White House Denies Bush Pushed for Trade Agreement in Meeting With Obama

NEW YORK, Nov. 11 -- The White House pushed back Tuesday against reports that President Bush has conditioned his support for a new economic stimulus package on congressional backing for stalled free trade agreements.

"The president did not suggest a quid pro quo" during his meeting Monday with President-elect Barack Obama, White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters traveling with Bush. That contradicted the comments of unidentified officials quoted in newspaper reports Tuesday morning about the meeting in the Oval Office.

But Perino did say Bush remains hopeful that Congress could pass long-delayed free trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. That could happen before he leaves office Jan. 20 only if Congress agrees to hold a lame-duck session to consider a new economic stimulus plan.

The co-chairman of Obama's transition team, John D. Podesta, also rejected reports that the passage of an economic stimulus plan or a package to help the auto industry was part of a proposed legislative exchange for the elimination of Democratic opposition to the Colombia free trade agreement.

"While the topic of Colombia came up, there was no quid pro quo," Podesta told reporters Tuesday. He added that relations between the White House and the Obama transition team have been "collegial" and "cooperative."

In an interview with CNN Tuesday, Bush declined to discuss specifics of his conversation with Obama Monday, including any advice he may have given. He said he would keep his advice confidential in case Obama wanted to ask for it again in the future.

Bush added: "He didn't need my advice about supporting the military. He knows he must do that."

Bush called his talks with Obama "very private" and "relaxed." He said one of the things that appeared to interest the president-elect during the White House tour Monday was how his two daughters would take to their new residence. Obama was keen to see where they would stay, Bush noted.

"Clearly, this guy is going to bring a great sense of family to the White House," he said.

In response to questions about the election, Bush said that although "my choice didn't win," he feels that Obama's ascent to the presidency marks a "historic moment for our country."

"It is good for our country that people have hope in the system and feel vested in the future," Bush said. "So President-elect Obama has a great opportunity, and I really do wish him all the best. I mean, I am just as American as he is American. And it is good for our country that the president succeeds, and so the transition that we're working with him on is a genuine effort to help him be able to deal with the pressures and the complicated issues of the presidency."

Lawmakers are looking for assurances from Bush that he would negotiate a broader spending package aimed at reviving the economy during such a session. For his part, Bush signaled his interest during his speech at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum here, as he recognized Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) and other lawmakers in the crowd.