Bush discusses lengthy U.S. presence in Iraq

Question: Can I just follow up on that?

President Bush: Sure.

Question: Aside from staff changes, are you listening to suggestions to bring somebody else into the White House, a wise man, a gray beard, some old-time Washington hand who could steady Congress, is very upset about things...

President Bush: I've listened to all suggestions; I really am.  I mean, I'm listening to Congress.  We're bringing Congress down here all the time.  And it's interesting to hear their observations.  They're, obviously, expressing concerns.  And it's an election year, after all.

And it seems like history tends to repeat itself when you're in the White House.  I can remember '02 before the elections:  a certain nervousness.  There was a lot of people in Congress weren't sure I was going to make it in '04 and whether or not I'd drag the ticket down.

And so there's a certain unease as you head into an election year.  I understand that.  And my message to them is:  Please continue to give me advice and suggestions.  And I take their advice seriously.

But also remember we've got a positive agenda.  We've got something to do.  It's important for Congress to have confidence in our ability to get things done.

We're supporting our troops.  Over the last 12 months, we've got two Supreme Court judges confirmed, we've got the Patriot Act reauthorized over the objections of the Democrat leadership in the Senate.

We've got some tort reform passed.  We've passed a budget that cut non-security discretionary spending.  I mean, there's a series of -- we've got an energy bill passed.

We worked to get a lot of positive things done.  And now we've got an agenda to continue, to keep this economy growing and keep this nation competitive.

I meant what I said in my speech.  We shouldn't fear this future. In other words, we shouldn't allow isolationism and protectionism to overwhelm us.

We ought to be confident about our ability to shape the future. And that's why this competitiveness initiative is important.  That's why this energy plan that gets us less addicted to oil is important.

We got some interesting ideas on health care that we need to continue to press to make sure consumers are actually a part of the decision-making process when it comes to health care decisions.

We've got an aggressive agenda that, by working together, we'll get passed.

But I do.  I listen.

Question: No new (inaudible)...

President Bush: I'm not going to announce it right now.  You know, look, they've got some ideas that I like and some I don't like.  Put it that way.

Question: You've said throughout your presidency that you don't pay that much attention to the polls, that...

President Bush: Correct.

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