Bush: Stem cell decision 'when I'm ready'

By Kelly Wallace
CNN White House Correspondent

CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) -- President George W. Bush, who hit the links Tuesday -- his first public activity since arriving at his ranch -- told reporters he has not made a decision on whether to allow federal funding of medical research on stem cells obtained from human embryos.

"I'll be making that decision," Bush said before beginning a round of golf at a course about 20 miles from his Crawford ranch. "I'm making that announcement when I'm ready to make that announcement."

Aides said the president knows his decision could have ramifications for the country for the next 20 to 30 years, and that is why he is taking his time. Previously, Bush has said he wants to make a decision before Congress returns from its August recess.

Bush is being very "deliberative," talking to people on "all sides of this issue," Scott McClellan, White House deputy press secretary, told reporters.

The president also said he is spending time preparing for next month's state visit of Mexican President Vicente Fox and working on immigration policy.

Bush has received a proposal from his advisers to allow up to 3 million immigrants from Mexico living in the United States illegally to be granted legal resident status. That proposal was quickly criticized by those who say it should be expanded to include immigrants from all countries, and conservatives who say there should be no rewards for people who break the law to make it into the country.

Beyond work, Bush said he's enjoying spending time on his ranch, making it clear it will be the place he'll return to after he leaves the White House.

"It'll be the house where I live in for the rest of my life," the president said. The president, commenting on his first six months in office, said he and his aides made "a lot of progress...a lot more than a lot of people thought," although Bush added that he found Washington "a lot more partisan" than Austin.

"People up there just like to dig in and fight," said Bush. "I think eventually, over time, if I stay persistent, that we'll erode that intransigence in Washington, D.C."

Jokingly, the president said the sweltering Texas heat is fine with him, especially when compared with the political heat in Washington.

"There's no political heat here," he said.

The president played golf with Texas state Sen. David Sibley, a Republican, and two Texas surgeons. On the way to the course, Bush received his daily intelligence briefings.

The president plans to spend the rest of the day on his ranch. He said he enjoys being outside and not confined to the White House.

"You know, Washington, D.C., is a fine place, and I'm honored to be working in the Oval Office, and staying in the compound there, but I'm the kind of person that needs to get outdoors," he said. "I like to be outdoors, I like to work outdoors. It keeps my mind whole, it keeps my spirits up....I find that to be a good part of keeping me a balanced person."

On Wednesday, the president travels to nearby Waco, to help build a home for a low-income family, with the group, Habitat for Humanity. This is the first of a series of events during the month of August where aides say the president will be talking to the American people in informal settings.

"These are more informal settings where you really get to discuss issues that are important to the American people," said McClellan. "I think the American people realize the importance of the president getting out of Washington, D.C., and listening to their concerns."

Bush also plans trips to Colorado, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and San Antonio, Texas.