Q Going back to Greenspan's testimony this week, how does the
specific comment, that the dividend tax cut should be revenue-neutral,
offsetting the budget -- how does that specific comment complicate the
administration's efforts to sell the economic package?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, I think it's going to make it much harder for
Democrats to say that dividend taxes -- double-taxation of dividends
should not be eliminated because Mr. Greenspan has said that he's in
favor of it. The rules of the Senate will remain in force. And, of
course, that's up to the United States senators to determine what they
pay for and pay-go rules are. Given the current situation, the
President will continue to adhere to the budget procedures laid out
which deal with pay-go.
Q Do you think, though, that it makes it harder to get any kind
of support from the Democrats? They are focusing on the deficit --
MR. FLEISCHER: I think, as you hard from the Chairman of the
Senate Finance Committee this week, and as other Republicans who joined
the President here at the White House, they have high cause to be
optimistic that in the end the President is going to get what he sought
or not -- much of what he sought, if not all of what he sought.
Q Ari, going back to the President's call to General Musharraf
of Pakistan, if there was any discussion or the President asked him
that Pakistan is gearing up for terrorists and he's -- terrorists, and
they might be --
MR. FLEISCHER: The President, of course, is concerned about any
situation involving terrorism there. President Musharraf has been a
great ally in fighting terrorism in Pakistan.
THE PRESS: Thank you.
MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you. The President is speaking now.
END 1:22 P.M. EST