[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 7 (Monday, February 22, 1993)]
[Pages 209-210]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Democratic Congressional 
Leaders

 February 16, 1993

Economic Program

    Q. Mr. President, do you think you can get Ross Perot to at least 
not criticize this economic plan?
    The President. I don't know----
    Q. Have you been in touch with him or anybody on your staff been in 
touch with him to try to get him on board?
    Q. Do they treat you like this all the time?
    The President. Tomorrow night, all the time. [Laughter] All the 
time.
    Q. What a job. [Laughter]
    Q. Mr. President, what----
    The President. ----budget practices--it's truth in budgeting, truth 
in budgeting.

[[Page 210]]

We're using objective numbers, the most conservative revenue estimates. 
It'll be the most candid budget Congress has received in a long time. 
And I think there will be a lot of people who understand it and will 
respond very positively to it.
    Q. Well, the markets are down sharply this morning. Do you think 
that's an immediate reaction to your----
    The President. No. Look, the bond market's a better indicator, 
because they--and that response has been very positive. And I think when 
the business community, those people who come in here from the business 
community who actually know pretty well what's in this program, have 
responded very positively to it. So I wouldn't say that.
    The Press. Thank you.

Note: The exchange began at 11:25 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House.