"You know you want me, baby.... come make momma's motor purrrrrrr!"
Posted on 05/22/2006 9:38:16 AM PDT by dinasour
Press Gaggle by Tony Snow Aboard Air Force One En route Chicago, Illinois
10:23 A.M. EDT
MR. SNOW: As you know, the President will be traveling to Chicago. Before the restauranteurs he will be talking about immigration reform and also making his first extended comments on the formation of a government in Iraq.
Also, I don't know if you've heard, but Prime Minister Blair's office has announced the Prime Minister will be making a visit to Washington later in the week. Details at this point still to be determined. As soon as we have a schedule we will let you know.
That's about it, a very quick statement, and whatever questions you have.
Peter.
Q What's the purpose of the Blair-Bush meeting?
MR. SNOW: Well, as you know, the Prime Minister has been in Iraq, so what I think what they're going to be doing is talking about Iraq and the next steps forward.
Q Does he want to pull troops out, or what's the -- he said over the weekend, or there have been reports over the weekend that he's anxious to pull troops out.
MR. SNOW: Well, I can't speak for what the Prime Minister is going to do; he may report on his desires. Prime Minister Maliki has also said that he would like Iraqi forces to be taking -- asserting much more control by the end of the year.
As we've always said -- and Prime Minister Blair reiterated this yesterday -- I mean, today, as least as far as the readout I've gotten -- which is it's all conditions-based. The conditions on the ground still determine how long troops stay there.
Q Does he look forward to the meeting tomorrow with Olmert? Can you talk about -- there was an Israeli newspaper report that says the President was going to present him with some new ideas for advancing the peace process.
MR. SNOW: Well, I think at this point this is as much a getting-to-know-you meeting. Obviously, they'll be talking about the roadmap and the way forward. I don't expect anything formal, but the two of them obviously are going to be talking about ways to keep moving forward.
Q What about a response to his comments yesterday on CNN, that he said Abbas was too weak to advance such a process?
MR. SNOW: Well, on the other hand, there have also been reports that the two of them have had cordial meetings. So, obviously, again, the viability of the Palestinian Authority is a key matter. Most importantly, the administration continues to say, the President continues to say that we are not going to recognize Hamas until they renounce violence.
Q With a unified unity government now in place, what are the chances that American troops will start pulling out before the end of this year?
MR. SNOW: Well, once again, it's all conditions-based. You don't simply say because you have a government you pull out. The President has been pretty clear, troops will return when they're no longer needed. And it is still our desire to see that the Iraqi military and police forces are trained up and capable of providing for public security in Iraq.
Q But you have seven months ahead, so is the seven months enough time to just -- my question is, what is your assessment, I guess, of what Iraq is going to do in the next seven months, if you're not willing to say that seven months is enough time to begin pulling troops out?
MR. SNOW: Well, if you can tell me exactly what's going to happen in the next seven months, I'll give you an answer.
Q What does the U.S. government want to accomplish by encouraging these European banks to limit their dealings with Iran?
MR. SNOW: Well, again, what's been going on is that there has been attempt to try to get the Iranians to come back to the table, to deal in good faith, with serious negotiations toward renouncing any nuclear military ambitions. We don't have any problem with peaceful civilian use of nuclear power, but it's important to get the Iranians to engage seriously.
Q Tony, Prime Minister Olmert also said that Iran was months away from developing a nuclear weapon. What does the U.S. think of that prediction?
MR. SNOW: Well, I'm not going to get into our particular, precise estimates of Iranian nuclear capabilities.
Q Do you disagree with him them that --
MR. SNOW: To tell you the truth, I don't know.
Q Can we go back to the banks? If the U.S. government and the Treasury Department are encouraging the European banks to not have dealings, how does that play into this works with European allies to stop them from having the nuclear weapon or the nuclear ambitions? Why are you going about it this way -- encouraging these banks to limit their dealings --
MR. SNOW: I'll tell you what, I'll try to come up with more precise guidance because, frankly, for me to try to come up with rationales for this is going to be talking through my hat -- and that would be irresponsible for me, you and the government.
Q Is he going to take questions today?
MR. SNOW: There is a possibility that he'll take some from the audience.
Q Thank you.
END 10:28 A.M. EDT
lol @ showshine boy. I am wondering why I have heard nothing about it since that one liner. All Halloway all the time has me a bit frustrated!
> I just found this
Except for a lucky break, if anyone is going to catch him the Jordanians will. They have means that we would be hard pressed to duplicate. Zak gave them the will.
The bad thing about being a holy warrior, after a while you begin to believe that you're invicible, god being on your side and all.
So much for "You'll never take me alive", as well.
I agree Zarqawi gave them the will. It seems that even Al Jiz is hinting about who this could be.
I sure am left wondering why this hasn't got any legs yet.
I guess we will soon find out.
That's easy. It doesn't hurt the President.
Me too!
add me to your ping list.
Polly
Do you remember when the terrorists got caught in Jordan who were planning a chemical attack to kill over 80,000 people? They gave a confession on Jordan TV also, and said they had been in Iraq with Zarqawi planning attacks against Jordan and American interests since the day Afghanistan fell.
It never made the MSM. I found it on a Jordan website. You have to register for that site but here is the transcript from an Israel site.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004 [Full text of confession]Al Qaeda Plans Terrorist Attack in Chemical Weapons against Jordan
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=20579
The Jordan website:
www.petra.gov.jo/nepras/2004/Apr/26/19114500.htm
Indeed I remember that quite well. I remember seeing one or two days of articles and even a picture of a truk with blue containers being offloaded.
It really is too bad that Media has become so foolish about things that matter so little and so ignorant of things that matter so much.
Sure.
You're not going to grow up to be French, are you?
YES!! Finally. Good job Tony.
But perhaps more giggling. ;-)
Do you notice how often he says Helen's name? It's like he's playing to our repeated suggestions on how to control and contain her before he left.
Well, I can dream.... lol
Pinz
That photo was shocking to me too! Ick!!!
But then I thought...
Tony has to look at Helen's face every day. These photos remind us of the sacrifices he is making for all of our sakes.
Be strong for Tony! ;-)
Pinz
> Tony has to look at Helen's face every day.
I'd like to have a picture of Helen as a twenty-something. I'll bet she was a babe.
We can beat on Helen for being an ass, but not the way she looks, and especially not for being old.
We are all going to be there someday, some of us are well on our way.
Yes!
I go for the giggles. Only laughter keeps me going with all the nastiness going on, laughter is the best medicine. Even thought I disagree with TS on several issues, I can still love and respect him. What's a little disagreement as long as we can laugh at ourselves, and maintain a level of respect.
Tony has got it right, treat Ms. Thomas with the respect that she deserves as a human being and that includes addressing exactly what she says, not her demeanor or her inappropriateness.
Very smart cookie, that Mr. Snow.
Should I have used a '/s'?
You notic I don't have my photo on my home page. ;-)
Tony has a great way of treating people, even morons, in a respectful way. Reason # 427 why I admire him. (And the folks on your ping list) :-)
Pinz
There are plenty of people who I have complete faith in who disagree with my view on some issues.
I remind my children to carry around at least a teaspoon of humilty with them. lol None of us understands the entire story of what's happening in any given situation.
I'm sure Tony (for instance) knows tons more than I do about the ins & outs, the history, and the practical reality of immigration. I know what I think based on what I know, but I also keep an open mind that he probably has more knowledge (and wisdom) on the topic than I do, and if I knew what he knew I may well agree with him.
That's true of several other people in this administration, on other topics, including Rummy. :-)
I don't have the gift, or the inclination, to debate every poster here on every detail of their disagreements. Sometimes it's best to just sit quietly and watch what unfolds (saying a few parayers if necessary), and be prepared to cheer on our good guys with faith.
Sorry to have gotten off on a bit of a rant. Not chastising you in the least, just getting it off my chest. Thanks! :-)
Pinz
I pray you are right! That would be HUGE!
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