Presidential News and Speeches

THE PRESIDENT: Now because I believe that it's possible to advance the Annapolis agenda; now because I believe it's just going to be -- that it will be a chance to be effective on my trip. I'm going to advance three things: one, the vision of two states, Palestinian-Israel, living side by side in peace; two, to convince our friends and allies in the region that it is in their interest to support the peace process; and three is to remind people that the United States is committed to helping secure the region, that we have a active presence in the Middle East and that presence is not going to wane, that we're committed to helping people realize -- deal with the threats and the problems of the 21st century.

THE PRESIDENT: I think we can reach a vision of what a Palestinian state would look like. But I have made it abundantly clear that the existence of a state will be subject to the obligations in the road map. And so the goal is to have something other than just verbs -- words. In other words, here's what a state will look like. And what's important for that is that the Palestinians need to have something to hope for, something to be for. There needs -- Abbas, who has agreed that Israel has the right to exist, must be able to say to his people: be for me, support me, and this is what can happen; if you follow the way of the terrorists and the killers, this will never happen.

THE PRESIDENT: I think the major obstacle to peace is going to be the politics of both Palestinians and Israelis trying to take advantage of the difficult work that these two leaders are going to have to do to define a state; that's what I think. I think that extremists, in some instances, will try to stop the peace. I believe there is a lot of forces at play in Israel that will try to stop these two men from defining what a state will look like. And my job is to help them stay on the big picture, and have the confidence necessary to make tough decisions.

In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "At its core, the battle unfolding in the Middle East is more than a clash of arms. It is an ideological struggle. On one side are the forces of terror and death. On the other are tens of millions of ordinary people who want a free and peaceful life for their children. The future of the Middle East depends on the outcome of this struggle, and so does the security of the United States. We know that societies growing in tolerance and hope are less likely to become sources of radicalism and violence. So America will stay engaged in the region. We will support democrats and reformers from Beirut and Baghdad to Damascus and Tehran. We will stand with all those working to build a future of liberty and justice and peace."

THE PRESIDENT: How are you doing? Welcome. Pleasure to be with you all. Thank you.

Q First of all, we would like to thank you very much for your readiness to see us and to have this interview for us. We can assure you that in Israel you can be elected for the third term -- (laughter) -- with one exception, the day after the first day in office the media will kill you. (Laughter.) This is Israel. But you have so many really admirers in Israel.

Section 1. Statutory Pay Systems. The rates of basic pay or salaries of the statutory pay systems (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5302(1)), as adjusted under 5 U.S.C. 5303(a), are set forth on the schedules attached hereto and made a part hereof:

President George W. Bush today announced that he has named four individuals to serve in his Administration: Janet Weir Creighton, Chris Frech, Daniel McCardell, and Emory Rounds.

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Iowa and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm during the period of December 10-11, 2007.

On Friday, President Bush said, "This economy of ours is on a solid foundation, but we can't take economic growth for granted. And there are signs that will cause us to be ever more diligent and to make sure that good policies come out of Washington. For example, we've had 52 straight months of job creation, but job growth slowed last month."

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate one individual and designate one individual to serve in his Administration.

On Friday, January 4, 2008, the President signed into law: S. 2436, which establishes a designated date for the commencement of the five-year term of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue

Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released new jobs figures - 18,000 jobs created in December. Since August 2003, more than 8.3 million jobs have been created, with more than 1.3 million jobs created throughout 2007. Our economy has now added jobs for 52 straight months - the longest period of uninterrupted job growth on record. The unemployment rate remains low at 5 percent. The U.S. economy benefits from a solid foundation, but we cannot take economic growth for granted and economic indicators have become increasingly mixed. President Bush will continue working with Congress to address the challenges our economy faces and help facilitate long-term economic growth, job growth, and better standards of living for all Americans.

MR. HADLEY: Good afternoon. On Tuesday, January 8th, President Bush will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to designate Jeffrey Leigh Sedgwick, of Massachusetts, to be Acting Assistant Attorney General (Office of Justice Programs).

Stephen Hadley, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, announced today the appointment of John I. Pray, Jr. as Executive Secretary of the National Security Council.

On December 30, 2007, the President received the report and recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board appointed to investigate a dispute between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen; the Joint Council of Carmen, comprised of the Transportation Communications International Union/Brotherhood Railway Carmen Division and the Transport Workers Union of America; the American Train Dispatchers Association; the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers/Service Employees International Union; and the Transportation Communications International Union - American Railway and Airway Supervisors Association. The President appreciates the Board's diligent work in this matter.

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate three individuals and that he has nominated six individuals to serve in his Administration.

On Tuesday, President Bush said, "Laura and I wish our fellow Americans a happy and healthy 2008. I particularly want to say something to our troops and their families: This country respects you, we admire you and we wish you a great 2008, as well."

Today, I have signed into law S. 2271, the "Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007." I share the deep concern of the Congress over the continued violence in Darfur perpetrated by the Government of Sudan and rebel groups. My Administration will continue its efforts to bring about significant improvements in the conditions in Sudan through sanctions against the Government of Sudan and high‑level diplomatic engagement and by supporting the deployment of peacekeepers in Darfur.