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Q Thank you. Scott, congratulations on your very calm and unflappable demeanor. I’m just wondering, are you happy in what you do — you look happy — do you feel pressured?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Most days. No, I’m just –

Q Have you ever considered resigning, stepping back from the hot –

MR. McCLELLAN: Look, I serve at the pleasure of the President, just like everybody else in this White House, and I’m just doing my part as one member of this team to help him advance an agenda that is optimistic and hopeful.

Q How are you feeling, for example, today?

MR. McCLELLAN: I feel pretty good.

Q Then we aren’t doing our job. (Laughter.)

Q Yes, what’s harder, serving at the pleasure of the President, or your mother? Which is it? (Laughter.) Seriously, on the judicial ticket –

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s an easy answer.

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Q Thank you. Scott, congratulations on your very calm and unflappable demeanor. I’m just wondering, are you happy in what you do — you look happy — do you feel pressured?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Most days. No, I’m just –

Q Have you ever considered resigning, stepping back from the hot –

MR. McCLELLAN: Look, I serve at the pleasure of the President, just like everybody else in this White House, and I’m just doing my part as one member of this team to help him advance an agenda that is optimistic and hopeful.

Q How are you feeling, for example, today?

MR. McCLELLAN: I feel pretty good.

Q Then we aren’t doing our job. (Laughter.)

Q Yes, what’s harder, serving at the pleasure of the President, or your mother? Which is it? (Laughter.) Seriously, on the judicial ticket –

MR. McCLELLAN: That’s an easy answer.

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Q Scott, what does the President want to talk to Prime Minister Berlusconi about Monday?

MR. McCLELLAN: Call me over the weekend. (Laughter.)

Q Really?

MR. McCLELLAN: Just him. (Laughter.)

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Q Scott, what does the President want to talk to Prime Minister Berlusconi about Monday?

MR. McCLELLAN: Call me over the weekend. (Laughter.)

Q Really?

MR. McCLELLAN: Just him. (Laughter.)

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Q Is it safe to say the next [Supreme Court] nominee is not going to be a White House employee? (Laughter.)

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Q Is it safe to say the next [Supreme Court] nominee is not going to be a White House employee? (Laughter.)

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Q Scott, just one question today. Since I presume the President is concerned with both education and equity, the trustees of American University here in Washington fired President Benjamin Landner and gave him a severance package of $3,750,000. And my question: Is the President at all concerned about this, or sympathetic with the students and faculty who are protesting?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Maybe I forgot to announce at the beginning, the American University press briefing will be later this afternoon. (Laughter.) But direct those questions over there.

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113041460408273498

Q Scott, just one question today. Since I presume the President is concerned with both education and equity, the trustees of American University here in Washington fired President Benjamin Landner and gave him a severance package of $3,750,000. And my question: Is the President at all concerned about this, or sympathetic with the students and faculty who are protesting?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Maybe I forgot to announce at the beginning, the American University press briefing will be later this afternoon. (Laughter.) But direct those questions over there.

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Q I’m just wondering — you know, he’s known as “Helicopter Ben,” because he once said to fight inflation he would fly over the country and throw money out of a helicopter. I’m wondering in the case of Katrina, did he suggest, you know, let’s throw $60 billion out of a helicopter, which would stimulate the economy, and now he’s in the position of going –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: He has not suggested throwing anything out of a helicopter to the President. (Laughter.)

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Q I’m just wondering — you know, he’s known as “Helicopter Ben,” because he once said to fight inflation he would fly over the country and throw money out of a helicopter. I’m wondering in the case of Katrina, did he suggest, you know, let’s throw $60 billion out of a helicopter, which would stimulate the economy, and now he’s in the position of going –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: He has not suggested throwing anything out of a helicopter to the President. (Laughter.)

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: Go ahead, Helen.

Q You were going to make a statement, White House statement on the approach of the 2,000 Americans dead in Iraq at the earlier briefing, didn’t you? At the gaggle?

MR. McCLELLAN: Do you have a question?

Q The question is, what is the feeling about that? And also, does the President approve now of finally telling how many Iraqis we killed?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, a couple of things. One, we have lost over 2,200 men and women in uniform in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is no higher priority for the President of the United States than the safety and security of the American people. It is a responsibility he takes very seriously. No President wants to go to war. But four years ago, or just over four years ago, war was brought to our shores. This nation remains engaged in a global war on terrorism. It is a war against Islamic radicals who seek to spread their hateful and murderous ideology. Our men and women in uniform volunteered to defend the freedoms we hold so dearly. They are the ones who are on the front lines in this global struggle that we are engaged in.

We mourn the loss of each and every one of our men and women in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make the world freer and more peaceful. We are forever grateful for their sacrifice, and we will always remember and honor what they have done. They have given their life in defense of freedom, and the best way to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is to prevail in the war on terrorism. And that’s –

Q And kill more people?

MR. McCLELLAN: — and that’s exactly what we will do. We will prepare –

Q The Iraqis did not attack us.

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me just finish my response. I appreciate that. We will prevail in the war on terrorism. Our men and women in uniform are doing an outstanding job in helping us to win this war. And the President made a decision after September 11th that we were going to wage a broad and comprehensive war on terrorism –

Q Against any country?

MR. McCLELLAN: We are taking the fight to the enemy to bring people to justice before they can carry out their attacks. We are also working to spread freedom and change the Middle East. We are no longer accepting the status quo in the Middle East. And one thing –

Q That’s not your role, is it? What right do you have to do that?

MR. McCLELLAN: And one thing that Secretary Rice talked about was the significant — in the Cabinet meeting — was the significant change that we’ve seen in the Middle East over the last three to four years. We’re seeing democracy take hold in Afghanistan. We’re seeing democracy take hold in Iraq. The Iraqi people are showing through their courage and determination that they want to live in freedom. The Iraqi election commission just reported this weekend that some 63 percent of Iraqis showed up to vote; some 9.8 million people –

Q Do we expect sovereignty of nations?

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me finish, Helen. Our troops understand the importance of the mission. They are laying the foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren. We live in a dangerous world; the threats are real –

Q That’s why you’re killing Iraqis?

MR. McCLELLAN: — and they are dangerous. But our men and women in uniform understand the enemy that we’re up against, and they understand the stakes involved. We are forever grateful for their sacrifice; we’re forever grateful for the sacrifice of the families of the fallen, as well. That’s why the President visits with the families on a regular basis, to comfort them, console them, and to remind them of the importance of what their loved one sacrificed for.

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SCOTT McCLELLAN: Go ahead, Helen.

Q You were going to make a statement, White House statement on the approach of the 2,000 Americans dead in Iraq at the earlier briefing, didn’t you? At the gaggle?

MR. McCLELLAN: Do you have a question?

Q The question is, what is the feeling about that? And also, does the President approve now of finally telling how many Iraqis we killed?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, a couple of things. One, we have lost over 2,200 men and women in uniform in Afghanistan and Iraq. There is no higher priority for the President of the United States than the safety and security of the American people. It is a responsibility he takes very seriously. No President wants to go to war. But four years ago, or just over four years ago, war was brought to our shores. This nation remains engaged in a global war on terrorism. It is a war against Islamic radicals who seek to spread their hateful and murderous ideology. Our men and women in uniform volunteered to defend the freedoms we hold so dearly. They are the ones who are on the front lines in this global struggle that we are engaged in.

We mourn the loss of each and every one of our men and women in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make the world freer and more peaceful. We are forever grateful for their sacrifice, and we will always remember and honor what they have done. They have given their life in defense of freedom, and the best way to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is to prevail in the war on terrorism. And that’s –

Q And kill more people?

MR. McCLELLAN: — and that’s exactly what we will do. We will prepare –

Q The Iraqis did not attack us.

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me just finish my response. I appreciate that. We will prevail in the war on terrorism. Our men and women in uniform are doing an outstanding job in helping us to win this war. And the President made a decision after September 11th that we were going to wage a broad and comprehensive war on terrorism –

Q Against any country?

MR. McCLELLAN: We are taking the fight to the enemy to bring people to justice before they can carry out their attacks. We are also working to spread freedom and change the Middle East. We are no longer accepting the status quo in the Middle East. And one thing –

Q That’s not your role, is it? What right do you have to do that?

MR. McCLELLAN: And one thing that Secretary Rice talked about was the significant — in the Cabinet meeting — was the significant change that we’ve seen in the Middle East over the last three to four years. We’re seeing democracy take hold in Afghanistan. We’re seeing democracy take hold in Iraq. The Iraqi people are showing through their courage and determination that they want to live in freedom. The Iraqi election commission just reported this weekend that some 63 percent of Iraqis showed up to vote; some 9.8 million people –

Q Do we expect sovereignty of nations?

MR. McCLELLAN: Let me finish, Helen. Our troops understand the importance of the mission. They are laying the foundation of peace for our children and grandchildren. We live in a dangerous world; the threats are real –

Q That’s why you’re killing Iraqis?

MR. McCLELLAN: — and they are dangerous. But our men and women in uniform understand the enemy that we’re up against, and they understand the stakes involved. We are forever grateful for their sacrifice; we’re forever grateful for the sacrifice of the families of the fallen, as well. That’s why the President visits with the families on a regular basis, to comfort them, console them, and to remind them of the importance of what their loved one sacrificed for.

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Q. Scott, there was an interesting column in The Wall Street Journal today –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Jumping on David Sanger.

Q. — on her qualifications, or lack thereof. Do you have a response to that one?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don’t know what specifically you’re asking about.

Q. The Bork piece.

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, well, some people have made up their mind. Harriet Miers is going through the confirmation process. The confirmation process is moving forward. It’s members of the United States Senate that will make the decision on her confirmation. We’re confident she’ll be confirmed.

Have you looked at the Dallas Morning piece — Morning News piece? Do you have any thoughts on it?

Q. No, my eyes were burning after reading the Washington — the Wall Street Journal piece, so I thought I’d let them recover before I did. (Laughter.)

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Q. Scott, there was an interesting column in The Wall Street Journal today –

SCOTT McCLELLAN: Jumping on David Sanger.

Q. — on her qualifications, or lack thereof. Do you have a response to that one?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don’t know what specifically you’re asking about.

Q. The Bork piece.

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, well, some people have made up their mind. Harriet Miers is going through the confirmation process. The confirmation process is moving forward. It’s members of the United States Senate that will make the decision on her confirmation. We’re confident she’ll be confirmed.

Have you looked at the Dallas Morning piece — Morning News piece? Do you have any thoughts on it?

Q. No, my eyes were burning after reading the Washington — the Wall Street Journal piece, so I thought I’d let them recover before I did. (Laughter.)

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Q. Just one last follow up. Scott, do you appreciate having reporters in this room that hold your feet to the fire? Or is it easier to do your job when they’re just, “fine, okay, sounds good”?

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I’m sorry, I’m missing that question. I’ve never seen anyone say, “Okay, sounds good,” in this room. We are all just doing our job. All of us in this room have a job to do, and the one thing that we share, hopefully, is that we’re all doing our part to help the American people get an accurate picture of what’s going on here in Washington, D.C.

Now, the media challenges me every day, and I look forward to that. It’s an opportunity for us to talk about our agenda and the President’s decisions and his nominees. And I’m going to vigorously defend the President’s agenda, his policies, and his nominees. That is part of my job.

But I’m also here to work with each and every one of you in this room, to help the American people get an accurate account of the decisions that are being made here in Washington, D.C. And I have great respect for the people in this room that I’ve worked with for many years, and they’re a good bunch. I have deep respect for all that they do and the hard work that they do. And nothing is ever — nothing –

Q. Okay. (Laughter.)

MR. McCLELLAN: And one final point. Nothing is ever personal in this room. We’re all just doing our job, and I recognize that, and I think people in this room recognize it, as well.

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