different view. I believe the best approach is to put more
    power in the hands of individuals by empowering people and their doctors
    to make health care decisions that are right for them. Instead of
    expanding SCHIP beyond its original purpose, we should return it to its
    original focus, and that is helping poor children, those who are most in
    need. And instead of encouraging people to drop private coverage in
    favor of Government plans, we should work to make basic private health
    insurance affordable and accessible for all Americans.
        My administration will continue working with Congress to pass a
    responsible SCHIP bill. In the meantime, Congress has an obligation to
    make sure health insurance for poor children does not lapse. If they
    fail to do so, more than a million children could lose health coverage.
    Health coverage for these children should not be held hostage while
    political ads are being made and new polls are being taken. Congress
    must pass a clean, temporary extension of the current SCHIP program that
    I can sign

    [[Page 1214]]

    by September the 30th. And that's the date when the program expires.
        I've instructed Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike
    Leavitt, who has joined us today, to work
    with States on ways to mitigate the damage that would result if Congress
    allows this program to lapse. Our goal in passing legislation should be
    getting something done for those in need, not getting nothing done so
    politicians in Washington can claim a political victory.
        Mike Leavitt is going to answer
    questions, if you have any, after my press conference. You looked a
    little concerned as to whether or not I'd ask--answer any questions. And
    now I'm happy to take any questions you have, starting with Terry
    [Terence Hunt, Associated Press].

    National Economy/Federal Budget

        Q. Mr. President, economists say that the Nation is at increasing
    risk of recession. What do you say?
        The President. I say that the fundamentals of our Nation's economy
    are strong. Inflation is down. Job markets are steady and strong. After
    all, the national unemployment rate is 4.6 percent. Corporate profits
    appear to be strong. Exports are up. There is no question that there is
    some unsettling times in the housing market and credits associated with
    the housing market. And that's why I look forward to working with
    Congress to modernize the FHA loans so that people can refinance their
    homes and to change the Tax Code so that if somebody renegotiates a
    loan, they don't have to pay a penalty, a tax penalty, in so doing.
        I'm optimistic about our economy. I would be pessimistic, however,
    if the Congress has its way and raises taxes. I believe the worst thing
    that can happen now is to allow the Congress to do that which they have
    said they want to do, which is to raise the taxes on people, and--
    because I think taking money out of the hands of investors and consumers
    and small-business owners would weaken the economy.
        And so, as I say, I'm optimistic. But I would be pessimistic if I
    thought Congress was going to get their way. And they're not; they're
    not going to raise taxes.
        Q. Do you think there's a risk of a recession? How do you rate that?
        The President. You know, you need to talk to economists. I think I
    got a B in Econ 101. I got an A, however, in keeping taxes low--
    [laughter]--and being fiscally responsible with the people's money.
    We've submitted a plan that will enable this budget to become balanced
    by 2012 so long as Congress learns to set priorities. And we can balance
    the budget without raising taxes.
        Caren [Caren Bohan, Reuters].

    Iran

        Q. Thank you. The French Foreign Minister has raised the possibility
    of war with Iran. Is there a risk that the escalating rhetoric over Iran
    could increase the chances of war, and what would be your message to the
    U.N. next week regarding Iran?
        The President. I have consistently stated that I'm hopeful that we
    can convince the Iranian regime to give up any ambitions it has in
    developing a weapons program, and do so peacefully. And that ought to be
    the objective of any diplomacy. And to this end, we are working with
    allies and friends to send a consistent message to the Iranians that
    there is a better way forward for them than isolation--financial
    isolation and/or economic sanctions.
        I believe it's imperative that we continue to work in a multilateral
    fashion to send that message. And one place to do so is at the United
    Nations. We're also talking to different Finance Ministers about how we
    can send a message to the Iranian Government that the free world is just
    not going to tolerate the development of know-how in how to build a
    weapon or at least gain the ability to make a weapon.

    [[Page 1215]]

        And the reason why is, is because it's very important for us to take
    the threats coming out of the mouth of the President of Iran very seriously. He's a person that is, you
    know--constantly talks about the use of force to--on Israel, for
    example, and Israel is our very firm and strong ally.
        I also--it's very important for the Iranian people to know that
    our--the United States recognizes the grand tradition and history of
    Iran and that we respect the people of Iran. We just believe that their
    Government has made choices that make it difficult for them to realize
    their dreams, to realize their full potential. The Iranian economy is
    suffering, some of it through mismanagement, some of it as a result of
    international pressures. And the people of Iran have got to know that
    some of the suffering that they're having inside their country is caused
    by their Government, its inability to work with the world in a
    responsible way regarding their desire to enrich uranium. And so we'll
    keep the pressure on them, and again, the objective, of course, is to
    solve this peacefully.
        David [David Gregory, NBC News]. Welcome back.

    Israel and Syria

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President.
        The President. Where have you been?
        Q. I've been around.
        The President. You've been doing those shows. [Laughter]
        Q. Sir, Israeli Opposition Leader Netanyahu has now spoken openly
    about Israel's bombing raid on a target in Syria earlier in the month. I
    wonder if you could tell us what the target was, whether you supported
    this bombing raid, and what do you think it does to change the dynamic
    in an already hot region, in terms of Syria and Iran and the dispute
    with Israel and whether the U.S. could be drawn into any of this?
        The President. I'm not going to comment on the matter. Would you
    like another question?
        Q. Did you support it?
        The President. I'm not going to comment on the matter.
        Q. Can you comment about your concerns that come out of it at all,
    about for the region?
        The President. No. Saying I'm not going to comment on the matter
    means I'm not going to comment on the matter. You're welcome to ask
    another question, if you'd like to, on a different subject.

    Iraq

        Q. I'll ask you about Iraq. Efforts to curtail the deployment of
    troops is an ongoing debate right now. One of the things you spoke about
    in your address last week had to do with impatience with the Iraqi
    Government. And you spoke about that, but not in much detail. How is
    that dynamic changing, your level of frustration with the lack of
    political progress? And how long can Americans reasonably expect you to
    wait before you take some kind of action that really forces the Iraqi
    Government's hand to reach the goals of reconciliation that you set for
    them?
        The President. In my speech, I made it clear that there has to be a
    change in security for there to be reconciliation. And I also said that
    progress will yield fewer troops. In other words, return on success is
    what I said.
        There are two types of reconciliation, David. One is that
    reconciliation, that very visible reconciliation that happens through
    the passage of law. In other words, it's reconciliation that shows the
    Iraqi people that people from different backgrounds can get along and,
    at the same time, that Government can function. Clearly, there needs to
    be work there. In other words, there needs to be the passage of law. For
    example, we strongly believe that an oil revenue sharing law will send a
    message to Sunni, Shi'a, and Kurd alike that there is an effort at the
    national level to achieve reconciliation.
        Having said that, however, there is a functioning government. And
    the reason I

    [[Page 1216]]

    bring--I guess my point is this, that in spite of the fact they haven't
    passed a law, there is the sharing of oil revenues on a relatively
    equitable basis. The other--and so we'll continue to work with the
    Government to insist and impress upon them the need for there to be the
    passage of law, whether it be Provincial election laws or de-
    Ba'athification law or the oil law.
        There is local reconciliation taking place. I had a fascinating
    conversation in the Roosevelt Room earlier this week with members of
    Provincial Reconstruction Teams from around Iraq, who talked about how
    people are sick and tired of murder and violence and that they expect
    their local governments and their central Government to be more
    responsive to their needs. And local governments are beginning to
    respond.
        Part of the reason why there is not this kind of instant democracy
    in Iraq is because people are still recovering from Saddam Hussein's
    brutal rule. I thought an interesting comment was made when somebody
    said to me--I heard somebody say, where's Mandela? Well, Mandela is dead because Saddam Hussein
    killed all the Mandelas. He was a brutal tyrant that divided people up
    and split families, and people are recovering from this. So there's a
    psychological recovery that is taking place. And it's hard work for
    them. And I understand it's hard work for them. Having said that, I'm
    not going to give them a pass when it comes to the central Government's
    reconciliation efforts.
        I also said in my speech, local politics will drive national
    politics. And I believe that. I believe that as more reconciliation
    takes place at the local level, you'll see a more responsive central
    Government.
        Yes. Axelrod [Jim Axelrod, CBS News].

    Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates/Iraq

        Q. Thank you, Mr. President. Your Defense Secretary, Robert Gates,
    was recently asked by New York Times columnist David Brooks if knowing
    what he knows now, invading Iraq was a good idea. And I believe your
    Defense Secretary answered, ``I don't know.'' Does that represent
    daylight with you? Is that second-guessing? Have you spoken to the
    Defense Secretary? And does that change your mind at all?
        The President. I think he made it pretty clear the removal of
    Saddam--I don't know about this column, but I know his previous
    statements, he said getting rid of Saddam Hussein was the right
    decision. But I haven't talked to him about the column. If I had to ask
    everybody in my Government to respond to columns and news stories,
    that's all I'd be doing, is talking to people in my Government.
        I am absolutely convinced Secretary Gates knows that removing Saddam
    was the right thing, and I'm absolutely convinced he believes we will
    succeed in Iraq. And so I've got a lot of trust in the man. He's doing a
    fine job as the Secretary.
        Martha [Martha Raddatz, ABC News].

    Israel and Syria

        Q. You won't comment on what the Israelis may or may not have done--
    --
        The President. That's an accurate statement. I hope you got that
    from my answer. Now you're afraid--yes, of course, now Gregory is
    worried I'm actually going to comment, see.
        Q. That's what I'm hoping.
        The President. Well, I'm not going to, so you might want to go to
    another subject.

    North Korea

        Q. I know you won't comment on that. But let's talk about whether or
    not you believe that North Korea is aiding Syria with a nuclear program.
        The President. We have made it clear and will continue to make it
    clear to the North Koreans through the six-party talks

    [[Page 1217]]

    that we expect them to honor their commitment to give up weapons and
    weapons programs. And to the extent that they are proliferating, we
    expect them to stop that proliferation, if they want the six-party talks
    to be successful.
        In other words, whether it be the exportation of information and/or
    materials is an important part--it doesn't matter to us whether they
    do--in terms of the six-party talks, because they're both equally
    important, I guess is the best way to say it. In other words, we want--
    it does matter whether--let me rephrase that--it matters whether they
    are, but the concept of proliferation is equally important as getting
    rid of programs and weapons.
        Q. So you believe they are aiding Syria?
        The President. It's a general statement that we expect them not to
    be proliferating.

    Race Relations/Situation in Jena, Louisiana

        Q. Mr. President, thousands of people are marching today in Jena,
    Louisiana, in a racially charged case involving six black students for
    beating a white student. Also, not far from the White House recently,
    there was a noose that was found hanging from a tree at a college
    campus. You have worked very hard to bring blacks and Hispanics into
    your party, but the fallout from the immigration debate and even some
    Republican Presidential candidates' refusal to go to debates at
    Univision as well as Morgan State calls into question whether or not the
    state of race relations is deteriorating in this country and
    specifically in your party. Your thoughts?
        The President. My advice to whoever will be our nominee is to reach
    out to the African American community as well as other communities,
    because I believe that we've got a very strong record when it comes to
    empowerment, when it comes to education or homeownership or small-
    business formation.
        The events in Louisiana are--have saddened me. I understand the
    emotions. The Justice Department and the FBI are monitoring the
    situation down there, and all of us in America want there to be fairness
    when it comes to justice. We've got a good record to run on, and my
    advice to our candidate would be to run on it.
        Q. Do you think this is a defining moment in race relations?

    President Ahmadi-nejad of Iran's
    Upcoming Visit to New York City

        Q. Mr. President, Iran's President, Ahmadi-nejad, says he wants to
    go to Ground Zero and place a wreath there. There is some objection to
    that in New York. What are your thoughts?
        The President. My thoughts are that the local police will make the
    proper decision and that if they decide for him not to go--like it looks
    like they have--I can understand why they would not want somebody who is
    running a country who is a state sponsor of terror down there at the
    site.
        Roger [Roger Runningen, Bloomberg News].

    National Economy/Federal Budget

        Q. Mr. President, back to the economy for a moment. The Fed took its
    half-point rate cut the other day. Do you think that was enough to stave
    off recession? And if not, are there other steps you're prepared to do
    financially?
        The President. Roger, I do not comment on the decisions made by the
    Fed. I will comment on Ben Bernanke; I think
    he's doing a fine job. The White House and the Congress are responsible
    for fiscal policy. The worst decision the Congress could make would be
    to raise taxes during this period. We don't need to raise taxes in order
    to fund budget priorities. We have submitted a budget that shows we can
    get to balance by 2012 without raising taxes, and its one of the reasons
    I feel so strongly about--that's why I'm not going to let the taxes be
    raised.
        Fletch [Michael Fletcher, Washington Post].

    [[Page 1218]]

    Situation in Jena, Louisiana

        Q. What do you say to those who criticize you for not speaking out
    on the situation in Louisiana, particularly given your passionate
    remarks after Hurricane Katrina about race? People say you've fallen
    silent on this.
        The President. As you know, this is an ongoing trial; there's
    litigation taking place. I feel strongly that there ought to be fair
    justice. And I just spoke out on it.

    National Economy/Social Security Reform

        Q. Mr. President, former Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld recently was
    asked if he missed you. He said, no. [Laughter]
        The President. Wait a minute. I miss him.
        Q. Alan Greenspan has come out with a book, a recent book,
    criticizing you for being fiscally irresponsible. And they're not the
    first former Government officials to come out and be critical of you.
    And I'm wondering two things. First, do you feel betrayed by some of
    these people who have served you and then have come out and criticized
    you? And then, more particularly, can you respond to Greenspan's
    criticism?
        The President. My feelings are not hurt. You might have been a
    little selective in quoting Donald Rumsfeld, which I know you didn't mean to be, you know. I respect
    Secretary Rumsfeld; I believe he did a fine job. And I respect Alan
    Greenspan. I respectfully disagree with Alan
    Greenspan when it comes to saying that this administration didn't handle
    the fiscal issues we faced in good fashion. As a matter of fact, we did.
        The deficit, as a percent of GDP, is low. It's lower than the 30-
    year average. We have submitted a plan to balance the budget. We dealt
    with a recession, a terrorist attack, and corporate scandals. And we did
    it by cutting taxes. The tax cuts worked. The economy recovered. People
    are working. Interest rates are low.
        I'm a supply-sider. I believe supply-side economics, when properly
    instituted, enables us to achieve certain objectives. One, there's
    people finding work, and there's hope in the economy. Two, that supply-
    side economics yields additional tax revenues. And if we're smart about
    how we manage the fiscal budget, it leads to balance, and that's what we
    have done. We are fighting a war at the same time that we're headed
    toward balance. In other words, we're making sure our troops get the
    money they need and veterans get the benefits they need.
        The former Chairman Greenspan and I spent
    a lot of time talking about the unfunded liabilities inherent in Social
    Security and Medicare. And he's concerned about those unfunded
    liabilities, as am I. And that's why I went in front of the Congress, in
    more than one occasion, talking about how to reform Social Security so
    that young people who are working aren't paying payroll taxes into a
    system that's going broke.
        I'm not going to give up on entitlement reform, but it can require
    part--members of both parties to recognize we have a problem that ought
    to be solved now. It's time to--I thought it was time to come together a
    couple of years ago, and that wasn't the political will in Congress. And
    I'm not so sure we're going to find it now, but I'm going to keep trying
    because, like the Chairman, I understand that
    the biggest issue we've got with the deficit are those deficits inherent
    in these entitlement programs.
        John [John McKinnon, Wall Street Journal].

    Government of Dubai and NASDAQ Stock Market/Trade/U.S. Foreign Policy

        Q. Mr. President, there's a deal taking shape this morning where the
    Government of Dubai would buy a share of--a stake in the NASDAQ stock
    market. And there is some concern being expressed on Capitol Hill about
    this. It's another deal involving, you know, people overseas that we
    might not trust. What's your reaction to it? And

    [[Page 1219]]

    also, what's your level of concern about protectionism in general?
        The President. My reaction is, is that we have a reform process in
    place that will be able to deal with this issue. In other words, we're
    going to take a good look at it as to whether or not it has any national
    security implications involved in the transaction. And I'm comfortable
    that the process will go forward.
        John, I'm also--I am concerned about protectionism. I'm concerned
    about it because if the United States loses its confidence when it comes
    to trading, it will make it less likely our economy would grow. And I
    just told you, one of the underpinnings of our support is the fact that
    exports--for economic vitality--is the fact that exports are up, and
    workers benefit when we're selling products overseas. And I believe
    these free trade agreements will be an interesting test of
    protectionism, whether protectionism is real.
        We've got four trade agreements that we've negotiated that we want
    to get passed, and there's going to be some crucial votes coming up here
    pretty soon in the Congress. And we'll work hard to get all four trade
    agreements through. And if they don't get through, it is a sign that the
    protectionists are beginning to be on the ascendancy here in Washington,
    DC, and that would be a mistake. And for people who are deeply concerned
    about poverty around the world like I am, the best way to help lift
    people out of poverty is through free trade agreements. And that's why
    we're dedicated to the Doha round that is--that Secretary Schwab is so actively engaged in--not Secretary Schwab,
    trade negotiator Schwab. And we're committed to reach an accord with
    these nations so that--because trade helps poor people realize a better
    life. And it's a proven fact.
        I'm also worried about isolationism. Isolationism tends to run hand
    in hand with protectionism. You'll find isolationists are those who say
    it's not our business what happens overseas, it doesn't matter if
    there's a free society in the heart of the Middle East, as far as our
    long-term security and peace. I just strongly reject that. I think it
    does matter a lot that the United States is working with other nations
    to promote liberty and freedom because I believe liberty is a change
    agent. Liberty can help hostile parts of the world become peaceful parts
    of the world.
        You know, our strategy in dealing with these extremists who still
    want to attack us is on the one hand, chase them and find them and bring
    them to justice, and on the other hand, help change the conditions that
    caused 19 kids to get on airplanes and come and kill nearly 3,000
    citizens on our soil. The best way to do that is to be active with
    foreign policy. It's not to lose faith in values, but to actively
    promote universal values. And isolationists would say, it's not worth
    it, doesn't matter to the United States of America. Well, I think it
    does matter, and I think it matters a lot.
        Herman [Ken Herman, Cox News], have you got a question?

    2008 Presidential Elections

        Q. Yes, sir, thank you.
        The President. You're welcome.
        Q. Mr. President, for Republicans seeking election next year are you
    an asset or a liability?
        The President. Strong asset. [Laughter] Ann [Ann Compton, ABC News].
        Q. Can I follow?
        The President. No. [Laughter] I knew I made a mistake calling on you
    in the first place. [Laughter]
        Q. He's known you a long time.
        The President. Yes, he has.
        Q. And you got an MBA?
        The President. The problem is, I called him, and I've known him for
    a long time.
        Q. So you knew what you were getting into. [Laughter]
        The President. Yes. Look, candidates who go out and say that the
    United States is vulnerable to attack and we're going to make sure our
    professionals have the tools

    [[Page 1220]]

    necessary to protect us are going to do well. Candidates who go out and
    say that helping these Iraqis realize the benefits of democracy are
    going to do well. Candidates who go out and say that it's very important
    for the United States to have clear principles when it comes to foreign
    policy, they'll do well. Candidates who say, we're not going to raise
    your taxes will do well.
        Ann.

    Taxes/SCHIP Legislation

        Q. Quick follow, if I may, Mr. President? [Laughter]
        The President. No, you may not. [Laughter]
        Q. Mr. President, back to your grade point average on holding the
    line on taxes----
        The President. Whew, I thought you were going to talk about the
    actual grade point average. [Laughter] I remind people that, like when
    I'm with Condi, I say, she's the Ph.D., and
    I'm the C student. And just look at who's the President and who's the
    adviser. But go ahead. [Laughter]
        Q. If there is a tax increase on cigarettes to fund the SCHIP
    program, is that a tax increase you oppose?
        The President. It does. We don't need to raise taxes. What I want is
    the Congress to be focused on making sure poor children get the health
    insurance they were promised. Instead, Congress has made a decision to
    expand the eligibility up to $80,000. That's not the intent of the
    program. The program was, find poor children and help them with health
    insurance. Their vision is, expand the eligibility so that people making
    up to 80 will be eligible for this program. I believe this is a step
    toward federalization of health care. I know that their proposal is
    beyond the scope of the program, and that's why I'm going to veto the
    bill.
        Let's see, Mark [Mark Smith, Associated Press Radio].

    Iraq/War on Terror

        Q. Mr. President, in January, when you announced your troop surge,
    you said that its goal was to get all 18 Iraqi Provinces, the security
    for those Provinces into Iraqi hands by November of this year. The
    Pentagon, pardon me, is now telling Congress that's not going to happen
    until July at the earliest. Have the goalposts shifted once more?
        The President. No, the goals are the same; achieving those goals
    have been slower than we thought. And the question is, one, whether or
    not it's worth it to try to achieve the goals. I believe it's worth it
    for the security of the country. And the reason why I believe it's for
    the security of the country is that if we were to leave before the job
    was done, extremist groups like Al Qaida would be able to gain safe
    haven. That's what they've said they want. They believe we won't have
    the will to hang in there and help this Iraqi Government succeed. And
    they want us out.
        And so the goals of helping Iraqis provide their own securities
    remain the same, and the goals are important toward achieving our
    objective, and our objective is important for the security of the
    country. I also believe that a democracy in the heart of the Middle East
    will be a major blow to extremists or radicals wherever they live in the
    Middle East. And just yesterday we saw an attack on an anti-Syrian/pro-
    Lebanese democracy advocate. Now, I don't
    know who did that, but I do know it is typical of this war we're
    fighting in, when extremists kill innocent people in order to undermine
    democracies.
        One of the things I feel passionately about is for the United States
    to recognize what a Middle East would be like if terrorists and
    extremists were--would have safe haven and were emboldened by a U.S.
    defeat. And that's why I'm--one, I believe we can succeed, and two, I
    know we got to succeed--and therefore, have listened

    [[Page 1221]]

    carefully to our commanders and our diplomats as to whether or not they
    think we can succeed, and if so, what do they need to do it. And that's
    what I talked to the country about.
        And so, Mark, yes, the goals are the same. And have we achieved them
    as fast? No, we haven't. But however, having not achieved them doesn't
    mean we ought to quit. It means we ought to work hard to achieve the
    goals, because the end result is the same, whether the goal is done in
    November or in July, and that is a country that can govern itself,
    sustain itself, and defend itself and is an ally against these
    extremists and radicals; a country which will deny safe haven to the
    folks who have sworn allegiance to the crowd that attacked us on
    September the 11th.
        A couple of more, and then I'm going to let Leavitt come up here.

    Blackwater USA Incident in Iraq

        Q. A followup, sir?
        The President. Yes, please.
        Q. Thank you. You said earlier that people in Iraq are sick and
    tired of the violence. To what extent has the recent Blackwater incident
    frayed your relations with Prime Minister Maliki and his Government? And
    why are outfits like Blackwater above the law in Iraq?
        The President. First of all, I have yet to speak to the Prime
    Minister about this subject. I'll see him in
    New York next week at the U.N.; I'm confident he'll bring it up. I also
    appreciate the fact that he's willing to work with the U.S. Government
    to set up a commission to find out what actually happened. The folks
    like Blackwater who provide security for the State Department are under
    rules of engagement. In other words, they have certain rules. And this
    commission will determine whether or not they violated those rules. And
    I'm looking forward to finding out what the results are.
        Q. Any regrets about that incident and the fact that there were----
        The President. Well, let's find out what the facts are first.
    Obviously, to the extent that innocent life was lost, you know, I'm
    saddened. Our objective is to protect innocent life. And we've got a lot
    of brave souls in the theater working hard to protect innocent life. And
    evidently, some innocent lives were lost. My thoughts and prayers go out
    to the families. I want to find out the facts about exactly what took
    place there in the theater, and that's exactly what we're about to find
    out.
        A couple of more here. Wolffe [Richard Wolffe, Newsweek].

    Oil Revenue Sharing in Iraq

        Q. Thank you, sir.
        The President. You looked asleep back there; that's why I was
    calling on you.
        Q. You recently spoke just earlier about the importance of oil
    revenue sharing in Iraq. Recently, a company called Hunt Oil, run by one
    of your long-time supporters, Ray Hunt, signed a deal with a Kurdish
    regional government to drill for oil up there. That deal has come under
    intense criticism from the national Government in Baghdad. They say it
    undermines the discussions about oil legislation. What's your opinion of
    that kind of deal and how it impacts this long-stalled legislation?
        The President. Our Embassy also expressed concern about it. I knew
    nothing about the deal. I need to know exactly how it happened. To the
    extent that it does undermine the ability for the Government to come up
    with an oil revenue sharing plan that unifies the country, obviously, if
    it undermines it, I'm concerned.
        Yes.

    General David H. Petraeus

        Q. Mr. President, thank you.
        The President. Big Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News], he's
    back.
        Q. What is your reaction to the MoveOn.org ad that mocked General
    Petraeus as General ``Betray Us'' and said that he cooked the books on
    Iraq? And

    [[Page 1222]]

    secondly, would you like to see Democrats, including Presidential
    candidates, repudiate that ad?
        The President. I thought the ad was disgusting, and I felt like the
    ad was an attack not only on General Petraeus but on the U.S. military.
    And I was disappointed that not more leaders in the Democrat Party spoke
    out strongly against that kind of ad. And that leads me to come to this
    conclusion: that most Democrats are afraid of irritating a left-wing
    group like MoveOn.org--or more afraid of irritating them than they are
    of irritating the United States military. That was a sorry deal. And
    it's one thing to attack me; it's another thing to attack somebody like
    General Petraeus.
        All right. Leavitt is going to answer
    some questions, if you have any for him. Make sure they're--tone them
    down a little bit; this is his first time in here. Martha, you and
    Gregory be polite on him. Thank you for your time.
        Michael.

    Note: The President's news conference began at 10:46 a.m. in the James
    S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. In his remarks, he
    referred to former President Nelson R. Mandela of South Africa; former
    Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan; Parliament Member
    Antoine Ghanem of Lebanon, who was assassinated in Lebanon on September
    19; Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki of Iraq; and Gen. David H. Petraeus,
    USA, commanding general, Multi-National Force--Iraq. A reporter referred
    to Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Bernard Kouchner of France.