[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 33 (Monday, August 19, 2002)]
[Pages 1335-1336]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters in Waco, Texas

August 10, 2002

Iraq/President's Economic Forum

    The President. Anybody got anything?
    Q. Do you, sir?
    The President. Well, I do. I'm in close consultations with my senior 
staff on a variety of subjects. As I said yesterday, I have no timetable 
for any of our policies as regards to Iraq. That--yesterday I spent time 
with my principal advisers on that subject, as well as others.
    I am pleased with the reports about the productivity of American 
workers. I thought that was a continuing signal that our economy grows 
and strengthens. Next week I'll be having an economic summit that--we'll 
discuss ways that we can further job growth.
    So, anyway, I'll be spending some time on subjects that might 
interest you all.
    Q. Mr. President, yesterday in an interview I guess with Scott, you 
described Iraq as the enemy.
    The President. I described them as the axis of evil once. I 
described them as an enemy until proven otherwise. They obviously, you 
know, desire weapons of mass destruction. I presume that he still views 
us as an enemy. I have constantly said that we owe it to our children 
and our children's children to free the world from weapons of mass 
destruction in the hands of those who hate freedom. This is a man who 
has poisoned his own people. I mean, he's had a history of tyranny.
    Q. I'm sorry, if I could follow up. Are you surprised that you 
haven't been able to build more support within the region and within 
Europe for taking action?
    The President. Well, Stretch [Richard Keil, Bloomberg News], I think 
most people understand he is a danger. But as I've said in speech after 
speech, I've got a lot of tools at my disposal. And I've also said I am 
a deliberate person. And so I'm--we're in the process of consulting not 
only with Congress, like I said I do the other day, but with our friends 
and allies. And the consultation process is a positive part of really 
allowing people to fully understand our deep concerns about this man, 
his regime, and his desires to have weapons of mass destruction.
    Last question, and then I've got to go chip and putt for a birdie. 
[Laughter] It was a good drive.
    Q. It looked kind of right.

Iraq

    Q. Do you think the American people are prepared for casualties in 
Iraq?
    The President. Well, I think that that presumes there's some kind of 
imminent war plan. As I said, I have no timetable. What I do believe the 
American people understand is that weapons of mass destruction in the 
hands of leaders such as Saddam Hussein are very dangerous for 
ourselves, our allies. They understand the concept of blackmail. They 
know that when we speak of making the world more safe, we do so not only 
in the context of Al Qaida and other terrorist groups but nations that 
have proven themselves to be bad neighbors and bad actors.
    Thank you. Have fun today.

[At this point, the President continued his round of golf.]

    The President. I'm having a lot of fun. It's good to be back here 
with my friends in Texas, including Senator Sibley, a fine lad.
    Former State Senator David Sibley. A young man. [Laughter]
    The President. We're just talking about the old days, what it's like 
to be in a legislative environment where Republicans and Democrats can 
get together to do what's right; what it's like to be in a legislative 
environment where people decide to do what's

[[Page 1336]]

best for a--something greater than themselves as opposed to what's best 
for a political party.

Pension Reform/Judicial Nominee Priscilla Owen

    Q. Think you'll be able to do that in Washington with pension 
reform?
    The President. I hope so, on all issues. My call is that Republicans 
and Democrats need to work together--like on homeland security, on 
terrorism insurance, on pension reform. There's too much politics in 
Washington.
    Senator Sibley. I don't remember anybody ever busting a judge.
    The President. Yes, busting judges, as he mentioned. There's too 
much politics.
    Senator Sibley. It never happens.
    The President. Of course, he's talking about a fine Texas woman 
named Priscilla Owen, who's being busted for political reasons. She's 
been elected statewide here in Texas. People know here and trust her 
judgment. And yet, they're playing politics with her. Thank you for 
remembering that.
    Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon.

Note: The exchange began at 7:19 a.m. during a round of golf at the 
Ridgewood Country Club. During the exchange, the President referred to 
President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; and Texas Supreme Court Justice 
Priscilla Owen, nominee to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit. 
A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
exchange.