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Q. Senator Kerry was one of — I have a two-part — Senator Kerry was one of only 14 members of the Senate who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, because, he claims, it is, in his words, gay bashing. Yet Kerry keeps announcing that he opposes gay marriage. And the Boston Globe now reports that he supported an amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution to ban gay marriage. And my question: Does the President disagree with the Bush-Cheney campaign statement that this is “hypocritical”?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: The Bush-Cheney campaign is the President’s campaign.

Q. So he doesn’t disagree. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I think you’ve heard the President’s views on marriage. You heard them earlier today. I think he stated it very well.

Q. — about the hypocrisy, that’s what I was saying.

MR. McCLELLAN: You know that if you’ve got campaign questions, you can direct those to the campaign.

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: …Mark, this must be good.

Q. Yes, it’s a good one. (Laughter.) Tell us why –

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s what scares me. (Laughter.)

Q. Me, too. Tell us why the President only wants to give the 9/11 Commission an hour to question him.

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Q. Can I follow on the U.N. story? Can you deny or confirm the allegation that the UK did the spying at the request of the U.S.? And secondly, The Washington Post report about the CIA practice in the Reagan administration against Russia, is the practice about exporting flawed technology for intelligence purposes –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, let me — the first part, again, on the United Kingdom issue, I think the United Kingdom has addressed that issue. And like the United Kingdom, like others in this administration, I do not get into a discussion of intelligence matters, for national security reasons. And I would not read anything into that, one way or the other, when I say that. It’s just a matter of policy.

Q. But is the U.S. still exporting flawed technology for intelligence purposes to sabotage other countries? (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Nice try, but — go ahead, Les.

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Q. Can you characterize a little bit their personal chemistry?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: It was a very constructive meeting. I think you heard directly from the President of the United States about their relationship. We appreciate the fact that Germany is a partner in leadership on many of our common challenges, and working to build a better and safer world.

Q. What did the Chancellor do that’s so funny? (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: You can direct that question to the President the next time you see him.

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: She just jumped right in on you, Terry. You lost out again.

Q. I’m sorry. But it’s a follow-up.

MR. McCLELLAN: Apologize to him, not me. It was his turn next. But go ahead.

Q. Sorry, Terry.

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Q. I have one more question on an unrelated matter. From our affiliate here in the District, is the President drinking Washington, D.C. water? The concern, of course, is over lead levels in the water.

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Yes, I understand. And that’s obviously an issue that needs to be addressed to the District. I’m not going to get into a discussion of the President’s eating or drinking habits. (Laughter.)

Q. Are you able to say whether the water that comes into the White House is Washington, D.C. water, or is it a separate source?

MR. McCLELLAN: I’m not going to get into addressing those matters.

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Q. Scott, if I can go back to Terry’s question for a moment. Aside from Representative DeLay –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Terry Hunt or Terry Moran?

Q. I’m sorry, Terry Moran.

Q. The real Terry. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Oh, oh. (Laughter.)

Q. I thought I was Team Terry.

MR. McCLELLAN: Not anymore. Division in the press briefing. (Laughter.)

Q. When Terry Moran cited Representative DeLay’s questioning of support in –

MR. McCLELLAN: He’s already had his question, Scott. (Laughter.)

…

MR. McCLELLAN: Sorry?

Q The “false Terry” has some breaking news. (Laughter.)

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Q. And what is it, in your understanding, that he did say?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I don’t interpret Chairman Greenspan’s remarks. Thank you for the opportunity, though. (Laughter.)

Q. Well, I ask the question because you’re the President’s Press Secretary and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve made comments –

MR. McCLELLAN: We don’t comment on the Reserve.

Q. Do you believe that he, anywhere in his comments, suggested that Social Security benefits should be cut for future retirees?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I have not seen the full context of his remarks. I’m telling you what the President’s views are. I was asked a question about the deficit and Social Security benefits.

Q. And would the President support changes in the cost-of-living adjustments?

MR. McCLELLAN: You’re talking about on Social Security?

Q. Yes.

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I refer you back to the President’s principles. I think I’ve already discussed the key principles in his plan to save and strengthen Social Security for the future.

Q. I asked you because there’s a question about it because the Chairman made some remarks, and at the end of his testimony, a member of Congress asked him about the way the wires were interpreting his remarks. And he responded by saying, I am not urging Social Security cuts.

MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, well, then you have it from the Chairman. (Laughter.) I don’t interpret his remarks.

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Q. One more on the threat the President sees from gay marriage. What is, in the President’s view, a greater threat to this enduring institution of marriage, a same-sex couple establishing a stable marriage, or the staggering divorce rate, the out-of-wedlock birth level and travesties like Britney Spear’s marital fiasco? (Laughter.) What –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: There are so many different things in there, but –

Q. And then what is he going to do — which is the greater threat?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think — look back to the President’s State of the Union address, and he talked about the importance of values that we hold so dearly in this country. And he talked about the importance of changing our culture, and ushering in a responsibility era. He’s long held those views.

Q. So he would like to see a lower divorce rate, lower out-of-wedlock births, and Britney Spears behave herself? (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, actually, I think if you look at some of the steps that we’ve taken in the welfare reform reauthorization, we have proposals in there to help strengthen marriage and help individuals.

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Q. Scott, since the campaign has now begun, and since there is now –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: It began for you all a long time ago. (Laughter.)

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: There are plenty of media critics, and I’m not one.

Q. Just to follow up a little bit on what Dana asked a minute ago –

MR. McCLELLAN: Maybe there are not enough, but — just kidding. (Laughter.)

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Q. We know the President married well and we know he has trouble with English, but does he really have big biceps? (Laughter.)

SCOTT McCLELLAN: No, but you did bring up an issue that the President feels strongly about, and that is to promote healthy choices. And it’s something he has been very committed to, leading by example on.

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Q. Scott, on Thursday, is that a policy trip, a presidential trip? Or is that a campaign trip?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: There’s both. I think he’s got a conversation on the economy. We’ll try to get you in there. (Laughter.) And then he’s got some –

Q. Can’t wait. (Laughter.)

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Q. On the 9/11 Commission, why — you’ve indicated that the President has agreed to a private meeting with the co-chairs of the commission. Why is the President unwilling to meet with the entire commission? And why, at this point, is he unwilling to provide public testimony? What’s his position on this?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: A couple of things. One, let me get to the first part of your question. The chairman and vice-chairman of the 9/11 Commission sent a letter requesting a private session with the President. The President agreed to the request. We believe that all the necessary information could be provided in that private meeting. In terms of the actual details, we are still discussing those details for that private session with the chairman and vice-chairman. That’s where it stands at this point.

Q. How is that going? (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: It’s ongoing; it’s going.

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Q. So how loud was cheering yesterday when Ralph Nader announced he was getting into the race? (Laughter.)

SCOTT McCLELLAN: John, I think that’s all part of our democracy. It’s been interesting to watch some the reaction. The great thing is that, in the end, it’s the voters who get to decide.

Q. Are you looking at what happened in the 2000 race as an indicator of what could happen this year?

MR. McCLELLAN: John, I think we’ll leave the political analysis to all the pundits.

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