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Q. And the same question yesterday about who was out there at the ranch. You were going to look into other –

TRENT DUFFY: Friends and family and senior staff.

Q. How is he going to spend New Year’s? Don’t say, with friends and family and senior staff. (Laughter.)

Q. And Barney.

Q. Just any color? If you don’t have anything now, that’s fine, but any color stuff at all on how he’s going to spend New Year’s would be great.

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Q. Yesterday we asked you about whether or not the government has made any overtures to President Musharraf since he survived the second of two assassination attempts on — against him in 11 days. It just would stagger our minds if the United States government hadn’t done anything to reach out to the man. I know you would be offended if the circumstances were reversed. (Laughter.) Could you tell us about any overtures whatsoever, from the United States government to President Musharraf since Christmas day?

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Q. Anything specific that he’s doing that you can tell us? Fishing — (laughter) — any sort of –

TRENT DUFFY: He is working at the ranch, doing the typical cedar clearing and cutting, I believe, today. I saw him toss a few horseshoes to Barney.

Q. At Barney? (Laughter.)

MR. DUFFY: Barney is a pretty good horseshoe player.

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Q. Trent, should we expect the President to make a traditional cheese burger stop on New Year’s Eve at the Coffee Station, as he has in years past?

TRENT DUFFY: I have no updates to the President’s schedule. But borrowing a line from past gaggles, if we have something to announce, we’ll announce it. (Laughter.) I’ve been waiting all my whole career to say that. (Laughter.)

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Q. Thank you, I have a Les-type question today.

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Should we stop this now?

Q. Yes. (Laughter.)

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Q. Is the President anticipating any public events while he’s in Crawford?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: There’s nothing to announce at this point — nor any overseas trips, if that’s what you’re getting at. (Laughter.)

Q. A dinner menu coming out?

MR. McCLELLAN: We’ll be around, so we’ll keep you posted.

Q. When he’s been in Israel, has he ever gone to the textile factory?

MR. McCLELLAN: You’ve had your questions. This is the holiday season. No jumping in and interrupting. (Laughter.)

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Q. …Also I would like to thank, as we enter the new year, we end 2003, I am very thankful to my colleagues here at the White House press corps, all their help and cooperation, also the White House press office and President Bush and you. My question is –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: We wish all of you a happy holiday, too. (Laughter.) I appreciate the cooperation I’m receiving from everybody here. (Laughter.)

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Q. Those are two good answers. (Laughter.)

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, they were two good questions, Les.

Q. One-part question. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead.

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Q. Scott, I have a two-part. In his interview with ABC –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Do you ever have a one-part?

Q. I don’t get six parts like lots of people in the front row?

MR. McCLELLAN: But Jim was being very nice. He had a smile on his face today.

Q. I’ll smile, too.

MR. McCLELLAN: This administration doesn’t believe in pointing fingers, Les. Let’s try to raise the tone in here, too.

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: No, not at all, for the reasons I’ve just stated. And like I said, he ran over Thanksgiving, and ran on the treadmill and ran outside at the ranch in Crawford.

Q. — running for reelection? (Laughter.)

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Q. But you’re cherry-picking what you want to hear –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I think you are cherry picking.

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Q. Does he know that he’s now in his mid-50s? (Laughter.)

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I think, as you’ve seen from previous physicals, that he’s showing the wear and tear of someone who’s active and someone of his age. And it’s important, as he has always said, or as he has said, particularly going back to the calf strain, that it’s important for someone his age to listen to his body and to heed the signals which your body is telling you.

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: …Go ahead Sarah — April. Just making sure you’re paying attention. Some of these guys in the front row keep talking, and they’re not paying attention.

Q. We’re capable of multi-tasking.

MR. McCLELLAN: Good point, good point, but don’t take any silverware Thursday.

Q. Oooh!

MR. McCLELLAN: Hey, I’m just reiterating what the President said.

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Q. Does the President plan to have at the White House the soldiers who actually captured Saddam Hussein? Perhaps the one who said, “President Bush sends his regards,” should he be hired as a presidential speechwriter? (Laughter.)

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, one we’ve got a –

Q. Press secretary. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Whoa, whoa, whoa. I made the comment about Gregory, not about you, Ed. (Laughter.)

MR. GREGORY: You don’t hear that from me, do you?

MR. McCLELLAN: Certainly some more colorful quotes than I give.

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: No comments from the front row here. I’ll come comment while you’re on tonight. (Laughter.)

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