[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 33 (Monday, August 19, 1996)]
[Pages 1448-1450]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters in Jackson Hole

August 14, 1996

``Between Hope and History: Meeting America's Challenges for the 21st 
Century''

[The President's remarks are joined in progress.]

[[Page 1449]]

    The President. ----basically my philosophy about where I think 
America is and where I think we ought to go.
    Q. Would you describe it as a manifesto for the next administration 
if you get reelected?
    The President. Well, it's not an exclusive list of all the things I 
intend to do, but it makes the argument about why I think the direction 
we're going is right, why we're better off than we were, and what I hope 
we'll do. And it's just something I've been wanting to say. I finished 
it the first 2 days we got here, and I hope the people who read it will 
find it helpful. I was glad to do it.
    It's beautiful, isn't it?
    Q. Have you been getting enough relaxation? Are you feeling rested, 
sir?
    The President. More rested now. The first 2 days I worked real hard 
trying to finish the book, and, you know, a lot of things happened the 
last 2 months which kind of got me behind deadlines. So I worked pretty 
hard on that. But yesterday I got to play a little golf, and of course, 
we had that wonderful hike the day before.
    Q. When did you decide to write the book, sir?
    The President. About a year ago.
    Q. Guys, move to the right, move a step to the right.
    The President. Yes, I don't want anybody to get hurt here.
    Q. Is Senator Dole in the book, sir?
    The President. It's basically a book about the country.

Republican Convention

    Q. Do you care to comment at all about the choice of Jack Kemp for 
the Republican Vice Presidential nomination?
    The President. No, I'm going to leave them alone, let them have 
their convention. I like Al Gore; that's my comment. [Laughter] The best 
Vice President in history.

Democratic Convention

    Q. What can you say about the train ride you're going to take to the 
convention, sir?
    The President. I'm excited about it. We're trying to--I think they 
probably finalized all the routes now, and I love trains, so I'm excited 
about it. I didn't know--the main thing I was concerned about is if we 
did it I just didn't want to inconvenience people because of the 
security and everything. And I think we've got it--I've got a route now 
where, apparently, there will be a minimum of dislocation.

President's Vacation

    Q. You love trains, but do you love horses?
    The President. I love horses.
    Q. What's the horse's name?
    The President. Wink. This is Wink, and that's Patches.
    Q. You look like you've lost some weight. Have you dropped a few 
pounds?
    The President. A little bit I think. I'm almost--I dropped 15 or 20 
pounds I guess since--in the last year or so. Got to be in shape, you 
know. This is a rigorous endeavor.
    Q. I found that out the other day. [Laughter]
    The President. Well, that was tough. I was very sore yesterday. I 
don't know if you were, but I was pretty sore.
    Q. I still am, sir.
    The President. I found out when I was on that golf course that my 
rhythm wasn't quite there anymore. [Laughter] Whew, it was bad after a 
while. [Laughter]
    Q. Have fun.
    The President. Thank you. I'm glad to see--how are you feeling?
    Q. I'm good, Mr. President. Little sore. Hope you're having a good 
time.
    The President. Well, I really didn't--when I took you all off on 
that wild goose chase I didn't know it was going to be quite as 
demanding as it was. But I'm glad we did it.
    Q. Well, I'm just not in shape. It's my fault.
    The President. Well, now, it takes a few days to get adjusted to the 
atmosphere, you know, once you're--the higher altitude.
    Q. Well, we carry a little bit of stuff.
    The President. Yes, and I see--we weren't carrying all that. I don't 
know how you all did that. Somebody made it all through with a huge 
camera.
    Q. Hank Brown, ABC.
    The President. We ought to give him some kind of medal. He's in 
great shape. [Laughter]
    Marlene, how are you doing?

[[Page 1450]]

    Ms. Marlene MacDonald. I'm good. How are you? You look great.
    The President. I'm doing great.
    Q. That's a great hat.
    The President. Yes, I've had this old hat a long time. And my old 
boots.
    Q. Is it a Stetson?
    The President. I got these boots about, oh, 8 years ago--7, 8 years 
ago, in Salem, Arkansas, Fulton County. I went out to help them--it was 
a little town of 1,000 people, and they got one of our economic 
development airport grants. And they gave me these boots.
    Q. What are they made of, sir?
    The President. Snakeskin.
    Q. Are you relaxed?
    The President. Yes, I love it here. I love it here. I love it. I'm 
glad we got out for a ride.
    Q. I'm glad we got a picture. [Laughter]
    The President. Well, yes. I was sort of derelict today, I decided 
I'd sleep in and kind of laze around. So we've just been fooling around 
at home.
    Good to see you.

Note: The President spoke at approximately 5 p.m. at the Bar B Bar 
Ranch. In his remarks, he spoke to Marlene A. MacDonald, Office Manager, 
Lower Press Office, the White House. The press release issued by the 
Office of the Press Secretary did not include the complete opening 
remarks of the President. A tape was not available for verification of 
the content of this exchange.