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    QUESTION: Americans have heard it before: "There's going to be cooperation; we're going to get along." What can you do to show Americans that you'll stop and avoid any gridlock, because they've seen it come anyway? BUSH: Well, you know, we had some pretty good success early on in this administration. We got the No Child Left Behind Act passed, which is an important piece of bipartisan legislation. We got some tax cuts passed with Democrat votes. ... Look, let me -- all right, I'm anxious, but, you know -- but -- so we've just now got to show people we're capable of doing it. I mean, you're right. I mean, people are skeptical. And the way you defeat skepticism is perform. And I was very pleased with my conversation with Congresswoman Pelosi. It was a very gracious conversation, albeit a little early in the morning, I must confess. But, nevertheless, it was a good one. And my fault since I was the person who initiated the call. But I do believe we can get some things done. I think we can set an agenda. I hope so. I hope so. I didn't come to Washington just to occupy the office. I came to get some positive things done on behalf of the country. And there are some big issues we got to deal with. No Child Left Behind is one. Entitlements. That's going to be an interesting issue to try to deal with. And it's going to be very important in entitlements for people to feel comfortable about bringing ideas to the table, and people being Republicans and Democrats. If we do not have Republicans and Democrats at the table for entitlements, nothing is going to happen. And, therefore, I instructed [Treasury] Secretary [Henry] Paulson to reach out to folks on the Hill to see if we can't at least get a dialogue started that will enable us, hopefully, to move forward on a very important issue that will affect this country for a long time, if we don't solve it. And that is the unfunded liabilities inherent in these entitlement programs. We need to continue to talk about energy. Dependency upon foreign oil is a national security and economic security problem. And it's a problem that requires bipartisan cooperation. I know the Democrats are concerned about this issue, as am I. So, in other words, there's areas where I believe we can get some important things done. And to answer your question, though: How do we convince Americans that we're able to do it? Do it; that's how you do it. You get something done. You actually sit down, work together, and I sign legislation that we all agree on. And my pledge today is I'll work hard to try to see if we can't get that done. QUESTION: I want to ask you about the thumping that you took in yesterday's rodeo. You said you were disappointed, you were surprised... BUSH: See, there you go. QUESTION: You said you were ... BUSH: You notice that -- taking one ... QUESTION: That was thumpin' without a "g," correct? I just want to make sure we have it right for the transcript. You said you were surprised. You didn't see it coming. You were disappointed in the outcome. Does that indicate that after six years in the Oval Office you're out of touch with America for something like this kind of wave to come and you not expect it? And on a semi-related note, does Nancy Pelosi look much like Bob Bullock to you? BUSH: It's an inside joke; I'm not commenting on it. Secondly, I'm an optimistic person. That's what I am. And I knew we were going to lose seats. I just didn't know how many. QUESTION: How could you not know that and not be out of touch? BUSH: You didn't know it either. QUESTION: A lot of the polls showed it. BUSH: Well, there was -- I read those same polls. And believed -- I thought when it was all said and done, the American people would understand the importance of taxes and the importance of security. But the people have spoken, and now it's time for us to move on. QUESTION: Mr. President, you mentioned entitlements. And one of the big hot-button issues for the Democratic Party is Social Security and the idea of partial privatization, which you have talked about. And I wonder if there's anything in your agenda in that way that you're willing to adjust in the spirit of bipartisanship or back off from, given how important that is to the core of the Democratic Party? BUSH: I told him -- I told Hank Paulson to tell the members that we'd sit down and we'd listen to everybody's ideas. I put out my ideas, as you recall, I think, in the State of the Union last time. And we want to hear their ideas. And hopefully, out of this concept of folks sitting around a table sharing ways forward, that we will come up with commonality that we're able to then say to the American people we've helped solve this problem. It's a tough issue. Look, I fully understand how hard it is. Social Security is -- you know, people are generally risk-averse when it comes time to Social Security. My problem with that is that the longer you wait, the more difficult the issue's going to become. And so I'm going to keep pushing it. And hopefully, you know, we can get something done. QUESTION: A little earlier, you said that you truly believe that the Democratic leaders care about the security of this country as much as you do. Yet just about at every campaign stop, you expressed pretty much the opposite. You talked about them having a different mindset ... BUSH: I did. QUESTION: ... about having a different philosophy, about waiting, about being happy that America gets attacked before responding. BUSH: No, what did you just say? Happy? QUESTION: You said they will be satisfied to see America ... BUSH: No, I didn't say "happy." Let's make sure ... QUESTION: You left that impression. Forgive me. BUSH: With you. Go ahead. QUESTION: Well, I'm wondering: Looking back at the campaign and previous campaigns, do you think that it's been harder to pull the country together after the election by making such partisan attacks about national security? BUSH: I do believe they care about the security. I disagree -- I don't -- I thought they were wrong not making sure our professionals had the tools. And I still believe that. I don't see how you can protect the country unless you give these professionals tools. They just have a different point of view. That doesn't mean, you know, they don't want America to get attacked. That's why I said what I said. QUESTION: On immigration, many Democrats had more positive things to say about your comprehensive proposal than many Republicans did. Do you think a Democratic Congress gives you a better shot at comprehensive immigration reform? BUSH: You know, I should've brought this up. I do. I think we have a good chance. Thank you. It's an important issue, and I hope we can get something done on it. I meant to put that in my list of things that we need to get done. I would hope Republicans have recognized that we've taken very strong security measures to address one aspect of comprehensive immigration reform. BUSH: And I was talking to [Homeland Security] Secretary [Michael] Chertoff today. You know, he thinks that these measures we're taking are beginning to have measurable effects and that catch-and-release has virtually been ended over the last couple of months. And that's positive, and that's what some members were concerned about prior to advancing a comprehensive bill. In other words, they said, "Show me progress on the border, and then we'll be interested in talking about other aspects." Well, there is progress being made on the border in terms of security, and I would hope we can get something done. It's a vital issue. It's an issue that there's an issue where I believe we can find some common ground with the Democrats. QUESTION: What are the odds for a guest-worker provision? BUSH: Well, that's got to be an integral part of a comprehensive plan. When you're talking comprehensive immigration reform, one part of it is a guest-worker program, where people can come on a temporary basis to do jobs Americans are not doing. I've always felt like that's been an important aspect of securing the border. In other words, if somebody's not trying to sneak in in the first place, it decreases the workload on our Border Patrol and lets the Border Patrol focus on drugs and guns and terrorists. But I appreciate you bringing that up. I should have remembered it. Listen, thank you all very much for your time. I appreciate your interest. |
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