[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 12 (Monday, March 24, 1997)]
[Pages 376-377]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters on Arrival at the White House

March 16, 1997

Recovery From Knee Surgery

    Q. How are you feeling, sir?
    Q. Good morning, Mr. President. How are you feeling, sir?
    The President. I feel fine today. I was a little sore yesterday, you 
know, the first day after the operation when the pain started to wear 
off--I mean, the painkiller, you know, the anesthesia. But I feel fine 
today, and I've done 2 days of therapy, learned to use my crutches.
    Hillary wanted me to come home before she left for Africa. She and 
Chelsea wanted me well settled, so that's what I'm doing.
    Q. Is that going to be difficult for you, to use crutches for the 
next few months?
    The President. I just want to do it well. It will be an interesting 
experience. I just want to be careful and not make any mistakes and do 
it well. But I think I'll be perfectly mobile and perfectly fine.
    I also want to say that the medical team I had at the Bethesda Naval 
Medical Center did a magnificent job. They really were wonderful, and I 
feel very fortunate. And the American people should know that that 
military medical center is a very good place, not just for the President 
but for everybody who is treated there.
    Q. Did they have to twist your arm to get you to delay the trip to 
Helsinki for a day?
    The First Lady. No twisting of arms--or any other limb. [Laughter]
    The President. No, because I can go back to Copenhagen and do that 
probably when we do the NATO meeting.
    Q. Sir, does it hurt every time you move?
    The President. No.
    Q. It doesn't?
    The President. No. You just have to learn to use a few different 
muscles. But it's quite interesting. I mean, it will be a learning 
experience. It's like going back to school and learning some new things.
    Q. Do you think this will get you any sympathy votes in Congress for 
any of your bills? [Laughter]
    The President. I don't know, but if it does, I'll take them any way 
I can get them. [Laughter] I'd be very grateful if it did.
    Q. Glad to have him home, Mrs. Clinton?
    The First Lady. Yes, I'm very glad to have him home.
    The President. Goodbye.

Note: The President spoke at 11:46 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.

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