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Q. The Gallup Poll has just reported that on the question why — who do you regard as the greatest United States President, Bill Clinton is tied with President Bush for third, at 11 percent, receiving more votes than three of the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore, and more votes than President Reagan. And my question: Does the President, as the nation’s chief law enforcer, still believe it was wise and just to tolerate the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York not even giving a report on the three-year-old criminal investigation of President Clinton’s pardongate?

ARI FLEISCHER: Lester, that is one of the most bizarre bank shots I have ever heard. (Laughter.)

Q. Has there been any report? He was charged, it’s a criminal investigation, pardongate.

MR. FLEISCHER: The President is looking forwards, not backwards, and I would highly recommend that to you, as well.

Q. He’s just going to just drop it? It’s just been dropped, right?

MR. FLEISCHER: If you’re asking judicial questions, you know the appropriate people to ask.

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Q. My question is, when the President goes to the G8 in Evian, will he drink that famous bottled water, or will he bring his own? (Laughter.)

ARI FLEISCHER: You got me stumped. We will try to have a pool event so you can watch his water drinking habits and report for yourself. (Laughter.)

Q. Also, will he substitute –

MR. FLEISCHER: Sarah, you’re up to three. You said you had two.

Q. — California wine for French wine, or will he enjoy his Texas tequila? (Laughter.)

MR. FLEISCHER: I think he will partake in none of the above.

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Q. As for the bombing in Saudi Arabia is concerned, if I am correct, this was the first time the Saudis have acknowledged that there is a terrorism and terrorists kill innocent people because this is the first time that maybe they were hit at home. And I hope the President will carry a message with him on his trip to the Middle East that the Saudis will stop harboring the terrorists like they did before 9/11 and after 9/11. And also, at the same time, they will stop funding the families of the suicide bombers. And question, what is the President is going to talk about –

ARI FLEISCHER: I thought you — describing your hope. (Laughter) …

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ARI FLEISCHER: Good afternoon. Where is everybody? (Laughter.) Looks like we need to have a two-for-one sale on reporters. Wait a minute. Here’s one. We can now begin.

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Q. And you briefing — will you brief tomorrow or Sunday?

ARI FLEISCHER: The “cherubic one” will be here Saturday and Sunday, so I would refer to more cherubic officials.

Q. Subject of the radio address?

MR. FLEISCHER: Subject of the radio address? It will be riveting. (Laughter.) Okay, if nothing else –

Q. He’s going to talk about riveting? (Laughter.)

MR. FLEISCHER: If nothing else, I hope everybody has a very happy and relaxing Memorial Day Weekend. Thanks.

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Q. Did you misspeak when you said Greensboro, Georgia? You meant North Carolina, didn’t you?

ARI FLEISCHER: I did not misspeak. It is, indeed, Greensboro, Georgia. That was my first question — is did my piece of paper misspeak, Reed Dickens — and he assures me the piece of paper did not misspeak, it says, Greensboro, Georgia because it is Greensboro, Georgia. Greensboro, Georgia is located in Greensboro, Georgia. (Laughter.)

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ARI FLEISCHER: …On Tuesday, the President will welcome to the White House the 2002 World Champion –bla-bla-bla — (laughter.)

Q. I want to see that in the transcript. (Laughter.)

MR. FLEISCHER: That is spelled *&@!

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Q. While you’re at it, ask him if he thinks Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

ARI FLEISCHER: Ouch. (Laughter.) A hot-button topic. Please, go back to asking me about Iraq and WMD.

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ARI FLEISCHER: …And with that, I’m questionable. (Laughter.) I’m open to take questions. (Laughter.)

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Q. Do you have a successor yet?

ARI FLEISCHER: No, there’s nothing I can speculate about that. I do believe in cherubic figures. (Laughter.)

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Q. And if I could ask a separate question, Ari. I know you don’t speculate on personnel matters, but what kind of an individual will the President be looking for to — (laughter) — what’s the most important attribute –

ARI FLEISCHER: Patience. No, those will be judgments that the President makes. And whatever advice I give the President I’ll do so privately. It’s an important position. It’s an important matter for the President to consider, and he’ll consider it. But I’m going to have to go by what I always do, which is just not speculate about personnel.

Q. As to a question, I will defer to the lady on my left, but I do want to make a comment.

MR. FLEISCHER: Now, wait a minute, you’re not allowed two people from the same bureau in here today. (Laughter.)

Q. I’m only sitting here quietly because I wanted to make a personal comment, not ask a question. But I go back and have dealt with press secretaries since Jim Haggerty back under Eisenhower, and I’d just like to say that you’re very capable, good sense of humor, and foremost above all, you’re a nice guy and I shall personally miss you.

MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you very much.

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Q. Thank you. First of all I want to wish you lots of luck. Be happy, enjoy Becki, and get whatever you desire. (Laughter.) Now, my question. Could it be the resumption of the Cold War? Russian President Putin says Russian vodka can cure SARS. Does the President agree, and what about U.S. vodka or Kentucky bourbon?

ARI FLEISCHER: I’m sorry, I have not heard President Putin’s statement about vodka. There is much that vodka can cure. I don’t know about that.

Q. One of your predecessors, Gerald terHorst resigned as President Ford’s press secretary, he said as a matter of conscience, because he couldn’t defend President Ford’s pardon to President Nixon. I was wondering, is there anything President Bush has done as President that made you think, even for a moment, that you would resign as a matter of conscience.

MR. FLEISCHER: Never, no.

Q. Not for a moment.

MR. FLEISCHER: Not for a moment. Why should there be? This is man — like I said, this is a man in whom I believe deeply. One of the things that is so fascinating about this job is it is a job that is very hard to leave. There is a tremendous attraction to the White House. There is a tremendous sense of worth in serving a President of the United States, any President. It is a hard place to leave because it is such an attractive place to be, and especially when you work for a man, like President Bush, in whom I believe so deeply.

But ultimately, it still comes down to having a sense of yourself and knowing when it is time to go. And as I said this morning, I never intended to be a government-for-life type. I’ve done this for — entirely now for 21 years, and I’m looking forward to pursuing different adventures, different chapters, and spending more time the way most Americans do, which is quietly with your family.

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Q. Also, best of luck to you. We will miss you. Two questions on you, and one on Iraq –

ARI FLEISCHER: I’m still here for a couple more months.

Q. Do you expect, or do you recommend that Scott McClellan become your successor?

MR. FLEISCHER: As you know, I just don’t speculate about personnel.

Q. Do you plan to write a book or consult the President?

MR. FLEISCHER: I think what I plan to do next is, one, relax a little bit. And, two, what I will most likely do is I will be in Washington for the next couple years, maybe do a little speaking, maybe do a little writing, support in any way I possibly can the President so he can run for reelection and win. And then, eventually, head into the private sector; eventually, move back to Westchester to where I grew up. That’s probably what I’m thinking of today.

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Q. Ari, a question and some personal comments. I don’t know how –

ARI FLEISCHER: No personal comments, Goyle.

Q. I don’t know really how I thank you for your help and support, making me a better journalist. I learn every day from you. And you have been one of the best Secretaries in my 20 years in the White House I have seen. Smiling always, and always available and access to the press. And we will miss you, and especially I will miss you deeply. And I hope maybe we’ll meet some day somewhere, and it will be better than here.

MR. FLEISCHER: Thank you.

Q. The question is, is that — and I hope President Bush knows that.

MR. FLEISCHER: All right, thank you. (Laughter.)

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Q. On a lighter note, could you give us an idea of some of the things you’re going to be doing? And what were you thinking when you made the announcement –

ARI FLEISCHER: This must be a slow news day.

Q. What were you thinking when you made the announcement on a day that the Yankees are at Fenway Park and we’re not going to have much room for your story locally?

MR. FLEISCHER: Well, the President did kid me this morning. He said, the real reason you’re leaving is because the Rangers swept the Yankees. No, it’s — you know, I’m still hoping that I’ll be able to get to Yankee Stadium, take some grounders at short. Jeter is back, but we’ll see what I can do next.

Q. You said a few minutes ago wrestling alligators would be easier than this. It’s probably worth noting for the record that former Attorney General Reno, who grew up in Florida wrestling alligators, has not ruled out a return to politics, so that begs the question — (laughter.)

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