White House Gaggle

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By Miranda Dunn The President began his morning with the usual FBI and intelligence briefings. He is meeting with Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld this morning. Bush will have lunch with Vice President Cheney, and begin an

afternoon of policy briefings. Briefings today include Scott McClellan at 12:30 and Ambassador Boucher at 12:45. IRAQ When asked about the President's feelings on the American soldiers killed in Iraq this morning, Scott McClellan replied, "We are eternally grateful for what our troops are doing in Iraq; it's an important and just cause that they are involved in. They are going after the dead–enders who are enemies of the Iraqi people, and seek to prevent a free and democratic Iraq from coming about." In regard to the burden of proof the White House still faces, McClellan stated that the long-time weapons expert David Kay continues the search and that we must let him complete his work, the interviews, and the review of documents. McClellan also said, "The President, in a post-September 11th world, is not going to wait for threats to come to our shore. He is going to confront them and address them before it's too late." HOMOSEXUALITY McClellan stated, "The President strongly believes in the sanctity of marriage being between a man and a woman." McClellan refused to speculate what is needed legally to "protect and defend the sanctity of marriage." White House lawyers are monitoring court cases, and a constitutional amendment may be a possibility. Concerns were raised in regard to the President's remark yesterday, which stated, "I am mindful that we're all sinners . . . " McClellan instructed members of the press to look carefully at the question the President was asked, and insisted that Bush simply wanted to remind people that "it's important to treat everybody with dignity and respect." NORTH KOREA There was a phone call yesterday between Bush and North Korean leaders. The President is still pushing for multi-lateral talks.