[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 18 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Pages 514-515]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln

May 1, 2003

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

    The President. ----No, it was not me.
    Q. [Inaudible]--land it?
    The President. Not my first time on a carrier.
    Q. How was your----
    The President. Really exciting. I miss flying, I can tell you that. 
This is a formal press

[[Page 515]]

conference that you're now conducting. This counts.
    Q. Not when we're dressed like this, it doesn't. [Laughter]
    The President. That's right.
    Q. Mr. President, when you were flying the plane, what did you do? 
Did you steer it?
    The President. Just steer it.
    Q. Did you go straight, or did you turn it?
    The President. Straight.
    Q. How did you do? Did you waver?
    The President. Ask the pilot.
    Q. He won't tell.
    Q. How does it compare to the jets you used to fly?
    The President. Huh?
    Q. How does that compare to the jets you used to fly?
    The President. Much more sophisticated.
    Q. What's it been like here on the ship?
    The President. Huh?
    Q. What have you been doing on the ship?
    The President. I've mainly been talking to the troops.
    Naval Officer. Here they come, sir.

[At this point, a squadron of Navy fighter jets flew over.]

    The President. The press conference is over.

Note: The exchange began at approximately 2:10 p.m. on the ship's 
navigation deck. 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.