Transcript: President Bush's News Conference

And I'm looking forward to leading the Congress, and I'm looking forward to taking the case to the American people. I will begin -- begin -- I will continue that process with the State of the Union address. 

And then I look forward to taking off shortly thereafter and traveling around the country discussing this issue, similar to what President Clinton did. 

President Clinton highlighted the issue, an issue that needed to be addressed and an issue that needed to be solved. He fully recognized, like I recognize, that it's going to require cooperation in the House and the Senate.

And we, in anticipation of this moment, obviously -- you might remember we brought together a distinguished group of our citizens to analyze the issue. And they came forth with some very interesting ideas.

BUSH: As well, it is very important for us to reassure the seniors that nothing changes. 

And I fully understand the power of those who want to derail a Social Security agenda by, you know, scaring people. It's been a tactic for a long period of time by those who believe the status quo is acceptable. 

And so, one of the things you'll hear me constantly doing is reminding our senior citizens that nothing will change and that we have a duty to act on behalf of their children and grandchildren.

QUESTION: Mr. President, if I could return for a moment to your inaugural address, Dr. Rice referred in her testimony to six outposts of tyranny, countries where we clearly, I think, have a pretty good idea of your policies. 

QUESTION: What we're confused by right now I think, or at least what I'm confused by, is how you deal with those countries like Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, with whom we have enormous broad interests. 

Should the leaders of those countries now be on notice that the primary measure of their relationship with the United States should be their progress toward liberty? Or can they rest assured that in fact you've got this broad agenda with them and you're willing to measure liberty up against what China does for you on North Korea, what Russia for you in other areas?

BUSH: I don't think foreign policy is an either/or proposition. I think it is possible when you're a nation like the United States to be able to achieve both objectives, one objective the practical objective of dealing, for example, as you mentioned, with North Korea.

BUSH: But in my meetings with Chinese leadership in the past, in my meetings with Chinese leadership in the future, I will constantly remind them of the benefits of a society that honors their people and respects human rights and human dignity.

For example, in meetings with the Chinese in the past I have brought up the Dalai Lama, I have brought up concerns of the Catholic Church. I have discussed my belief that a society that welcomes religious freedom is a wholesome -- religious freedom is a part of a wholesome society and an important part of a society.

Vladimir Putin -- I've discussed with Vladimir Putin some of his decisions, as you might remember, in our meeting in Chile. I will continue to do so. I will remind him that if he intends to continue to look West, we in the West believe in Western values.

You know, democracy is a progress -- you'll see progress toward a goal. 

BUSH: There won't be instant democracy. 

And I remind people that our own country is a work in progress. You know, we declared all people equal and yet all people weren't treated equally for a century. We said everybody counts, but everybody didn't count.

And so I fully understand developing a democratic society and adhering to the traditions and customs of other nations will be a work in process. That's why I said we're talking about the work of generations.

And so in my talks, in my discussions with world leaders to solve the problem of the day, I will constantly remind them about our strong belief that democracy is the way forward.

QUESTION: Mr. President, Dr. Rice again, quoting the future secretary of state, wrote in Foreign Affairs Magazine in 2000, outlining what a potential Bush administration foreign policy would be, talked about things like security interests, free trade pacts, confronting rogue nations, dealing with great powers like China and Russia.

But promotion of democracy and liberty around the world was not a signature element of that description. I'm wondering what's changed since 2000 that has made this such an important element of your foreign policy.

BUSH: I'm the president. I set the course of this administration. 

BUSH: I believe freedom is necessary to promote peace. 

And I haven't seen the article you're referring to. And I can assure you that Condi Rice agrees with me that it's necessary to promote democracy. 

I haven't seen the article. I didn't read the article. Obviously it wasn't part of her job interview. 

(LAUGHTER)

Condi is a firm believer in democracy. 

QUESTION: Mr. President, Chairman Thomas and some others on the Hill have suggested taking up tax reform at the same time that you deal with Social Security reform, and to consider alternatives such as a value-added tax to the current payroll tax to finance your Social Security. 

Are you willing to consider combining those two big projects? Or do you prefer to keep them on separate tracks?

BUSH: I look forward to working with the Congress to move the process forward. I appreciate people bringing forth ideas. I think it is a constructive part of the process. 

I'll have my own -- I'll be a little more specific as time goes on, and perhaps at the State of the Union, talking about how I think we can have a real long-term solution. 

BUSH: But I think it's constructive that Chairman Thomas, who will be charged with having a bill come out of the Ways and Means, is thinking creatively, is willing to figure out ways to bring people along.

I am -- and you'll find, as this process unfolds, that there will be a lot of different suggestions, some of them valid, some of them not valid. But the idea that people are bringing forth ideas is a really good sign. 

The threshold question is, will Congress -- you know, is Congress willing to say we have a problem? We do have a problem. The math shows we have a problem. And now is the time to act on that problem.

And once people realize there's a problem, then I believe there's an obligation for all sides to bring forth ideas.

BUSH: And that's what you're seeing with Chairman Thomas, and I appreciate that. I'm looking forward to my visit with him this afternoon.

QUESTION: Mr. President, I want to ask about the Gonzales nomination, and specifically about an issue that came up during it, your views on torture.

You said repeatedly that you do not sanction it, you would never approve it. 

But there are some written responses that Judge Gonzales gave to his Senate testimony that has troubled some people, specifically his allusion to the fact that cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of some prisoners is not specifically forbidden, so long as it's conducted by the CIA and conducted overseas. 

Is that a loophole that you approved?

BUSH: Al Gonzales reflects our policy, and that is: We don't sanction torture.

He will be a great attorney general. And I call upon the Senate to confirm him. 

QUESTION: Mr. President, at the beginning of your remarks today, you referred to two criteria that you're looking for on a Social Security fix: namely, permanent solvency and personal accounts.

QUESTION: Does that mean you would be willing to consider some changes that might broaden the base of revenues for the system as a way of addressing solvency?

BUSH: I look forward to a fruitful discussion of all ideas with the exception of raising the payroll tax.

QUESTION: Sir, can you update us please on your search for a director of national intelligence? Are you having trouble finding the right person? And do you worry at all that the delay might suggest to some people that it's not a high priority for you?

BUSH: When the bill looked like it wasn't going to pass, we weighed in to get it passed and we will work with members of both parties to get a bill out of the Congress.

BUSH: It's clearly a high priority.

It is a priority for us to make sure that I get the very best intelligence in order to make wise decisions for the American people. 

And a search goes on to find the right person to handle this very sensitive position. We're dealing with a brand new agency that is going to require somebody with extraordinary experience. And we're looking. And no one should read anything other than we want to make sure we make the right choice.

QUESTION: Back on Social Security, any transition to personal accounts is estimated to cost between $1 trillion to $2 trillion over 10 years. Without talking about specific proposals, do you plan to borrow that money or will you, when your plan comes up...

BUSH: You're asking me to talk about specific proposals.

BUSH: And I'm looking over the -- I fully understand some people are concerned about whether or not this is affordable. And at the appropriate time, we'll address that aspect of reform. 

But personal accounts are very important in order to make sure that young workers have got a shot at coming close to that which the government promises. 

They are also important because a personal account, obviously under strict guidelines of investment, would yield a better rate of return over -- than the money -- the person's money is earning in the Social Security trust. 

And personal accounts will enable a worker to be able to pass on his or her ownings to whoever he or she chooses, which is an important part of promoting an ownership society. We want people to own and manage their own assets. 

BUSH: After all, it is their own money. 

And so it's a very important part, in my judgment, of reforming the system permanently. 

But there -- you know, I fully understand that accounts is not the only thing that will be necessary to make sure the system is permanently secure. 

Ken, well, welcome. Let me ask you, are you here temporarily, permanently, and who do you represent?

QUESTION: That would be up to my wife, sir, as you well know.

(LAUGHTER)