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Q. Just one other question on diversity. Clearly, there has been when it comes to race and ethnicity. Can we expect any philosophical diversity in the weeks ahead in the Bush Cabinet?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: As opposed to?

Q. The lack thereof? (Laughter.)

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Q. Just one other question on diversity. Clearly, there has been when it comes to race and ethnicity. Can we expect any philosophical diversity in the weeks ahead in the Bush Cabinet?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: As opposed to?

Q. The lack thereof? (Laughter.)

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Q. I have a personal comment first, before my question. It was a great message, Thanksgiving message from the President. Also, pardoning one turkey in the White House. But I hope next year thanking the, whatever, God, or (inaudible) or the turkey, I hope that next year he will pardon all the turkeys for one day, at least nobody will eat
turkey. . .

SCOTT McCLELLAN: It was a stand-in, so he really pardoned two. (Laughter.)

Q But I hope next year all will be pardoned for a day.

Q. But he did eat turkey, right?

MR. McCLELLAN: What’s your question?

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Q. I have a personal comment first, before my question. It was a great message, Thanksgiving message from the President. Also, pardoning one turkey in the White House. But I hope next year thanking the, whatever, God, or (inaudible) or the turkey, I hope that next year he will pardon all the turkeys for one day, at least nobody will eat
turkey. . .

SCOTT McCLELLAN: It was a stand-in, so he really pardoned two. (Laughter.)

Q But I hope next year all will be pardoned for a day.

Q. But he did eat turkey, right?

MR. McCLELLAN: What’s your question?

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Q. Back on the transition and the changes in the Cabinet. This is not speculation. The First Lady said, just a couple of hours ago, that there will be “a lot” of changes. What does that “a lot” mean, and how –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: That’s interesting. The President said there would be changes a few weeks ago.

Q. But she said, “a lot.”

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there have been some changes made. And, again, I point out
that –

Q. She said, “a lot.”

MR. McCLELLAN: April, the President said there would be changes. I don’t know what your question is.

Q. The question is, what are these, “a lot” of changes, and how long will this “a lot” go on for? Will it go on beyond inauguration? I mean, you say it’s a process. How long is this process?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he’s moving forward in a quick and deliberate manner. There’s not a time frame put on it, as I discussed a week ago when we were all here. The President is looking at his team and looking at the makeup of his team for a second term. He’s continuing to make decisions. There continue to be conversations with members of his team to see what their thoughts are, as well.

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Q. Back on the transition and the changes in the Cabinet. This is not speculation. The First Lady said, just a couple of hours ago, that there will be “a lot” of changes. What does that “a lot” mean, and how –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: That’s interesting. The President said there would be changes a few weeks ago.

Q. But she said, “a lot.”

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, there have been some changes made. And, again, I point out
that –

Q. She said, “a lot.”

MR. McCLELLAN: April, the President said there would be changes. I don’t know what your question is.

Q. The question is, what are these, “a lot” of changes, and how long will this “a lot” go on for? Will it go on beyond inauguration? I mean, you say it’s a process. How long is this process?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he’s moving forward in a quick and deliberate manner. There’s not a time frame put on it, as I discussed a week ago when we were all here. The President is looking at his team and looking at the makeup of his team for a second term. He’s continuing to make decisions. There continue to be conversations with members of his team to see what their thoughts are, as well.

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Q. Of the four nominations or appointments the President has made, two have been Hispanics. Is this a way of saying thank you for the 44 percent vote that he got?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Well, look, the President –

Q. Or a way of saying “please.” (Laughter.)

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Q. The Canadians are going to serve the President Canadian beef for dinner. Is he eating it? (Laughter.)

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Q. I’m duty bound to ask if there’s any White House comment about the announcement that Dan Rather is stepping down as anchor of the evening news?

CLAIRE BUCHAN: Well, Dan Rather has had a distinguished and long career as a journalist. I’m sure his — many of his viewers will miss him, and we wish him the best.

Q. Do those viewers include the President?

MS. BUCHAN: Any other questions? (Laughter.)

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Q. — the President traveling, and where, on Thanksgiving Day?

CLAIRE BUCHAN: You’re probably asking the wrong person, but — (laughter) –

Q. Anyway, you’re who we have, right?

MS. BUCHAN: You must have a short memory.

Q. Yes, well, short and wounded.

MS. BUCHAN: I expect that you’ll be able to enjoy a leisurely week here.

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Q. The President is now going to be traveling for, oh, the next 10 days. Should we expect any Cabinet resignations or appointments?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: See, you asked this yesterday and I said I’m not going to do this every day. (Laughter.)

Q. Well, if you do it today, then you don’t have to do it for the next 10 days. (Laughter.) We promise. There is an embargo on future questions if you just say “no.” (Laughter.)

Q. Is it safe to say the pace is going to slow down? How should we view it?

MR. McCLELLAN: We will keep you posted. There is nothing else I’m aware of for today.

Q. You guys heard him, we can ask him every day. (Laughter.)

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Q. Scott, what are the President’s plans for his own presidential library? Where is he going to put it?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I think it’s way too premature to start getting into talk about his presidential library. If the election had turned out the other way, maybe it wouldn’t be — (laughter) — but it’s a little early to start talking about his presidential library, or speculating about where it may be.

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MR. McCLELLAN: …Les, how are you?

Q. I’m fine. (Laughter.) Thank you. Since the President once ran a professional baseball team and he is now at least a part-time resident of the District of Columbia, does he believe that the taxpayers should be beaned to build a new stadium for a privately-owned baseball –

MR. McCLELLAN: Those are local decisions, and I don’t think — I haven’t heard the — I haven’t discussed it –

Q. But he’s the President and a baseball man.

MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, you ask me the questions and then you always jump in, in the middle of my response. (Laughter.) You know the kind of precedence that sets for others in this room. (Laughter.)

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Q. Scott, I don’t want to drag this issue any more after today, but I just want to bring — it was important to bring –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: The Cabinet issue?

Q. No, no, no. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: Can we all agree?

Q. — to the attention of the President –

MR. McCLELLAN: We all have fun during this time period.

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Q. So the description that the President “scolded” his CIA Director for the bad publicity coming out of the CIA in the last few days, would that be an accurate representation?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I don’t know who is making that suggestion, but I don’t think that they have an idea of what’s going on.

Q. So you’re saying, no, he didn’t scold him, Scott?

MR. McCLELLAN: No. Go ahead.

Q. Wait, do you want to finish that? Do you want to finish with John?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don’t know where that’s coming from. I certainly have not heard anything of that nature.

Q. Then are you saying, no, he didn’t scold him?

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s what I just said, John. I have no idea where that’s coming from.

Q. Okay. I just wanted to hear the answer. Assuming Tommy Thompson and Tom Ridge resign in the next day or so, that means that more than half — (laughter) — I’m not asking you to address that, I’m not asking you –

MR. McCLELLAN: You’re just asking me to assume that. (Laughter.)

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