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SCOTT McCLELLAN: And, John, I’m going to walk out on your newscast tonight. (Laughter.)

. . . Q. I’m back.

MR. McCLELLAN: Thank you. Okay, I’ll watch you tonight.

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Q. And then I just have one other question. This morning, he raised an allegation I had not heard before, which is that he says that in the presidential directive which President Bush signed after September 11th, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld requested and received within the four corners of that document, a presidential order to prepare plans for the invasion of Iraq. Is that true?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: This is another example of his revisionist history. As we have said, the President made it very clear that his decision at Camp David was to — this was in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks — was to go after the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan. And we also should keep in context that during this time period, Iraq continued to shoot daily at our pilots and remained a threat to the United States. Mr. Clarke even pointed out, himself, that Iraq was a serious threat. And he talked about Iraq’s history in just — in the recent past. I quoted you some of his remarks yesterday.

Q. But the presidential directive following the attacks of September 11th focused on counterterrorism and how the United States was going to, as you put it, eliminate al Qaeda –

MR. McCLELLAN: Remember, at the National Security Council meeting –

Q. — did that include — did that include a directive to the Defense Department to prepare plans for the invasion of Iraq?

MR. McCLELLAN: The invasion of Iraq — the decision to go to war in Iraq, as you know, came at a much later time. But obviously, Iraq –

Q. But he’s making the charge that the President was already directing the Pentagon to prepare plans to invade Iraq.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, but, obviously — and Mr. Clarke acknowledges, himself, in his recent past that Iraq was a threat. He met — he sat down and met with Dr. Rice shortly after he left the White House, and nowhere did he raise a concern about the action that we were taking in Iraq. And that was right at the time period when we were confronting the threat posed by — posed by the former regime.

Q. He’s right that in October — in October of 2001, when the President signed this directive, the President was directing the Pentagon to prepare plans for the invasion of Iraq?

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s why I said, that’s part — that’s part of his revisionist history.

Q. That’s not true?

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s part of his revisionist history, that’s what I’m saying –

Q. Are you saying it’s not true?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, that’s right. I am.

Q. You are saying that it’s not true?

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s part of — that’s just his revisionist history to make suggestions like that. He knows that at that point that our focus was on going — was on Afghanistan and removing the Taliban and taking away the safe haven for al Qaeda.

Q. You are saying from that lectern that he did — that the President did not sign an order to prepare to invade Iraq at that time?

MR. McCLELLAN: No.

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Q. A new book has just been published, written by John Podhoretz of the New York Post and Fox News. It’s entitled, “Bush Country: How Dubya Became a Great President While Driving Liberals Insane.” And my question, is the President familiar with this book, and if so, does he like it?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: We’re getting into every single book. Anybody else have any books they want to bring up today? (Laughter.)

Q. Is he aware of this book?

MR. McCLELLAN: Anybody writing any books in this room that I should be aware of? (Laughter.)

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Q. And, also, is Tony Blair coming to the ranch sometime soon?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: As you know, we always keep you posted if there are any updates to the schedule.

Q. Well, I thought you might make an exception.

MR. McCLELLAN: No. Nice try. (Laughter.)

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Q. Scott, French President Chirac had some comments today. He called for solidarity –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I was looking at David, but –

Q. I know, but he didn’t jump on it. (Laughter.)

Q. I’ll try to be faster.

Q. He called for solidarity in the war against terrorism, but he also said it’s essential to deal with poverty –

MR. McCLELLAN: I don’t just reward people who speak up.

Q. — with other issues that breed, that provide a fertile breeding ground for terrorists. Is that the right message to be sending?

MR. McCLELLAN: It’s exactly what the President of the United States is doing…

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: …Obviously, on his comments about Iraq, we strongly disagree. The coalition strongly disagrees. Most of the Iraqi people strongly disagree. Twenty-five million Iraqis have been liberated from a brutal and oppressive regime.

Q. How do you know that?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, Terry’s network has actually done a little bit of looking into that.

Q. Yes, I don’t trust — (laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Not that I always put my confidence in your polls. (Laughter.) …

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Q. Scott, two questions. First about your predecessor, Ari Fleischer. There’s a report in Roll Call –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: He’s a good man. I learned a lot from him.

Q. Well, there’s a report in Roll Call this week saying that he has set up a consulting firm on K Street to help corporations navigate the political channels in Washington.

MR. McCLELLAN: I thought you were going to ask about the book he’s writing about the relationships with the media.

Q. The question I had, actually, this report says that he’s charging corporations $30,000 a month, and he’s demanding a two-year contract. And I’m wondering if you have ever been tempted to bail from this and attracted to the lucre that –

MR. McCLELLAN: Have I ever been tempted to bail from this? Just about every day, Russell. (Laughter.) But I have no future plans, at this point.

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Q. Thank you. First of all, I hope the grand jury didn’t force you to turn over the wedding card I sent to you and your wife. (Laughter.)…

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Q. But in those cases he was just protecting unfair trade practices?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I think we answered the reasons he made those decisions, and because of the economic needs.

Q. So is he an economic isolationist in some cases? (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Do you have a question within that?

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Q. That statement you read on Iraq going out on paper in Washington?

TRENT DUFFY: Yes, it –

Q. Before we hit the ground? So we don’t have to dictate it in.

MR. DUFFY: I’ll check on that. I don’t know the answer.

Q. If you put it out, that would help us out.

MR. DUFFY: We’re going to put it out as soon as we can.

Q. Can we get a hard copy also before we land? Is that possible?

MR. DUFFY: Doubtful. We’re going to land in about 10 seconds. (Laughter.)

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Q. Jim, spell your last name.

DIRECTOR TOWEY: It’s T-o-w-e-y.

SCOTT McCLELLAN: All right, thanks Jim.

DIRECTOR TOWEY: Thank you.

MR. McCLELLAN: I think Jim used up all the gaggle time, so thanks. (Laughter.)

Q. Popular demand here.

MR. McCLELLAN: Hey, that’s a great tie. My wife got me –

Q. Is he going to see Arnold?

MR. McCLELLAN: Something about a five-hour flight. You don’t have to wear the tie on the flight.

Q. Hey, Josh, could the President win — Josh, I’m thinking about Josh.

MR. McCLELLAN: Josh? Okay, you want Josh. (Laughter.)

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Q. Right. Assistant Secretary Noriega said last night that Aristide was pathological, erratic and unreliable. Does the President think Aristide is some kind of a crackpot? (Laughter.)

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I think I’ve described the President’s views from this podium, and I would leave it at that.

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Q. Yes, but there were some third-party reports that were coming out of Haiti, which could be specious, as they go up the telephone chain, but this is coming directly from Aristide. What do you think he’s up to here? Is he trying to save face?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I don’t speak for Mr. Aristide, I speak for the President and this administration.

Q. Are you denying — are you denying that he was kidnapped?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I just said it’s complete nonsense. (Laughter.)

Q. Why don’t you just say it didn’t — it’s not true?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think I just did. I just said it’s complete nonsense.

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