(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele today announced his candidacy for the position of Chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Steele was clear in his reason for running by saying, “the Republican Party must present a vision for the future of America that relies on our conservative values and core principles. It is wrong to believe the voters have suddenly become liberal. They have just lost any sense of confidence that the Republican Party holds the answers to their problems. We must face the fact that our party has failed in recent years to live up to our own principles -- we have failed to be ‘solutions oriented’ in addressing the concerns of all Americans.”
Steele made his decision to run last weekend but delayed his public announcement until today so that he could call as many RNC members as possible to personally discuss the future of the Republican Party and to seek their support. “I have been working the phones for days now in an attempt to reach the leadership of our Party as quickly as possible,” Steele stated. He believes the future of the Party lies with the states and wanted to set the tone from the outset that he will place an emphasis on the members of the Committee to begin rebuilding.
“Having been a member of the RNC, as state chairman of the MD Republican Party from 2000 to 2002, as a County Chairman from 1994 to 2000; I know first-hand the RNC must truly be run as a federation of state parties in order to be effective.”
“I believe the leadership of our party must come from its grassroots because the members of the RNC are the best representation of what direction our party needs to take. The state chairmen, national committeewomen, and national committeemen are the party leaders who are closest to the voters – they know what the voters want – they talk to them everyday. I have walked a mile in their shoes; without them you become out of touch with the issues that are important to Main Street Americans.”
“I want Republicans to get back to winning elections, not just for the sake of winning, but for the sake of our Country’s future. Most Americans today see a Republican Party that defines itself by what it is against rather than what it is for. We can tell you why public schools aren’t working, but not articulate a compelling vision for how we’ll better educate children. We’re well equipped to rail against tax increases; but can’t begin to explain how we’ll help the poor. The success of our Party’s resurgence will come from the states -- from our local leaders and from our Governors.”
We must articulate a positive vision for America’s future that speaks to Americans’ hopes, concerns and needs. It’s time to stop defining ourselves by what we are not, and tell voters what we believe, how we’ll lead, and where we’ll go … how we Republicans will make America better … how we’ll make their families more prosperous, their children better educated, their parents more secure, and all of us healthier, safer, and stronger. That means we must articulate our vision in the local public square, on TV, on Radio, in the local newspapers, on the internet. With God’s help and the guidance of the men and women who give strength to our Republican National Committee, I am prepared to do just that.”
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Steele Announces Candidacy for RNC Chairman
Monday, February 4, 2008
'We Will Prevail in This Ideological Struggle,' Bush Says
By John J. Kruzel, American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2008 - The U.S. will prevail against extremism by protecting the homeland, staying "on the offense," and replacing hope with despair, President Bush predicted today.
During a speech at the Emerald at Queensridge venue in Las Vegas, Nev., Bush laid out a strategy for winning what he described as an ideological struggle between those who advocate the march of freedom and those favoring chaos through asymmetric war.
"We will prevail in this ideological struggle because liberty is powerful; liberty is hopeful," he said. "The enemy we face can only convince people to join their cause when they find hopelessness."
Describing the second tier of his plan, Bush advocated staying on a daily, relentless hunt "to find (extremists) and bring them to justice." He said conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq are not separate, but rather they're part of the same war on terrorism, which must be conducted with fervor.
"It's hard to plot, plan and attack America if you're running and hiding. It's hard to recruit if you're cutting off money. It is hard to spread your poison if other reasonable people join the cause," he said. "And so we spend a lot of time doing everything we can to keep the pressure on these folks, and we got some good people working it."
Before U.S. forces deployed to Afghanistan, Bush said, the Taliban-governed country presented a hopeless life for its residents.
"These thugs didn't believe in freedoms. They didn't believe in women having equal status. They didn't believe young girls should be educated," he said. "And if you dared express your opinion that didn't mesh with theirs, you'd be whipped in the public square or killed."
Bush said Operation Enduring Freedom liberated 25 million people and gave them a chance to realize the blessings of liberty. Since toppling the Taliban and routing al Qaeda from Afghanistan, he said, a safer Afghan populace has voted for a president and a parliament, girls are free to go to school, and highways and health centers are being constructed, Bush added.
"It's in our interest to help them because we believe that liberty is transformative, and a part of the world that was once a safe haven for an enemy to attack us will be a more hopeful place when freedom takes hold," he said.
On Iraq, the president said the decision to remove Saddam Hussein was correct and that the world is better off without him in power. Since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Bush said, Iraqis have written a constitution and participated in democratic elections.
In what he described as a surge by Iraqis, the country's citizens created 100,000 new soldiers and police in addition to 80,000 local citizens who volunteered to help patrol their own neighborhoods.
The original decision to begin military operations in Iraq was a tough one, based not "any Gallup poll or focus group," but on sound judgment from military people and "a lot of folks who were following Iraq."
"It was based upon what was right for the future of the United States, and that is, as opposed to pulling troops out, send more in," Bush told the audience.
Bush noted that the surge, which was initiated in early 2007, marked an influx of forces that included more than just members of the U.S. military. Diplomats and public service officials also surged, he said, improving life in areas where insurgents had been purged.
The president said pursuing enemies requires cooperation by all U.S. assets: sharing information across intelligence communities, applying muscle with military forces, and ratcheting up pressure from allies.
"America must not relent," he said. "If our most important job is to protect the American people, we have got to stay on the offense and defeat the enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here at home."
Bush conceded that there are cynics who doubt freedom's ability to take hold in parts of the world, but said he concluded that "liberty is transformative."
"People want to be free and, if given the chance, will be free, do the hard work necessary to be free. And liberty has got the capacity to transform an enemy to an ally," he said. "Therefore, we ought to have confidence in liberty's power to bring the peace we want, and not shy away from helping people realize the great blessings of freedom."
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Naval Reserve Association Presents Chambliss with National Legislative Advocacy Award
Executive Director Rear Admiral Casey Coane and Director of Legislation Captain Ike Puzon presented Chambliss with the award on behalf of the Naval Reserve Association. Once the bill becomes law, members of the Guard and Reserve will no longer be the only federal retirees required to wait until ago 60 to collect retirement pay.
“Members of our Guard and Reserve are called upon more and more, and they make tremendous sacrifices with respect to their family lives and civilian employment,” said Chambliss. “If we’re going to continue to call on our citizen soldiers we need to take action to show that we stand behind them and appreciate the tough challenges they face. I am concerned that those who would otherwise stay in until they reach 20 years of service are going to get out, particularly those who are experiencing repeat deployments.
“My bill creates an additional incentive for them to stay and continue serving until the 20 year point so that we can take advantage of their experience and appropriately compensate them for their service. While we didn’t get everything we wanted in this bill, I believe it is a good first step. I look forward to working with the Naval Reserve Association to strengthen this legislation and further address the critical issues facing our guardsmen and women, reservists, and their families,” said Chambliss, who noted that the original legislation included a provision to make the bill retroactive to September 11, 2001.
Rear Admiral Coane, said, “The Naval Reserve Association is deeply appreciative of Senator Chambliss’ support for this important piece of legislation. Our Association has long recognized the need to improve retirement for our Reservists in light of the sacrifices that they and their families are making.”
Background:
In February 2007, Senator Chambliss held a news conference in his Atlanta office to announce the legislation and was joined by Admiral Coane, as well as then Adjutant General of Georgia, Lt. Gen. David Poythress and Major General Terry Nesbitt, then Commander of the Georgia Army National Guard and Georgia’s Homeland Security Director, and who is now the Adjutant General of Georgia.
The Chambliss provision will reduce the age for receipt of retirement pay by three months (counting down from age 60) for every 90 days a Guard or Reserve member spends on active duty in support of a contingency operation. The bill will also include time spent on active service for purposes of responding to a national emergency declared by the president or supported by federal funds.
Additional provisions of the legislation include:
The maximum reduction would be age 50
Mobilization/deployment to the continental U.S. would apply as well as mobilization/deployment to a “contingency zone”
Volunteers would be covered, as well as those involuntarily activated
Herman Cain: "MY VOTE IS FOR MITT ROMNEY"
"Why I'm Voting For … Romney Has The Leadership Qualities United States Needs"
By Herman Cain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
February 3, 2008
"The dynamics of political party connections, the political process itself and public perceptions have once again yielded the top two contenders of each major party in the 2008 presidential race. And once again, the public can only hope that the ultimate winner of the White House will be a candidate with the most leadership substance.
"My vote is for Mitt Romney."
…
"Our success will not be based on pandering to uninformed voters, promising emotional quick fixes over common sense or nitpicking of opponents' past records. Success will come from focusing on the right problems and solving them. That will mean making tough decisions about some problems that have been with us for decades. It will also mean taking a tough stand on new problems and challenges.
"That's what leaders do.
"Mitt Romney has done that as a chief executive officer in business, as a governor and as head of the U.S. Olympics. He has done so while balancing political consequences but not compromising fundamental principles of the founding of this country or free-market economics. We have prospered as a nation by strengthening those principles; we will not remain strong if we allow those principles to become diluted with a lack of leadership."
…
"He has successfully managed a real business with other people's money and some of his own. He has balanced budgets. He successfully led a turnaround situation with the Olympics. And he has spent more of his career outside government than inside.
"On the other hand, John McCain has spent more of his career inside government than outside, and the reasons not to vote for him as the Republican nominee are very compelling."
…
"Mitt Romney's history is more indicative of the substance needed to make major progress on critical issues, and not just to make more politically palatable incremental changes in Washington." …
To read the full op-ed, please see: http://www.ajc.com
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Military Absentee Voting 'Primary' Concern for Federal Voting Assistance Program
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
For the Federal Voting Assistance Program, getting deployed troops and their families engaged in the current election season is a primary goal.
Ahead of the November general election, FVAP, which fosters voting participation by uniformed and U.S. citizens abroad, is assisting eligible absentee voters who wish to cast ballots in their states' primary election.
"It's important that voters participate in the upcoming primary elections," said Polli Brunelli, the program's chief. "We have over 20 primaries occurring in February, so now is the time, if you've received your ballot, to vote and get it back by the state deadlines."
During an interview yesterday, Brunelli said registering to vote is a simple process. "Absentee voters fill out a federal postcard application form to request a ballot, send it into their local election official where the voter is legally authorized to vote," she said. The ballot will be sent to the voter, who then votes on the ballot and sends it back to the local election office.
Paper copies of the application form are available at military installations, embassies and consulates and from organizations of overseas citizens. Electronic forms are posted online at the Federal Voting Assistance Program Web site, www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefwab.html.
Citizens using this form should vote and submit it immediately using regular mail or, where allowed by state law, by fax or e-mail, to their local election officials. The FVAP's Integrated Voting Alternative Site at www.fvap.gov/ivas/fvap_state_menu.html shows citizens if fax or e-mail alternatives are permitted in their home state.
Voting assistance officers are stationed at military installations abroad to help FVAP implement its program initiatives. Equipped with state-by-state voting assistance guides, the officers are available to assist servicemembers in navigating the registration process and election procedures, and inform voters of relevant deadlines, Brunelli noted.
FVAP carries out the responsibilities of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, which protects the voting rights of active-duty military members, Merchant Marines, eligible family members and citizens residing outside the United States.
Members of the U.S. armed forces traditionally represent an active component of overall voting-age Americans. The total voting participation rate among servicemembers was 79 percent in 2004, compared to the 64 percent rate of the general public, according to figures published by FVAP.
In a memorandum to military secretaries and top commanders sent Nov. 26, 2007, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates underscored the importance of extending voting rights to servicemembers at home and abroad.
"With the calendar of primary elections beginning early and stretching through September, 2008," Gates said, "it is important that the department and the services be prepared to carry out the voting assistance mission to inform and educate U.S. citizens of the right to vote, foster voting participation, and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
"Voting is a both a right and a responsibility of citizens in our country," Gates continued. "(Leaders of the armed services must) do everything we can to encourage participation and ensure that our servicemembers and families are able to exercise their right to vote and have that vote counted."
Related Sites: Federal Voting Assistance Program
Michelle Obama, Chelsea Clinton Attend Same Black Church Service
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Anyone looking to gauge the importance of blacks in the Democratic presidential primary next weekend only needed to visit one church service Sunday morning.
Michelle Obama and Chelsea Clinton were tucked among the hundreds of congregants at Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, clapping in unison with the choir during a more than two-hour gathering.
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/20/michelle-obama-chelsea-clinton-attend-same-black-church-service/
Oprah’s Web Site Flooded With Criticism for Her Support of Obama Over Clinton
Television talk show guru and women’s rights advocate Oprah Winfrey has been dubbed “traitor” by some of her online supporters for her decision to support Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton.
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/20/oprahs-web-site-flooded-with-criticism-for-her-support-of-obama-over-clinton/
States try to pull plug on 'robo-calls'
States are trying to disconnect computer-generated political calls that are flooding the nation's households at election time.
More than 5 million automated "robo-calls" have been made to potential voters in early primary states. The number of robo-calls could run into the hundreds of millions this election year as the political parties battle for control of the White House, Congress and state governments.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-01-17-robocall_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Pizza Hut® Airs First Presidential Get-Out-The-Vote Ad Aimed at Youth
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pizza Hut® is airing a new ad encouraging young Americans to get involved in the political process by voting for the next U.S. President. Pizza Hut is the first company in this Presidential election to remind Americans to vote with the tagline, “It’s your choice. Please vote.”
The new 30-second ad features two college students, one of whom is questioning whether he should vote in this year’s Presidential election. The other student stresses the importance of voting, and encourages the doubting student to let his voice be heard by voting, convincing him to cast his ballot. This is the first time in Pizza Hut’s 50-year history the company has run an ad to promote a public policy issue rather than promoting its pizza. The company’s new Pizza Mia $5 value pizza is shown in the ad as a product placement, but is never referenced or specifically promoted.
“Today's youth have the power to change history with their vote in this Presidential election. At a time when the number one issue in this election is the economy, we're using our new Pizza Mia ad to encourage everyone to vote and make sure their voice is heard,” said Scott Bergren, Pizza Hut president. Young voters, age 18-29, reportedly will account for up to 25% of the electorate in this Presidential election1. “There's something about pizza and politics - they just go hand-in-hand,” Bergren said.
The new ad is the second in a series of Pizza Hut’s Pizza Mia Presidential Election ads. It will run in the Presidential primary states of South Carolina and Nevada just before the primaries, and on national network television. The company’s first political ad, which debuted during the Iowa Caucuses and featured snippets of each of the Democratic and Republican Presidential
candidates appearing on a debate stage together to address concerns about the economy. It was the first time a company had used actual Presidential candidate snippets in a commercial ad, and was well-received by youth on blogs and social media sites.
Pizza Mia offers an economic solution for families feeling the financial pinch today, particularly under current economic conditions, by providing everyday value at just $5 with the purchase of three pizzas, or $6.99 for one pizza. It is the company’s most affordable, high-quality pizza, made with 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese and old world sauce from sweet vine-ripened tomatoes. Orders for Pizza Mia are accepted at local Pizza Hut restaurants and online at pizzahut.com for delivery or carry out.
CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro Takes on CNN’s Lou Dobbs and His Anti-Trade, Protectionist Positions
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumer Electronics Association (CEA®) President and CEO Gary Shapiro last night took on CNN’s Lou Dobbs and his anti-trade, protectionist positions during a live “debate” on the cable network’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight.”
“Everyone knows you are a protectionist – you want to close the borders,” said Shapiro. When Dobbs protested that he did not consider himself protectionist, Shapiro responded: “You may not be a protectionist, but you play one on TV.”
Pointing out that Dobbs often slants and fragments the facts on free trade, Shapiro established that trade supports jobs and economic growth by opening previously closed-off overseas markets. For instance:
While Dobbs claims that trade has resulted in the loss of three million jobs, he ignores the fact that over that same period 25 million good jobs were created.
While Dobbs rails against agreements such as NAFTA, he conveniently ignores that before NAFTA, the average unemployment rate was around 7 percent and in the 14 years since it has been about 5 percent.
While Dobbs frets over imports into this country he ignored the fact that $220 billion of high-tech products, which includes consumer electronics, were exported from this country, and that many of the companies that produced those products were small and medium-sized companies that are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. Moreover, he doesn’t even address that the percentage of exports from the United States to the world has gone up by 4,000 percent (1,000 percent in real terms) over the last 42 years.
When Dobbs belittled the jobs that have been created by the consumer electronics industry, he belittled the hard-working men and women who work for companies here in the United States that help spur the engine of the American economy – the very people he claims to be fighting for.
CEA is calling on Congress to approve pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. “What these agreements do, Lou, is the agreements allow us to get into other countries, that’s why it baffles me that you oppose them,” added Shapiro.
“Free trade is good for the country,” Shapiro told Dobbs. “And as much as you say you are a free trader, you don’t want free trade agreements, you oppose them every chance you get, and that’s not good for this country, Lou.”
Dobbs responded by saying that our trade deficit is growing out of control. Shapiro pointed out that oil imports contribute to that deficit and that our exports are going up. “Your answer is to put up a wall around the United States and that would help us how?”
Dobbs claimed he doesn’t want to put up a wall around the United States but instead insists on an equal trade balance with our principal trade partners. “You have an Economics degree from Harvard and you know that’s unprecedented and undoable and unlikely and would hurt the people of this country. Give me an example of when a protectionist policy like that has ever been successful,” requested Shapiro.
In its trade campaign, CEA has called on Congress to pursue a pro-growth trade policy that includes:
Aggressively pursuing bilateral trade agreements. In the absence of an agreement in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization, bilateral trade agreements offer the next best way to open foreign markets to U.S. small businesses. They create sales opportunities, reduce costs and diminish uncertainties. Through trade agreements we can implement intellectual property rights standards, establish substantive investment protections, and provide increased transparency to U.S. exporters.
Reauthorize trade promotion authority. Without trade promotion authority our trading partners will be reluctant to negotiate trade pacts with the United States. America’s hands will be tied, and the United States will fall behind other nations negotiating trade agreements at an unprecedented pace.
Eliminate non-tariff barriers. These non-tariff barriers hinder trade and burden small companies with unnecessary compliance costs. Examples of these barriers include: cumbersome customs regulations; corrupt government procurement processes; and most recently, a proliferation of divergent or non-harmonized approaches to environmental standards, among others.
Uphold and enforce trade agreements. In addition to pursuing new agreements, the United States must commit to maintaining and enforcing those agreements already in place. The United States must take an aggressive stance to protect products already covered by the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA). The ITA covers over 97 percent of the world trade in information technology products, and provides for the elimination of duties on those covered products. But as technology has evolved, many countries claim that the ITA does not apply to the next generation of covered products. It is crucial for the United States to uphold provisions of the ITA that allow for future developments of IT products and enable companies to enjoy the full scope of the agreements intended duty-free benefits.
For more information on the CEA trade initiative, please go to the CEA website at www.ce.org/freetrade.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Bill Richardson Drops Out of Democratic Presidential Race
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson ended his campaign for the presidency Wednesday after twin fourth-place finishes that showed his impressive credentials could not compete with his rivals’ star power.
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/09/ap-bill-richardson-drops-out-of-democratic-presidential-race/
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin Endorses Barack Obama
Today, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin endorsed Barack Obama for President, citing his unique ability to give voice to America's future and his ability to bring the American people together to bring change.
Mayor Franklin said, "Barack Obama is a dynamic, smart, and experienced leader who has demonstrated the capacity to bring people together across party, race and gender lines. He inspires me and has inspired so many others. As a leader I believe he can build consensus to bring Americans together over the issues we care most about like health care, the economy and foreign policy."
"I'm proud to have Mayor Franklin's support," said Senator Barack Obama. "As the first woman to hold this office in Atlanta and the first black woman to be mayor of a major city in the south, Mayor Franklin is a trailblazer. By breaking down these barriers and by working each day to strengthen Atlanta – and to strengthen Atlanta's families – Shirley is helping bring about the America we know in our hearts is possible. And I look forward to fighting side-by-side with her in the months and years to come."
Shirley Franklin has served as Mayor of Atlanta since 2002, being the first female mayor of Atlanta and the first African American woman to serve as mayor of any major Southern city.
Secretary Handel Announces Information for Candidate Qualifying
Secretary of State Karen Handel today announced the following information relating to qualifying for federal and state offices to be filled in the Tuesday, November 4, 2008 General Election.
In accordance with O.C.G.A. §21-2-131, the following qualifying fees have been fixed for 2008 federal and state offices:
Office
Salary
Fee
United States Senator
$165,200.00
3%
$4,956.00
United States Representative
$165,200.00
3%
$4,956.00
Public Service Commissioner
$113,060.40
3%
$3,391.81
State Senator
$400.00
State Representative
$400.00
Justice of Supreme Court
$162,339.60
3%
$4,870.19
Judge of the Court of Appeals
$161,346.00
3%
$4,840.38
Judge of Superior Court
$116,749.57
3%
$3,502.49
District Attorney
$111,023.08
3%
$3,330.69
Qualifying fees are set by O.C.G.A. §21-2-131(a), which states that candidate qualifying fees will be 3 percent of the office’s minimum annual salary, excluding the qualifying fees for State House and State Senate which are $400.
A complete list of offices up for election can be found at: http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/elections/candidate_information/2008%20office%20to%20be%20filled_3.pdf.
Qualifying will be held Monday, April 28 beginning at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, May 2, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. for Republican and Democratic candidates wishing to fill federal and state offices up for election in 2008. As outlined by Georgia law, the qualifying fee will be paid to the applicable state political party. The primary election for these candidates will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
Qualifying for independent candidates will be held Monday, June 23 beginning at 9:00 a.m. through Friday, June 27, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. in the Secretary of State’s Elections Division Office. As outlined by Georgia law, the qualifying fee will be paid to the Secretary of State. Independent candidates do not have a primary but qualify for placement on the General Election ballot.
Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Cagle and Speaker Richardson
Governor Sonny Perdue, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and House Majority Leader Jerry Keen today began a tour of Georgia to discuss their shared priorities for the 2008 legislative session. Representative Keen traveled on behalf of Speaker Glenn Richardson, who was unable to attend on Wednesday, due to obligations trying a case in court.
The three state leaders announced today that they share a vision for continuing Georgia’s success in improving education, ensuring the sustainability of our water resources, strengthening the state’s transportation infrastructure and protecting the health of Georgia’s citizens. The three started in Albany this morning and will travel to nine cities over the next day and a half.
“We are traveling the state today to show that we are unified on the issues of education, water, transportation and healthcare,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This year, we plan to give Georgians what they expect: sensible and effective legislation that will continue our progress in improving education, establish plans to protect our water resources, improve Georgia’s transportation system and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges.”
"We have come together to highlight critical issues that unify us as we look to bring essential and positive changes to Georgia’s transportation infrastructure, educational system, water needs and healthcare,” said Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. “As elected officials, our main priority should be to provide the kind of leadership that brings positive results to our state and that is our goal this session."
"Now more than ever our state is faced with many challenges and issues that we must address,” said Speaker Glenn Richardson. “Whether it be protecting our water resources, educating Georgia’s children, or providing affordable health care, we must band together and work towards a common goal with common ideas. During this legislative session the Governor, the Lt. Governor and I are committed to improving the way of life for all Georgians, and because we share this common thread, I know we will succeed.”
Among the priorities discussed today was continuing Georgia’s success in improving education. Georgia’s high school graduation rate is currently higher than it’s ever been before. Today the Governor, Lt. Governor and House leadership committed to work to increase the graduation rate to at least 80 percent by 2010. They agreed on the importance of tougher curriculum standards as well as more parental involvement and control over a child’s education. They indicated that innovative approaches to education such as charter schools and special needs scholarships are all components in moving Georgia’s educational system forward.
State leadership also committed today to address funding for a statewide trauma care network during the 2008 legislative session. They agreed that innovative and creative approaches should be examined to ensure that effective and affordable healthcare coverage is available to Georgians.
The sustainability of Georgia’s water resources has been a critical topic leading up to the 2008 legislative session. The three leaders agreed today that the passage of the Statewide Water Plan is imperative to ensure that our water resources are managed effectively. They also agreed that in 2008, local governments must examine adding storage capacity through reservoir construction and enhancements, with the state’s support.
Transportation is another area that state leadership agrees must be addressed as Georgia’s economy and population continue to grow. Today each of the three leaders supported internal changes at the Georgia Department of Transportation to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget, allowing Georgia to foster economic growth and development for generations to come.
Following the first stop in Albany this morning, Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Cagle and House Majority Leader Keen plan to visit Brunswick, Savannah, Augusta and Atlanta on Wednesday. Speaker Richardson hopes to join the group as his court obligations allow. Thursday they visit Macon, Columbus, Cartersville and Gainesville.
For more information on these and other initiatives, you can visit Governor Perdue’s website at http://gov.georgia.gov, Lt. Governor Cagle’s website at http://ltgov.georgia.gov or Speaker Richardson’s website at http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/house/speaker/index.htm.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Scientists Warn Against Religious Belief in Global Warming
(CNSNews.com) - Commentary from 400 prominent scientists from around the world, which was included in a U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee report released last week, warns of a religious-like belief in global warming in the scientific community.
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200801/CUL20080104a.html
Major Democrat Moneyman Under Indictment In Texas For Pretending To Be A Lawyer
Is it Hsu all over again for the Democrats?
AUSTIN (AP) - Authorities raided the offices of an influential Democratic donor on Friday, prompting accusations by the donor’s attorneys that the raid was politically motivated.
The state attorney general’s office said it was assisting the Nueces County district attorney in the criminal investigation of Mauricio Celis, 36, who has given money to major Democratic candidates including Hillary Clinton and is the subject of numerous ongoing lawsuits and charges.
http://www.rightwingnews.com/mt331/2008/01/major_democrat_moneyman_under.php
Dean: Large turnout good for Democrats
WASHINGTON - Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Saturday the large turnout for the Iowa caucuses indicates Americans are looking for a Democrat to run the White House in 2008, but he added that the party still has to work to make that happen.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080105/ap_on_el_pr/democrats2008
Note to Republicans: It's time to fire up and get working!!!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Iowa GOP refuses to report Keyes votes
The Iowa Republican Party has neither counted nor reported the number of votes for Alan Keyes in the GOP caucuses held Jan. 3.
"We didn't have the electronic means to record the tallies for Keyes, so we can't yet report to the public how many votes Keyes got," said John Lund at the Iowa GOP headquarters in Des Moines. "We can't report the Keyes votes until we've double-checked each individual paper ballot."
Meanwhile, the Iowa GOP widely reported the vote tallies of all other candidates, including Tom Tancredo, who got 5 votes despite having quit the race.
"I personally traveled with Alan Keyes across Iowa, and we met scores of Keyes voters. It's totally unfair these citizens' votes are now being withheld from the public," said Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt. "This is tantamount to election fraud."
"I voted for Alan Keyes," said Siena Hoefling of Calhoun County. "It's ridiculous they didn't report my vote. Each precinct could have easily called or emailed the vote tallies to headquarters, so they should have been counted by now."
"County election officials showed me a ballot list of 'suggested' candidates, but Alan Keyes' name wasn't on the list," said Hoefling. "When I asked them if they would include Alan's name, they said they'd have to write it in."
One election official apologized to Hoefling that Keyes' name was omitted, saying "these are just the names we were given by [Iowa GOP] headquarters."
Duaine Bollwitt of Monticello said, "Alan Keyes was not on the list of Republican Presidential candidates. My vote for Alan Keyes was treated as a write-in. I thought that was odd, but what do I know."
"A presidential preference poll reporting procedure was given to me, explaining how to report the votes to headquarters," said Michael Walsh, a precinct permanent secretary for Windsor Heights. "When we called in the vote tallies by telephone, an electronic voice asked for the number of votes, candidate-by-candidate."
Whether the electronic voice prompt collecting the votes offered Alan Keyes as a choice is unclear.
Tom Youngwirth, recorder for his Windsor Heights precinct, said, "Now that I think of it, I didn't hear Alan Keyes' name on the voice prompt. But John McCain's name was on the voice prompt."
"I know for sure we reported votes for Alan Keyes to headquarters," said Ron Granzow, precinct chair for Windsor Heights. "I don't know why they wouldn't report his votes to the public."
"This resembles a 'communist-style' approach to electoral politics," said Stephen Stone, chairman of Alan Keyes for President. "In the former Soviet Union, political officials limited voters' choices in a way that created merely the illusion of democracy, without the reality. Any undue interference with free and open elections, of the sort we think we just witnessed, is un-American."
Added Stone, "Alan Keyes has been an announced candidate for president since Sept. 14. Yet the state GOP chose to exclude him from the caucus process, claiming he 'announced too late' to be included, so that his name was not even mentioned on official lists of candidates or in reporting instructions. This disenfranchises Iowa voters."
Briefing by National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley on the President's Upcoming Trip to the Middle East
1/3/08
2:03 P.M. EST
MR. HADLEY: Good afternoon. On Tuesday, January 8th, President Bush will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
The trip follows the Annapolis meeting, and offers an opportunity for the President to discuss with Israelis and Palestinians their efforts toward a negotiated peace and achievement of the President's vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. He will also encourage broader Israeli-Arab reconciliation, and regional support for Palestinian institution-building efforts, as they build the institutions for a Palestinian state.
The trip will be an opportunity to reaffirm the enduring commitment of the United States to the security of our friends and allies in the Middle East, especially the Gulf nations. The trip will highlight our work in the region to combat terrorism and extremism, promote freedom, and seek peace and prosperity. The President will stress the importance of supporting the young democracies and the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and the Palestinians. He will have an opportunity to discuss with friends and allies the challenges to the region, including the challenges presented by Iran, ways to strengthen regional security and advance our economic ties to the region.
On Wednesday afternoon the President arrives in Tel Aviv -- that would be on Wednesday, January 9. On Wednesday and Thursday, January 9 and 10, while in Israel and the West Bank, the President will have meetings with Israeli President Peres and Prime Minister Olmert, and separately with Palestinian President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad.
On Friday, January 11, the President will meet with Quartet representative Tony Blair to get an update on efforts to help build the institutions of a Palestinian state and enhance the Palestinian capacity to self-govern.
The President will also lay a wreath at the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem before traveling to Kuwait, where he will meet with Amir Sabah.
On Saturday January 12, President Bush will visit with U.S. troops at Camp Arifjan. And he will meet also with Ambassador Crocker and General Petraeus to get an update on the current situation in Iraq. Also, the President will have a roundtable on democracy and development with Kuwaiti women.
The President will then travel to Bahrain, where he will meet with King Hamad.
On Sunday, January 13, President Bush will visit the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet before traveling to the United Arab Emirates, where he will meet with President Khalifa. Following this meeting, President Bush will deliver a speech in Abu Dhabi. In that speech, he will talk about the progress we have seen in the Gulf, the progress of the freedom agenda in the region, emerging economic progress, and how regional security is important for both continued economic growth and for the spread of freedom.
On Monday, January 14th, President Bush will travel to Dubai, where he will be greeted by the ruler of Dubai. President Bush will then travel to Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with King Abdullah.
On Tuesday, January 15th, President Bush will be in Riyadh for meetings. On Wednesday, January 16th, President Bush will travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he will meet with President Mubarak. And the President will depart Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday January 16 in the afternoon en route to Andrews Air Force Base.
And I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have at this time.
Q Are you exploring the possibility of a three-way meeting between the President, Prime Minister Olmert, and Mr. Abbas -- President Abbas?
MR. HADLEY: There is not one on the schedule at this point. At this point, the two of them, the two leaders -- President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert -- have really only had one meeting together to begin this process of negotiation. So at this point we're looking at a series of bilateral meetings with the two sides at this point. There will be opportunities down the road if the parties think it's helpful to meet trilaterally, but at this point we're looking at a series of bilateral meetings.
Q So that's something we shouldn't expect, because there's been some expectation in the region that there's going to be a three-way meeting. But you're saying no.
MR. HADLEY: There's not one on the schedule at this point, and at this point I think it's probably going to be a series of bilateral meetings.
Q There also seems to be a heightened level of expectation in the region that the President will do something that substantially advances the possibility for Israeli-Palestinian peace. What could possibly come out at this stage in the game?
MR. HADLEY: Well, I think just his going there is going to advance the prospects. If you think about it, we've really got sort of three tracks that were launched at Annapolis. One is the negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians for an outline of an agreement for a Palestinian state; the second is the implementation of the road map; and the third, of course, is building the institutions of a Palestinian state. These are sort of the three elements of what we need to build an enduring Israeli-Palestinian peace.
And I think as you heard from the agenda, he'll have an opportunity to encourage all three of them, and to show his support for them, as well as to meet with the Arab countries in the region and encourage them to make a strategic investment in the long-term peace and stability in the region; making an investment by supporting President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad, supporting them diplomatically, supporting them financially. He will encourage, obviously, greater support for the regime, the government of Iraq as they try and bring stability to that country. He will also encourage support for the Siniora government in Lebanon, for example.
So I think if you look at the stops the President is making, it is an opportunity to advance the whole process forward.
Q Steve, one of the criticisms, obviously, the administration is going to face during the trip is people -- specifically Democrats on Capitol Hill -- saying that those efforts you're talking about will be made harder by the fact that you didn't focus enough on Mideast peace in the first seven years of the administration, and that you're waiting for the first presidential trip to the Mideast -- specifically Israel -- until the eighth year of his presidency. What's your response? How do you push back against that criticism?
MR. HADLEY: I would say that the President has been pursuing Middle East peace in the right way ever since he's been in office. And if you look at the building blocks of that peace, one of the things he did was he made it very clear that there would be no compromise with terror; and the use of violence against innocents is not justified by any cause; and that any state -- including Israel -- had the right to defend itself against terror. That built an enormous confidence in the Israeli government in the President.
Secondly, he refused to deal with Arafat, who he viewed as a failed leader, who supported -- was compromised by terror and corruption, and had failed to lead his people. Third, he called for -- and as you know, was the first President to call for the creation of a Palestinian state. Fourth, he called not only for talking about the boundaries of that state, but the institutions that would need to be built to have a democratic Palestinian state able to be at peace with Israel and provide greater -- better welfare for their people.
He supported Ariel Sharon, when nobody else did, with the Gaza disengagement, which had Israel for the first time shutting down settlements and relocating settlers out of settlements. It was really the end of the vision of greater Israel.
And what we now see is the emergence within the Palestinian community, in the form of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad, with leaders who are committed to peace and are willing to negotiate with Israel and understand the importance of fighting terror, and that terror will never be an avenue to get a Palestinian state. That is a huge breakthrough. And you have, in terms of Prime Minister Olmert, and a consensus within Israel, that greater Israel is not the future; that if you want to safeguard Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people there needs to be a Palestine that is a homeland to the Palestinian people.
And finally, you have now Arab states, as you saw in Annapolis, willing to come forward and support that process, support both Palestinians and Israelis in that process, and offer the prospect that Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation will be in the context of a broader Israel-Arab reconciliation.
So I would say to you the President has been working fairly consistently over seven years to put in place the building blocks of what now offers an opportunity for peace. And he has seized that opportunity -- that's what Annapolis was all about. And this trip is an opportunity for him to show his own personal commitment by going to the region and hearing from the parties directly, and encourage them to seize the opportunity that is before them.
Sir.
Q Steve, it has been six weeks or so since Annapolis. In that time you've mentioned the one meeting that the two principals have had in the region -- it was a likely brief, tense meeting -- you've had the shelling from Gaza, you've had the Israeli counter-attacks, you've had disputes over settlements. Was Annapolis the high point?
MR. HADLEY: No, I don't think so. We certainly don't think that will prove to be the case. I think it's another good reason for the President to go to the regions.
Look, there are a lot of distractions -- and some of them not by accident. What -- as the President has talked about -- what you see in the Middle East right now is a struggle between extremists and those who have a more hopeful vision for the future of the Middle East. And the extremists have made clear that they view democracy and those people who try to build it as enemy number one. And you see it in the shelling that you see coming from Gaza into Israel, as an effort to undermine this process that got started in Annapolis.
I would say to you that the killing of Benazir Bhutto is another example of extremists recognizing the danger that those who advocate democracy represent to their future. You see it in the struggle in Iraq. You see it in the struggle in Lebanon. So this is a broader canvas. And the enemies of peace are going to try and disrupt this process, and I think you see that in terms of the activity of the terrorists. And it's going to be a challenge for Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas to not let those who would obstruct the process have a veto on that process, and to be able to carry it forward anyway.
There are also some additional tracks. One of the things we've agreed to do is to monitor the progress of implementation of the road map. And implementation of the road map needs to go in parallel with negotiations. So the issue of settlements, that is a road map issue, and it is something that needs to be addressed in that context.
Increasing the capability of Palestinian security forces is something that is part of the building of Palestinian institutions and the carrying out their commitment in the road map to provide greater security. So what I would say to you is -- and I think one of the President's messages are going to be -- these issues that are important -- like settlements, like the violence -- need to be addressed, can be addressed in those discussions about the road map. But at the same time, President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert need to begin to sit down and deal with the hard issues that need to be negotiated for the establishment of a Palestinian peace. That's one of the reasons the President is going on this trip.
Q I'm wondering what you're expecting to accomplish on the subject of Iran, and whether part of it is going to be explaining to allies in the region what the NIE on Iran truly means, and perhaps trying to dispel any conspiracy theories that have popped up in the region?
MR. HADLEY: Yes, I think there's a lot of misunderstanding about how we do intelligence here. And the President -- and there's a lot of concern in the region about Iran, not all of it expressed publicly. And I think the President is going to want to go and talk privately and quietly to indicate that we understand the challenge that Iran represents to the region; that they can count -- our friends and allies in the region can count on our commitment to the region and our continued presence in the region. And he will also -- this will be one of the subjects he will address about how we all need to work together for the common challenge that extremism represents to the stability and peace in the region. So he'll have an opportunity to talk about that.
Q When you talk about investments in the process overall, are you expecting to actually get commitments from various leaders around the region, and are you going to be able to talk about those publicly?
MR. HADLEY: Well, you know, we've had some commitments. One of the things -- Annapolis, as you know, was followed by the Paris conference, where a number of countries came forward and made commitments to the Palestinians. Obviously, that is a process that needs to go ongoing. So we will continue to ask people to look at those issues, in terms of supporting the Palestinians. I'm sure the President will talk about debt relief for Iraq. We'll continue to talk about the need to give prescription drug support to the Lebanese government, and to support it in its effort to -- the Lebanese people to come up with a consensus President.
So I think he will be encouraging countries to make these steps. You know, a lot of these commitments -- sometimes it's better to accept the commitment in private, and let the public manifestation reveal itself later. We're not looking for headline announcements. What the President is looking for is better understanding of the challenge we face, and a commitment to dealing with that challenge.
Q You mentioned that the President is going to be giving a speech in which he touches on the freedom agenda. I wonder if you can just give an assessment from the White House's perspective of what kind of progress you've seen in the Gulf states -- Saudi Arabia to Egypt, countries you're going to be visiting -- in democratization, political liberalization, since the President's second inaugural address. What's your general assessment of that progress?
MR. HADLEY: We've seen some progress, and I'm going to give you some examples, and then I'm going to speak to it, to what you talked about.
I think we saw a lot of that progress in 2005 and early 2006. We did see in Egypt, for example, the first ever multiparty presidential election. We have seen elections and participations in parliaments in the region. I would note, for example, that in Bahrain, there has been progress in promoting women's rights. The first woman was elected to parliament in 2006. In the UAE, it has held its first ever indirect elections for members of the parliament.
They have -- in Saudi Arabia, there have been elections for municipal councils in 2005. King Abdullah has launched a national dialogue to address reform issues, including women's rights and relations with non-Muslims. He has talked a lot about the importance of promoting intercultural and interfaith understanding. He has, as you know, met with the Pope. Kuwait has granted the right for women to vote and to run for office, and women have competed in the elections that they held in 2006. As you know, in Egypt, as I mentioned, they had their first ever multiparty presidential election, parliamentary elections.
I think it is fair to say that this rate of progress has not continued in the way we would have hoped. There have been some sources of concern. I think the election of Hamas in the Palestinian elections gave a number of countries pause as to where this was heading. There has been, I think, concerns in that respect. And I think what we can say is, at this present time, most of the countries in the region understand and have started a movement towards greater democracy, giving their people more of a role in their future.
They have taken some steps -- we said from the beginning that this was going to go at the pace that reflected the history and culture of the countries, and would take a form that reflected the history and culture of the countries; it could not be imposed. That said, we would obviously like and have liked a little bit greater progress. And I think that's one of the things you'll hear the President calling for in the region.
Q Do you think that the President and the administration in general have pulled back on promoting that in the last year because of interest in Iran, interest in getting support on Iraq, interest in getting support on the Palestinian-Israeli peace process? I mean, you get that kind of criticism --
MR. HADLEY: You do.
Q -- frequently, both from the region, human rights activists, Congress.
MR. HADLEY: I don't agree with it, and I think we can get out for you, for example, a list of dissidents and human rights activists that the President had met with over the last two years. He meets consistently with these people. He has continued to call for democracy. And remember, his view, particularly in terms of the struggle between extremists and those who support justice and democracy and freedom in the Middle East, the essence of his strategy is, we need to take the fight to the terrorists, but we need to promote democracy and freedom as a counterport or as an alternative to the ideology of the terrorists.
It is integral to the President's strategy for how to bring stability and prosperity to the region and to make it a bulwark against terror, that there be progress in terms of freedom and democracy. It's the essence of his strategy. So, no, I don't think he's pulled back.
Yes, ma'am.
Q Can you describe for us a little bit about the time he will spend on the West Bank? Obviously there is no Palestinian state to visit -- how you chose where he's going to go, who he will see beyond President Abbas and the Prime Minister, what that West Bank time will be like?
MR. HADLEY: I'll try to -- I will tell you, partly because of the holidays, this -- we're still nailing down the specifics of this trip. He's going to Ramallah because that really is the Palestinian capital at this point in time. That is where their government meets. And he will go to the center of the Palestinian -- where the government meets in the Muqata. The President thinks that's an appropriate thing to do, an appropriate setting.
We are obviously going to go to Jerusalem and meet with the Israeli government. We are looking now at whether there are other stops that he may undertake, the President may undertake while he is in the region, and when those get nailed down, we'll release them to you. But the agenda and the itinerary is a little bit in flux.
Obviously the main focus is going to be with President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad.
Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry, you want to follow up?
Q In the last 24 hours, there has been Israeli raids on both Gaza and Nablus with civilian casualties.
MR. HADLEY: Yes.
Q Do you think this kind of conduct will be helpful to the atmosphere just before the President's visit there? And also, there's been reports in the Israeli press that they wanted a future Palestinian state, one that is demilitarized, and Israel has the right to fly over the Palestinians' airspace. Is this an American position that you will endorse?
MR. HADLEY: As I said in my earlier comments, those people who promote extremism and use the instruments of terror are going to try and obstruct this process, because this process, if it works, leads to a peaceful, democratic Palestine living side by side in peace with Israel. There are people in the region that do not want that. And I think they are casting their vote, in terms of these rocket attacks in Israel, and it poses a real dilemma for Israel because it feels, rightly, that it needs to defend its people.
And we believe that it is going to be very important for President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert to find a way to continue on the path of trying to negotiate the contours of a Palestinian state, notwithstanding distractions on the one hand and those who are going to try and disrupt that process on the other.
In terms of the second issue you raised, those are the kinds of issues that Israelis and Palestinians are going to need to sit down and work out for themselves.
Yes, sir.
Q Since you brought the brutal murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, you think this issue, the violence in Pakistan and situation in Pakistan, the future of democracy in Pakistan and murder of Benazir Bhutto will be discussed with anybody during this week-long trip in the Middle East? And also, upcoming -- Talibans are coming back in Afghanistan. Do you think these two issues will be discussed during this trip, sir?
MR. HADLEY: I think it will, because I think increasingly people in the region are seeing it as the President does, as a struggle between the forces of terror and extremism and those forces of democracy and freedom. And you're seeing it fought out in various forms in the region and I think that will be a major topic of discussion, absolutely.
Yes, sir.
Q Steve, what did you make of the decision by the Egyptian government yesterday to allow some 2,200 individuals -- most of them pilgrims, but quite a number of them, perhaps as many as 200, described by the Israeli government as Hamas terrorists, some who had received training in Iran, allegedly -- to cross through the Rafah border crossing, in violation of previous agreements with both the Americans and the Israelis? What did you make of that decision?
MR. HADLEY: It's a real challenge in Gaza, because obviously there is a humanitarian situation that needs to be addressed. There are also people living in Gaza who wanted to participate in the Hajj and a way needs to be found for them to do so. And efforts were being made in that regard.
On the other hand, we also see that Gaza is a place where Hamas and others reside and are building up the capacity to frustrate the hopes in the region for an Israeli-Palestinian peace. And so everyone in the region has a right and should be concerned about the flow of weapons and other instruments of war into Gaza that could be used to frustrate the opportunity we now have for peace.
And that problem has not been solved and has not been fixed -- and it is a subject that not is only just an Israeli problem, but I would say to you, all the countries in the region: Palestinians are concerned about that problem, the Egyptians need to be concerned about the problem, other countries do as well. Those countries who are interested in a peaceful solution in the Middle East need to work together to solve the problem about the movement of money and weapons into Gaza, which then puts them in the hands of Hamas, to be used to really obstruct the hopes for peace.
Q But that the Egyptians resolved this in the way they did, took the actions that they did, does that show to you that they are making the kind of strategic investment you want your Arab allies to be making now?
MR. HADLEY: As I said earlier, one of the themes that the President is going to have is that we all need to make a greater investment in those things that will bring the peace. And that certainly includes the Arab states, it certainly includes them with respect to dealing with the issue of Gaza, supporting the Palestinians, supporting the Siniora government in Lebanon, and supporting the government in Iraq.
Q So the Egyptians can do more, is what you're saying.
MR. HADLEY: I think at this critical stage we can all do more and need to do more. We all need to be making strategic level investments that offer the prospect of peace, and I think that will be a theme that you're going to hear from the President, and they will hear from the President, throughout the trip.
Yes, sir.
Q To go back to Bhutto for just a second, you said a minute ago that extremists were responsible for her death. Are you endorsing the Pakistani contention that al Qaeda was responsible? Because a lot of people in Pakistan think it may not be that simple.
MR. HADLEY: No, we don't know. But what we can say is it was a terror attack that killed Benazir Bhutto. And obviously there is an investigation that is going to be -- is underway to determine exactly who was responsible for that. But the nature of that attack and the blow it represents to freedom and democracy is unarguable.
Yes, ma'am.
Q You talked a lot about obstructing the peace process. Many of the countries that you're about to visit take the position that settlements obstruct the peace process. Will the President have a message to Israel about settlements in the West Bank?
MR. HADLEY: As you know, we have talked privately and publicly to Israel about settlements. It was one of the things that was talked about before, during and after the Annapolis meeting. It is an obligation in the road map to freeze further settlement activity. I think it's interesting that Prime Minister Olmert, in his comments this week, addressed this issue of settlements in terms of how -- that there would be no additional confiscations, no new settlements, and no confiscation of land, that sort of thing -- no expansion of settlements.
So it is an issue. It is one we've talked about and is an issue that will be part of the discussions over the implementation of the road map.
Yes, sir.
Q Yes, on Turkey.
MR. HADLEY: No, this gentleman here, and then -- I missed you, and then we'll --
Q Sir, in July the administration made clear that the defense agreements with Egypt, the Gulf countries and Saudi were key -- played a central role in Middle East strategy. The Saudi agreement has been peeled off from others of those agreements -- the UAE agreement, for example -- in a sign of the possible congressional difficulties it may get for congressional approval of that understanding. How important are those agreements, and in particular the Saudi agreement, as the President prepares to travel to the region?
MR. HADLEY: We think they're important as a signal of long-term U.S. commitment to the region and support for our friends and allies in the region. It's an important piece of our strategy in the region. And we think that in the current environment, we are in a process now of sitting down with the Congress, and we think ultimately Congress will agree with that assessment.
Yes, sir.
Q With the strong anti-American feelings in the Middle East, what does the President intend to do or to say to reach out to the public opinions? I understand, according to the schedule, that there will be only one speech in Abu Dhabi.
MR. HADLEY: He will have opportunities to meet not only with government officials, but we're working on finalizing an agenda that will have him opportunities to talk to business people, to students, and to others in the region.
But I think the main thing that the President can bring is a message of hope for the region, a commitment to finding a way towards supporting those who support freedom and democracy and justice in the region. We think that is what most of the people in the region want: a normal life in which they can take more responsibility for themselves -- that is going to be the President's message -- and also the things he's willing to do and the policies he's pursuing to do that: support of the government in Iraq, supporting of the Siniora government in Lebanon, willingness to support actively the Israeli-Palestinian process. I think those steps will speak for themselves.
Yes, sir.
Q Mr. Hadley, who initiated the upcoming meeting between President Bush and the Turkish President Gul, and do you know if the Cyprus issue and the Balkans issue will be the agenda?
MR. HADLEY: Obviously the two men will discuss what's on their mind. There's a long list of things they can discuss. We'll see whether those two issues will come up.
Q It's a working visit?
MR. HADLEY: Yes, it's very important business.
Q Working?
MR. HADLEY: It's a very important visit, yes.
Q Is it a working visit -- he's asking if it's a working visit.
MR. HADLEY: They will have a meeting, and they will have a meal together. That's an appropriate meeting for the President of a country. It's what we normally do.
Yes, sir.
Q You mentioned that the President has insisted on existence of proper institutions or sufficient institutions on the Palestinian side being present before peace with Israel was going to be possible. Is it the feeling, then, of the White House now that those institutions exist on the Palestinian side? Are they sufficient? If not, are there more measures needed and more institution building needed on the Palestinian side?
MR. HADLEY: I wouldn't characterize it the way you characterized it. As I said, there are really three tracks now going forward. One is the negotiation track, the implementation of the road map, concrete steps by Israelis and Palestinians to advance addressing issues that are critical for building confidence among Israelis and Palestinians, which we think will contribute to the success of the negotiation. And also, in parallel with those two tracks, building the institutions of a Palestinian state in parallel with discussing what those borders will be. We think all three need to proceed in a mutually reinforcing way, and that's the approach that we're taking.
Q If I can follow up there?
MR. HADLEY: Yes, sir.
Q The Saudi Foreign Minister said in advance of Annapolis, when he was here in town, that Hamas -- there would have to be a rapprochement between Hamas and Fatah before a final peace deal was necessary. So with regards to, say, political institutions on the Palestinian side, do you believe that Hamas and Fatah have to have a rapprochement before peace with Israel is possible?
MR. HADLEY: We believe that President Abbas has the authority to negotiate on behalf of the Palestinian people under his PLO mandate. We hope that those negotiations will be successful in terms of creating the structure for a Palestinian state, and, as the President has said many times, we hope then, at that point, the people of Gaza will have an opportunity to choose -- do they want to be part of a Palestinian state along the lines that will be negotiated between President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert or do they want to continue the situation in which they now exist, which is a desperate situation for the people, the Palestinians living in Gaza. And the President is confident, as we've seen historically every time people have a real opportunity to vote for freedom and the ability to take control of their own futures, they vote that way every time.
MR. HADLEY: Yes, sir.
Q Media reports out of Asia are suggesting that President Bush might talk about the new vision for the Arab Gulf, of security -- new vision of security for the Arab Gulf. Can you elaborate about this; if it's true or not?
MR. HADLEY: Well, we have the (inaudible) of what we think is a pattern of relations, alliances and cooperation that contributes to security and stability in the Gulf, and one of the things the President is going to do is, by going there, show his commitment to a long-term presence, a long-term commitment to our friends and allies in the region, and to encourage greater cooperation with the region and within the region to provide for security and stability. And that's what he'll be doing.
Thank you very much.
END 2:36 P.M. EST
