    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [January 22, 2008]
    [Pages 101-102]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    January 22, 2008

        I want to thank the leaders for coming. I initially intended to
    brief the leaders of the House and the Senate on my trip to the Middle
    East, and I intend to do so. But we're going to spend some time talking
    about this economy and the need for us to find common ground for an
    effective progrowth economic package. We had a good call last Thursday,
    and I want to thank the Speaker and the
    leader and other Members. And Secretary
    Paulson had a good meeting today.
        I believe we can find common ground to get something done that's big
    enough and effective enough so that an economy that is inherently strong
    gets a boost to make sure that this uncertainty doesn't translate into
    more economic woes for our workers and small-business people.
        And so I really want to thank you all for coming, and I'm looking
    forward to our discussions. And look, there's a--everybody wants to get
    something done quickly, but we want to make sure it gets done right and
    make sure that we're--everybody is realistic about a--the timetable.
    Legislative bodies don't move as--necessarily in an orderly, quick way.
    And therefore, these leaders are committed, and they want to get
    something done. But we want to make sure

    [[Page 102]]

    we're realistic about how fast that can possibly happen. And so when we
    say, ``as soon as possible,'' that means within the--obviously within
    the ability of these bodies to effectively do their jobs.
        So I have got reasonable expectations about how fast something can
    happen, but I also am optimistic that something will happen. And I
    appreciate very much the leadership being here today. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:43 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House.