John McCain introduced by Arnold Schwarzenegger VIDEO

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) FULL STREAMING VIDEO at a campaign rally in Columbus, OH. 10/31/08 : Columbus, OH : running time is 38:08.

Tags: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger or John McCain

Frank Gaffney on Obama and Biden VIDEO

Let Freedom Ring (LFR), a West Chester-based grassroots organization advocating traditional conservative principles, LFR's anchor ad, which began running nationally and in battleground states Thursday, zeroes in on national security.

"When we see candidates taking positions that unmistakably convey a determination neither to use military power or to ensure that they have it at their disposal should it be necessary, they are conveying to our enemies weakness and weakness invites aggression," Frank Gaffney, former assistant secretary of defense for international security policy and current president of Center for Security Policy.

Joe Biden, "I promise you, you all are going to be sitting here a year from now going, 'Oh my God, why are they there in the polls, why is the polling so down, why is this thing so tough?' We're going have to make some incredibly tough decisions in the first two years, I'm asking you now, be prepared to stick with us. Remember the faith you had at this point because you're going to have to reinforce us."

In September, Mr. Obama purchased $65 million in media buys, building on the $32 million it spent in August. And the campaign spent $6.5 million on one day of advertising this month, while the McCain camp spent under a million the same day. he results? Mr. Obama is outspending Mr. McCain 4 to 1 on media buys.

Tags: Barack Obama or John McCain

Dear Mr. Obama VIDEO

An Iraq Veteran has a personal message for Barack Obama From: weneedmccain

Tags: Barack Obama or John McCain

Federal Open Market Committee lowers federal funds rate 50 basis points

Federal Reserve Building, Washington, D.C.

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 50 basis points to 1 percent. The pace of economic activity appears to have slowed markedly, owing importantly to a decline in consumer expenditures. Business equipment spending and industrial production have weakened in recent months, and slowing economic activity in many foreign economies is damping the prospects for U.S. exports.

Moreover, the intensification of financial market turmoil is likely to exert additional restraint on spending, partly by further reducing the ability of households and businesses to obtain credit.

In light of the declines in the prices of energy and other commodities and the weaker prospects for economic activity, the Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters to levels consistent with price stability.

Recent policy actions, including today’s rate reduction, coordinated interest rate cuts by central banks, extraordinary liquidity measures, and official steps to strengthen financial systems, should help over time to improve credit conditions and promote a return to moderate economic growth. Nevertheless, downside risks to growth remain. The Committee will monitor economic and financial developments carefully and will act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability.

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Elizabeth A. Duke; Richard W. Fisher; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Sandra Pianalto; Charles I. Plosser; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh.

In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 50-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 1-1/4 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, Cleveland, and San Francisco.

Tags: Federal Open Market Committee or federal funds rate

John McCain Barak Obama Presidental Questions CBS Evening News

Description: Senator John F. Kennedy debates Vice President Richard M. Nixon in the first televised debates, 1960. Credit: National Park Service

FINAL INSTALLMENT OF "PRESIDENTIAL QUESTIONS" SERIES TONIGHT (29) ON THE "CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC"

Tonight's questions to Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama:

1. When was the last time you fired someone who worked for you and why?

2. What is your favorite book of all time?

3. What would you like to have on your tombstone?

The entire series can be viewed at: www.cbsnews.com/ * * *

Tags: Barack Obama or John McCain

Chuck Norris TV Ad Obama Campaign Threatens Legal Action VIDEO

Chuck Norris: An Outlaw's Worst Nightmare?

Obama Campaign Threatens Legal Action Over NRA Ads

Fairfax, VA-Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign has sent threatening letters to news agencies in Pennsylvania and Ohio to stop airing ads exposing his anti-gun record sponsored by the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF).

The kicker? NRA-PVF's Ohio’s ads have not yet begun running.

“Barack Obama and his campaign are terrified of the truth,” declared Chris W. Cox, Chairman of NRA-PVF. “Sen. Obama's statements and support for restricting access to firearms, raising taxes on guns and ammunition and voting against the use of firearms for self-defense in the home are a matter of public record. NRA-PVF will make sure that everyone knows of Obama's abysmal record on guns and hunting.”

The Obama campaign sent cease and desist letters to news outlets in Pennsylvania and Ohio, denouncing the ads and demanding their removal from the airwaves. All stations where NRA-PVF has purchased or plans to purchase ads have been provided with documented evidence of Sen. Obama's anti-gun record.

Related in PDF Format:

• Obama Campaign Cease and Desist Letter
• NRA-PVF Response Memo
• NRA-PVF Response to Washington Post “fact check”

Tags: Barack Obama or NRA and Chuck Norris

Barbara West Joe Biden VIDEO and TRANSCRIPT

ORLANDO, Florida WFTV Channel 9's Barbara West Interviews Joe Biden (10/23/08), Barbara West writes her own questions. Senator Obama released a statement through Florida spokesperson Adrianne Marsh:

"This campaign has now spanned 21 months and Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Joe and Jill Biden have done countless tough interviews and they've answered every single question. Let's be clear: This station's interview with Joe Biden wasn't tough -- it was just absurd."

FULL TEXT TRANSCRIPT

WEST: I know you’re in North Carolina now trying to help get out the vote but aren’t you embarassed by the blatant attempts to register phony voters by ACORN, an organization that Barack Obama has been tied to in the past?

BIDEN: I am not embarassed by it. We are not tied to it. We have not paid them one single penny to register a single solitary voter. We have the best get out the vote operation in modern history. We’ve registered the voters ourselves and so there is no relationship. So I am embarassed for anybody in ACORN who went out there and registered somebody who shouldn’t be registered. I’m not embarrassed by our campaign because we haven’t paid ACORN a single penny to register a single voter.

WEST: But in the past Senator...

BIDEN: Those are the facts.

WEST: But in the past, Senator Obama was a community organizer for ACORN. He was an attorney for ACORN and certainly in the Senate, he has been a benefactor for ACORN.

BIDEN: How has he been a benefactor for ACORN? He was a community organizer. John McCain stood before ACORN not long ago complimented them on the great work they did. Does that make John McCain complicit in any mistake that ACORN made? C’mon. Let’s get real here.

WEST: Okay, moving onto the next question. Senator Obama now famously told Joe the Plumber he wanted to spread his wealth around. A Gallup polls showed 84% of Americans prefer government focus on improving financial conditions and creating more jobs in the U.S. as opposed to taking steps to distribute wealth. Isn’t Senator Obama’s statement a potentially crushing political blunder?

BIDEN: Absolutely not. What the only person who's spread the wealth around has been George Bush and John McCain’s tax policy. They have devastated the middle class. We for the first time since the late 20’s, 1% of the american people make over 21% of all the income in America. That wasn’t the way before George Bush became president. All we want is the middle class to once again have a fighting chance. That’s why we focus all of our efforts on restoring the middle class and giving them a tax break. And John McCain doubles down on Bush’s tax cut and that's $300 billion in new tax cuts for the largest companies in America. and the wealthiest americans. We don’t think that’s the way to do it. We think give the middle class a break. That’s the way to do it.

WEST: You may recognize this famous quote. From each according to his abilities to each according to his needs. That’s from Karl Marx. How is Senator Obama not being a Marxist if he intends to spread the wealth around?

BIDEN: Are you joking? Is...is this a joke?

WEST: No.

BIDEN: Is that a real question?

WEST: that’s a question.

BIDEN: (laughing) He is not spreading the wealth around. He's talking about giving the middle class an opportunity to get back the tax breaks they used to have. What has happened just this year, people making $1.4 million dollars average, the top 1%, good, decent American people, are gonna get an $87 billion tax cut. A new one on top of last year. We think the people should be getting that tax break are not redistribute the wealth up, we think middle class tax payers should get a tax break. That’s what we think. It’s a ridiculous comparison with all due respect.

WEST: Now you recently said “Mark my words. It'll not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama.” But what worries many people is your caveat asking them to stand with him because it's not going to be apparent initially that he's right. Are you forewarning Americans that nothing will get done and that America’s days as a world’s leading power are over?

BIDEN: No, I’m not at all. I don’t know who’s writing your questions but let me make it clear to you. The fact of the matter is that everyone has aknowledged, from Colin Powell on, that the next president of the United States is going to be tested, whether it’s John McCain and or, or it's Barack Obama. The reason is our weakened position in the world. We’re stretched thin throughout the world. Our economy is in freefall right now. And they’re gonna be tested every president is tested, and the point I was making is that Barack Obama is much better prepared to handle whatever crisis is going to be than John McCain be... John was wrong in Iraq saying we'd be greeted as liberators, we'd be out of there, wrong in afganistan saying we were already succeeded, worng in North Korea saying the president shouldn't negotiate. Barak Obamas' been right, John McCains' been wrong that was my point, Barak Obama is more ready than John McCain.

WEST: Getting back to the spreading the wealth question. What do you say to the people who are concerned that Barak Obama will want to turn American into a socialist country much like Sweden.

BIDEN: I don't know anybody who thinks that except in the far right wing of the Republican Party.

WEST: Okay Senator Biden thank you very much

Video Text From Uploader: DhimmiTube666, WFTV Channel 9's Barbara West puts Joe Biden on the hot seat over ACORN, voter fraud, and Barack Obama's "Spread the wealth" comments, and even asks if Obama is a "Marxist".

Joe Biden was so upset, that he had the Obama campaign cancel an interview the station had scheduled with his wife, Jill, along with all future interviews.

The Orlando Sentinel reports:

"Why did Barack Obama's campaign cancel a WFTV-Channel 9 interview with Jill Biden, wife of Sen. Joe Biden? The campaign cited an unprofessional interview WFTVs Barbara West did Thursday with Joe Biden. In a statement Friday, Adrianne Marsh, Florida spokeswoman for Obamas campaign, said the station, in talking with Sen. Biden, was both combative and woefully uninformed about simple facts. Marsh said Wests insistence that Obama was an organizer for ACORN was 100 percent false. In a line of questioning that would make Rush Limbaugh proud, West even went as far as to quote Karl Marx, a Communist icon, in a disturbing attempt to associate Barack Obama with socialism, Marsh wrote. West said, "I think I asked him some pointed questions... I dont think I was rude or inconsiderate to him." From: DhimmiTube666 Added: October 25, 2008

Tags: WFTV Interview or Joe Biden and Barbara West

Elisabeth Hasselbeck introduces Sarah Palin at Florida Rally VIDEO

Governor Sarah Palin is introduced at a campaign rally in the Silver Spurs rodeo Arena October 26, 2008 Kissimee, Florida

by VIEW co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, The crowd, was estimated at about 7000. Also at the rally were Gov. Charlie Crist, Sen. Mel Martinez and Foxnews' Sean Hannity.

Tags: Elisabeth Hasselbeck or John McCain and Sarah Palin

Freedom Calendar 10/25/08 - 11/01/08

October 25, 1858, U.S. Senator William Seward (R-NY) describes Democratic Party as “inextricably committed to the designs of the slaveholders”; as President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, helped draft Emancipation Proclamation.

October 26, 1919, Birth of Republican Senator Edward Brooke (R-MA), who in 1967 became first African-American elected to U.S. Senate by popular vote.

October 27, 1800 Birth of U.S. Senator Benjamin Wade (R-OH), author of 1862 law banning slavery in all U.S. territories.

October 28, 1842, Birth of Republican suffragist and abolitionist Anna Dickinson, “Joan of Arc of the Union cause,” whose campaign speeches in many states contributed to victories of Republican candidates.

October 29, 1864, African-American abolitionist Sojourner Truth says of President Lincoln: “I never was treated by anyone with more kindness and cordiality than were shown to me by that great and good man”.

October 30, 1829, Birth of civil rights champion and U.S. Senator Roscoe Conkling (R-NY), instrumental in founding Republican Party in New York.

October 31, 1882, Death of African-American Republican, union organizer, and Texas state legislator George Ruby.

November 1, 1879, Death of U.S. Senator Zachariah Chandler (R-MI), Underground Railroad conductor and co-founder of the Republican Party.

"We believe that everyone deserves a chance, that everyone has value, that no insignificant person was ever born. We believe that all are diminished when any are hopeless. We are one people, committed to building a single nation of justice and opportunity.”

George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States

Technorati Tags: President Bush and Freedom Calendar or Booker T. Washington and Republicans or African-Americans and Brown v. Board of Education or Ronald Reagan and Michael Steele or Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass or 40 acres and a mule or Martin Luther King and Voting Rights Act of 1965 or Dred Scott

Bush radio address 10/25/08 PODCAST TEXT TRANSCRIPT

DOWNLOAD THE MP3 FILE HERE

bush radio address 10/25/08 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address In Focus: Economy

Subscribe to Our Podcast feed or online podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Americans from all walks of life are continuing to feel the effects of the financial crisis. In recent weeks, concerns about the availability of credit, the safety of financial assets, and the volatility of the stock market have made many families understandably anxious about their economic future.

The Federal government has taken bold action to stabilize our economy. Earlier this month, my Administration worked with Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that is providing funds to help banks rebuild capital and resume lending. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has temporarily guaranteed most new debt issued by insured banks, which will make it easier for these banks to borrow needed money. And the Federal Reserve is launching a new program to provide support for commercial paper -- a key source of short-term financing for America's businesses and financial institutions. These steps are beginning to show results, but it will take time for their full impact to be felt.

In coordination with the United States, many other nations have taken similar steps to address turbulence in their domestic markets. This crisis is global in reach -- and addressing it will require further international cooperation. So this week, I consulted with leaders from throughout the world and announced that I would convene an international summit in Washington on November the 15th.

This summit will be the first in a series of meetings aimed at addressing this crisis. The summit will bring together leaders of the G20 nations -- countries that represent both the developed and the developing world. And the summit will also include the heads of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Financial Stability Forum, as well as the Secretary General of the United Nations.

During this summit, we will discuss the causes of the problems in our financial systems, review the progress being made to address the current crisis, and begin developing principles of reform for regulatory bodies and institutions related to our financial sectors. While the specific solutions pursued by every country may not be the same, agreeing on a common set of principles will be an essential step towards preventing similar crises in the future.

As we focus on responses to our short-term challenges, our nations must also recommit to the fundamentals of long-term economic growth -- free markets, free enterprise, and free trade. Open market policies have lifted standards of living and helped millions of people around the world escape the grip of poverty. These policies have shown themselves time and time again to be the surest path to creating jobs, increasing commerce, and fostering progress. And this moment of global economic uncertainty would be precisely the wrong time to reject such proven methods for creating prosperity and hope.

Despite the ups and downs that our markets have experienced in recent months, the American people have reason for optimism in our Nation's economic future. Throughout our history, we have seen that when Americans are given the freedom to apply their talents and imagination, prosperity and success follow closely behind. For over two centuries, that principle has allowed our economy to overcome every obstacle it has faced. And we can all be confident that it will do so again.

Thank you for listening. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 25, 2008

Tags: President Bush and White House radio address

Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación 10/25/08

Descargar el archivo MP3 aquí

forre el audio de la dirección de radio 10/25/08 por completo, transcripción del texto. (nota de los redactores: ninguna lengua española mp3 lanzó esta semana, apesadumbrada) PODCAST

Suscribir a nuestro canal de Podcast de Odeo o del podnova y recibir la dirección de radio presidencial semanal en inglés y español con informes selectos del departamento del estado. Ofreciendo transcripciones audio y con texto completo verdaderas, más fuentes contentas agregaron a menudo así que la estancia templó.

Buenos Días.

Estadounidenses de todas las profesiones y condiciones sociales siguen sintiendo los efectos de la crisis financiera. En las últimas semanas, inquietudes sobre la disponibilidad de crédito, de la seguridad de bienes financieros y de la volatilidad del mercado de valores han hecho que muchas familias estén justificadamente preocupadas sobre su futuro económico.

El gobierno federal ha tomado acción audaz para estabilizar nuestra economía. A principios de mes, mi Administración colaboró con el Congreso para aprobar legislación bipartita que está proporcionando fondos para ayudar a los bancos a reconstruir su capital y volver a prestar. La Corporación Federal de Seguro de Depósitos ha garantizado temporalmente toda nueva deuda emitida por bancos asegurados, lo cual facilitará a estos bancos prestar dinero que se necesite. Y la Reserva Federal está lanzando un nuevo programa para apoyar a los valores comerciales - una fuente clave de financiamiento a corto plazo para negocios e instituciones financieras estadounidenses. Estas medidas comienzan a dar resultados, pero hará falta tiempo para que se sienta su impacto pleno.

En coordinación con los Estados Unidos, muchas otras naciones han tomado pasos similares para enfrentar la turbulencia en sus mercados domésticos. Esta crisis es global en su alcance - y se requiere más cooperación internacional para resolverla. Por lo tanto esta semana consulté con líderes de todo el mundo y anuncié que convocaría una cumbre internacional en Washington el 15 de noviembre.

Esta cumbre será la primera en una serie de reuniones con el propósito de tratar con esta crisis. La cumbre juntará a líderes de las naciones G-20 - países que representan tanto al mundo desarrollado como al mundo en vías de desarrollo. Y la cumbre también incluirá los directores del Fondo Monetario Internacional, el Banco Mundial y el Foro para la Estabilidad Financiera, así como el Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas.

Durante esta cumbre, discutiremos las causas de los problemas en nuestros sistemas financieros... apreciaremos el progreso que se está logrando para afrontar la crisis actual... y comenzaremos a elaborar principios de reforma para cuerpos e instituciones reglamentarias relacionadas a nuestros sectores financieros. Aunque las soluciones específicas llevadas a cabo por cada país quizás no sean las mismas, el ponerse de acuerdo sobre una serie común de principios será un paso fundamental para evitar crisis similares en el futuro.

Al enfocarnos en respuestas a nuestros retos a corto plazo, nuestras naciones deben también volver a comprometerse a los fundamentos del crecimiento económico a largo plazo - mercados libres, libre empresa y libre comercio. Las políticas de mercados abiertos han aumentado los estándares de vida y han ayudado a millones de personas en todo el mundo a escapar las garras de la pobreza. Estas políticas se han mostrado constantemente como el camino más seguro para crear empleos, aumentar el comercio y fomentar el progreso. Y este momento de incertidumbre en la economía global sería precisamente un mal momento para rechazar métodos comprobados para crear prosperidad y esperanza.

A pesar de los altos y bajos que han afectado a nuestros mercados en meses recientes, el pueblo estadounidense tiene motivo de optimismo para el futuro económico de nuestra Nación. A lo largo de nuestra historia, hemos visto que cuando se les da a los estadounidenses la libertad de aplicar sus talentos e imaginación, la prosperidad y el éxito seguirán muy de cerca. Para más de dos siglos, ese principio ha permitido a nuestra economía superar todos los obstáculos que ha enfrentado. Y podemos estar confiados que lo hará una vez más.

Gracias por escuchar.

Para su publicación inmediata Oficina del Secretario de Prensa 25 de octubre de 2008

Etiquetas De Technorati: Discurso Radial del Presidente a la Nación, y Presidente Bush

Elisabeth Hasselbeck to campaign for Sarah Palin VIDEO

UPDATE 10/26/08 Elisabeth Hasselbeck introduces Sarah Palin at Florida Rally VIDEO

Elisabeth Hasselbeck will stump for Sarah Palin in Florida this weekend. 10//26/08.

"Governor Palin asked me to be with her this Sunday to introduce her at the rallies in Florida. I am more than honored to be there,...I'll have some stories, I'm sure, on Monday."

Hasselbeck said Thursday on the VIEW. Governor Palin is scheduled to appear Sunday at campaign rallies in Tampa and Kissimmee, Florida.

"I want to see her wardrobe," Joy Behar said, referencing the GOP's $150,000 expenditure on clothes and services for the governor. Hasselbeck smiled but didn't respond.

Elisabeth has worn her support for the Republican ticket on air: Earlier this week, she appeared on the show in a T-shirt with the lettering: Great AmeriMcCain Hero.

Tags: Elisabeth Hasselbeck or John McCain and Sarah Palin

RNC Ad Lapse in Judgment Barack Obama Tony Rezko VIDEO

From the Republican National Committee internet ad Lapse in judgment. Released October 22, 2008. Barack Obama and his relationship with Tony Rezko The spot runs 2 minutes.

Tags: Barack Obama or John McCain and Sarah Palin or Tony Rezko

Secretary Rice Attending Women’s Conference VIDEO

MR. WOOD: Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to the briefing. Just a couple of things I’d like to point out. Did you see our montage this morning?

QUESTION: Yes.

MR. WOOD: Well, very good. Good. Yeah, as you know, the Secretary is participating in this Women’s Conference in Long Beach today, and she will participate in a luncheon conversation with PepsiCo’s chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi, moderated by CNN’s anchor Campbell Brown. And so you know, the Secretary during her time at the Department, has worked to ensure that women’s empowerment issues such as education, political and economic empowerment, and access to justice are international priorities. And so I just wanted to point that out to you.

And you know, at a time when the Secretary is in California attending this conference, you know, we have become aware of press reports about a women’s rights activist, Esha Momeni, who has been arrested, apparently, and we’re seeking additional information about this case. But you know, we stand with all those in Iran who are working for universal human rights and justice in their countries. So I just wanted to raise that issue with you.

Yes.

QUESTION: Can you give us the spelling on her, please?

MR. WOOD: Sure. First name is Esha, E-s-h-a; last name, M-o-m-e-n-i.

And just one last issue. There were some questions yesterday about the 2000 transition here at the Department, and I just wanted to mention to you that Grant Green, who you remember is Under Secretary for Management, he headed the State Department’s transition team for the incoming administration at that time. Under Secretary for --

QUESTION: For 2000?

MR. WOOD: 2000, right. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas Pickering and Under Secretary for Management Bonnie Cohen were co-chairs of the transition – the Department’s transition team. And Crissy Kinney, whom I think many of you know, she was the Department’s transition coordinator. So we just wanted to get that information to you. We also have a list that we can make available to you of the principal deputy assistant secretaries.

QUESTION: Who is the actual coordinator? Who is the big cheese in this, this time around? Or is it really split three ways?

MR. WOOD: I think it’s – well, I mean, you have Under Secretary Bill Burns and Under Secretary Pat Kennedy along with Dan Smith.

QUESTION: There’s not one? It’s between the three of them?

MR. WOOD: Yes. Among the three, yeah.

Okay. I don’t have any – did you want to follow up on that?

QUESTION: No, not on that.

MR. WOOD: Okay. Go ahead.

QUESTION: On the SOFA.

MR. WOOD: Yeah.

QUESTION: And Secretary Gates’ comments yesterday, Dana Perino’s comments this morning about the door being not shut completely but pretty much only ajar by a little bit. Is that – can you expand at all on what that means?

MR. WOOD: Well, look, as we said yesterday, this text is in front of the Iraqi Government right now. And as we’ve said previously, we believe this is a good text. It’s a text that promotes Iraqi sovereignty as well as allows a legal basis for our troops to operate in Iraq. And we think the Iraqis need to take a decision on this now.

And I don’t have anything really to add from – to what Dana said this morning. But you know, it’s – the Iraqis need to make a decision. The door is not slammed shut, but it’s closing.

QUESTION: But they have made a decision. They’ve asked you for revisions. Or have you – are you still claiming that you – not to have heard back from the Iraqis on what they --

MR. WOOD: As far as I know, we haven’t formally heard back from the Iraqis on this text. But --

QUESTION: Even though it’s now been more than 24 hours since the spokesman for Maliki said that – I mean, you know, publicly said that they wanted to make revisions?

MR. WOOD: Well, all I can tell you is we haven’t received any proposed amendments to that text.

QUESTION: Well, no, I don’t think that they proposed any specific amendments, but they said there were things that they would like to change. Have they not told you that there are things in there that they want changed?

MR. WOOD: Well, as I said, Matt, this is a good text; it’s time for the Iraqis to take a decision on it.

QUESTION: Well, yeah, you said that. But that doesn't answer the question. Are you trying to say that the Iraqis have not come to you and said we would like to make some changes, and that the only --

MR. WOOD: We have not --

QUESTION: You’re only basing your comments now on press reports of what the spokesman said?

MR. WOOD: We have not been officially informed.

QUESTION: What does that mean?

QUESTION: You keep saying formally and officially. I mean, do you truly have no intelligence whatsoever on what they’re interested in trying to do?

MR. WOOD: It’s not a question of that. It’s just until – if and until we get something formal, we’re not going to act on anything. And so what I’m say is, is that we have – there is a text that was worked out by both sides’ negotiators. This is a text that the Iraqi leadership has certainly been aware of, and they’ve been following the progress of it. And we think the time to act on this is now. And we’re running out of time, and that’s why we said that the door is closing. It’s not completely shut, but it’s closing, because December 31 is coming up and we need to have a legal basis in order for our forces to operate.

QUESTION: But there are still two months left. Agreements often get done late in the day. And there is another option, which is to extend the mandate. And therefore, it’s not clear to me why your tone should have shifted so dramatically in insisting that it’s time for them to make up their minds on this. There is still two months to go.

MR. WOOD: Well --

QUESTION: More than, in fact.

MR. WOOD: Well, it’s not a lot of time. This agreement has been negotiated for quite some time, and we think we’ve arrived at a text that protects, as I said, Iraqi sovereignty and also allows us to have a legal basis on which to operate.

QUESTION: Do you see the influence of Iran in the Iraqi refusal to approve this text?

MR. WOOD: Well, I mean, the Iranians have not been playing a real positive role in Iraq for quite some time. I’m not going to make a direct linkage there. But what I’m talking about here right now on this text, it’s a good one. And as I’ve said before, we’re running out of time. Yes, there is – you know, there are two months left, really, before that deadline. But it’s a good agreement. And both sides have worked on this for quite some time, so there are no secrets about what’s in the text. And so the Iraqis need to make a decision.

QUESTION: You are not --

QUESTION: But they have made a decision. This is what I – I’m sorry to harp on this, but I don’t get why you’re pretending not to know that the Iraqis haven’t made a decision. They have. They’ve told you that they can’t – they can’t accept this as it is and they want changes made.

MR. WOOD: Well, a lot of Iraqis have said many things. What we need to have --

QUESTION: This is the spokesman – the cabinet --

MR. WOOD: I understand – I understand what you’re saying, Matt. I clearly understand what you’re saying.

QUESTION: Well --

MR. WOOD: But we have to have something in order to act on, and we have not been provided with any suggested amendments.

QUESTION: So you’re saying that if they want changes, they have to come up with what the changes are –

MR. WOOD: No --

QUESTION: -- and give them to you and say is this okay?

MR. WOOD: No, what I’m saying is, is that if there are amendments or changes they want to make to the text, we haven’t seen them. And what we’re saying to the Iraqis and what I’m saying to you here is that we believe the text that the negotiators agreed on is the text that we’re working from, and we want to see the Iraqis take a decision.

QUESTION: Yeah, but I’m sorry. They have taken a decision.

MR. WOOD: Well, you know, Matt.

QUESTION: You want them to change their mind? You want them to change their decision and accept it? And the decision that – you think that the Iraqis need to take a decision now, and their decision has to be yes --

MR. WOOD: Matt, I’m just --

QUESTION: -- we agree?

MR. WOOD: I don’t have anything more to add on it than I’ve already said.

QUESTION: You said you don’t see any direct linkage with Iran, but do you see even an indirect linkage? Do you see something?

MR. WOOD: Well, you know, as I’ve said, the Iranians have not been playing a positive role in Iraq. That’s well known. And we’ve encouraged them, as have others, for the Iranians to play a positive role. And you know, if there are Iranians who are playing a negative role in terms of encouraging Iraqis not to reach an agreement with the United States, that’s not a good thing.

But our negotiators, as I’ve said, have worked on a text. We believe it’s a good one. And it’s with the Iraqis. And what we want the Iraqis to do is make a decision, and it’s what they need to do.

QUESTION: Can I ask you one other thing?

MR. WOOD: Sure.

QUESTION: You know, is there any – is your sense of urgency over this in any way whatsoever related to the fact that there – you know, assuming a clear election here – will be a president-elect in less than two weeks now and that you want to try to buckle this down now rather than after November the 4th?

MR. WOOD: No, this has nothing to do with the election. It has to do with the fact that we have negotiated for quite some time on this document. And December 31 is – you know, will soon be upon us. And as I said, we’ve got a good agreement. The Iraqis have been well aware of what’s in this agreement. You know, there were senior negotiations of this agreement who were close to Prime Minister Maliki, so there are no secrets here. And what we want to see is the Iraqis take a decision on this text. It’s a good one. I’m sorry for repeating myself, but I need to make that point very strongly.

QUESTION: So the Administration will feel no compunction about negotiating, securing, signing a text after – from November the 5th on? In other words, it’s not something that you’re going to feel should – you should, therefore, consult with the new president and his team on?
MR. WOOD: What this is about is it’s a text that we have negotiated on. We’ve briefed Congress on this. We’re running out of time. As others have said, the door is closing. And you know, it’s time for the Iraqis to step up to the plate and make a decision.

Anything else on Iraq?

QUESTION: Yes.

MR. WOOD: Please.

QUESTION: Do you think the Iraqi Prime Minister is catering to the Iranians’ pressures or playing politics against the Administration?

MR. WOOD: I don’t believe so. But I – you know, can’t speak for Prime Minister Maliki or any of the people in his administration. I can only tell you what our view is with regard to Iran’s role in Iraq and in that region, and it hasn’t been a positive one. And so – yeah, I don’t have anything more to add on Iran’s role.

Anything else on the SOFA?

QUESTION: No. New subject.

MR. WOOD: Lambros, sure.

QUESTION: On Albania. Mr. Wood, numerous American citizen of Northern Epirus origin attempted, in accordance with Albania law, to reclaim their properties. They followed the DOS advice and existing Albania law. Up to the present and (inaudible) U.S. effort, not a single person succeeded in getting the properties back. Is the Department of State prepared to request the Albanian Government to respect its own law?

MR. WOOD: I don’t know. I’ll have to look into that for you, Mr. Lambros. I’ll have to look into it.

QUESTION: You don’t have anything on it?

MR. WOOD: No, I don’t have anything on that at the moment.

QUESTION: Another issue?

MR. WOOD: Another issue? Sure.

QUESTION: Yes, FYROM. A classified DOS document published in Athens proves a secret cooperation between U.S. and FYROM on the name issue. The submitted proposal by Ambassador Nimetz have been suggested by Department of State and was mentioned in a letter sent here at the State Department by your Ambassador to Skopje. Your diplomat has said that the so-called language and nationality would be dealt without participation of Greece. Any (inaudible), Mr. Wood, for what language they are talking about for the Bulgarians – they speak one?

MR. WOOD: Well, Mr. Lambros, I’m not going to comment on an internal State Department cable. But our position on the Macedonia name issue is well known.

QUESTION: May I have a follow-up?

MR. WOOD: Sure.

QUESTION: The last proposal was rejected once again by Skopje. I’m wondering if Secretary Condoleezza Rice is concerned since U.S. want FYROM to become a NATO member in December and another Greek (inaudible) is waiting in the corner?

MR. WOOD: Mr. Lambros, I think we’ve spoken on that issue many times here from the podium.

Samir.

QUESTION: What is the update on the P-5+1? Did they respond to Jalili’s letter, you know, that --

MR. WOOD: Well, the P-5+1 had a conference call last week, I think. And it was basically to follow up on – was it two days ago? Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m losing track of time. I’ve been here such a long time. And it was to talk about the way forward with regard to the P-5+1. Look, and sure the subject of the Jalili letter came up, but I don’t have any further readout for you on it, Samir.

Anything else? Kirit.

QUESTION: Apparently, there was some special forces raid to free an American who was kidnapped in Kabul. Do you know anything about that?

MR. WOOD: No. That’s the first I’d heard of this, sorry.

Let me get someone else. Matt.

QUESTION: This morning, the White House announced that the President’s going to be hosting this – the G-20 leaders. Do you know what the State Department’s involvement in arranging this or --

MR. WOOD: Well, we’ve obviously been in discussions with the White House about this conference.

QUESTION: Well, not with the White House, but I mean, with the people who are coming.

MR. WOOD: I don’t know about specific discussions. I mean, I don’t have that information available, Matt. But look, I mean, we obviously have talked to other governments about this, and so we think it’s going to be a good conference, November 15. And as you know, the night before there’s a dinner. And it just shows how serious we are and others are about dealing with this financial crisis.

Anything else?

QUESTION: Will Secretary Rice – I’m guessing that this will be for Treasury secretaries and, you know, finance ministers and, obviously presidents and prime ministers. Is Secretary Rice going to have any role in this at all?

MR. WOOD: I don’t know at this point if she will have a role in it. But we’ll let you know at the time.

Anything else?

QUESTION: Thank you.

MR. WOOD: Okay, thank you.

(The briefing was concluded at 12:20 p.m.)

dpb # 178

Tags: U.S. State Department and Condoleezza Rice

President Bush Attends White House Summit on International Development VIDEO PODCAST

President George W. Bush stands with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf before delivering his remarks at the White House Summit on International Development Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, in Washington, D.C. President Bush discussed in his remarks core transformational goals of country ownership, good governance, results-based programs and accountability, and the importance of economic growth. White House photo by Eric Draper After being introduced President George W. Bush embraces Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the White House Summit Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, in Washington, D.C. President Bush discussed in his remarks core transformational goals of country ownership, good governance, results-based programs and accountability, and the importance of economic growth. White House photo by Eric Draper

President Bush Attends White House Summit on International Development FULL STREAMING VIDEOand the PODCAST OF THIS ARTICLE Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Washington, D.C. Fact Sheet: Transforming International Development and In Focus: White House Summit on International Development 1:22 P.M. EDT. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, all. Madam President. Madam President I could not think of anybody better to give me dancing lessons than you. (Laughter.) We love you. I love your spirit. I love your leadership. I love the example you set for leaders all across the globe. And it's an honor to be here with you. (Applause.) And it's an honor to be here with you all. I welcome you to the White House Summit on International Development. It's a summit to herald the outstanding work being done to lift up souls in need. I appreciate the fact that folks in this room represent thousands that are replacing disease with health, dependency with self-reliance, and despair with hope. The people gathered here come from different countries -- I see we represent different professions -- but we're united by our commitment to charting a new era in development. Today I'm going to talk with you about this new philosophy, about the way it's transforming countries and saving lives, and about why it's essential to continue in the years ahead. Before I do so, I want to recognize not only the President, but her son, Robert. I suspect your mother tells you what to do like my mother tells me what to do. (Laughter.) As a matter of fact, your mother tells me what to do. (Laughter.) Welcome.

Congressman Donald Payne, we're sure proud you're here; thank you, Mr. Chairman, for coming. (Applause.) Much of the success of the programs we've implemented are due to, one, the generosity of the American people, but also the fine group of people that are implementers: Henrietta Fore, the Administrator of USAID; Rob Mosbacher, President and CEO of OPIC; Ambassador John Danilovich, Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO; Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator; Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer, U.S. Malaria Coordinator. Thank you all for being leaders. (Applause.)

The second choice to introduce me was Bob Geldof, musician. Of course, he'd have got up and said, I saw him try to sing while in Africa. (Laughter.) I've come to really appreciate Bob Geldof. He is a genuine person who has used his fame to help others in need, and it is a -- it's been a joy to work with you. You know, you and I might look differently, but I think we share the same compassion and the same hopes. And thank you for joining us today. (Applause.)

I want to thank the panelists who have participated in this conference. I do want to welcome members of the Diplomatic Corps; thank you all for coming by today.

You know, we meet today in the middle of a serious global financial crisis. Over the past few weeks, we have seen how the world's economies are more interconnected than ever before. The crisis is having a major impact on working people all over the world -- including many in developing nations.

During times of economic crisis, some may be tempted to turn inward -- focusing on our problems here at home, while ignoring our interests around the world. This would be a serious mistake. America is committed -- and America must stay committed -- to international development for reasons that remain true regardless of the ebb and flow of the markets. We believe that development is in America's security interests. We face an enemy that can't stand freedom. And the only way they can recruit to their hateful ideology is by exploiting despair -- and the best way to respond is to spread hope.

We believe that we ought to remain committed to development because it's in our long-term economic interests. When America helps developing nations rise out of poverty, we create new markets for our goods and services, and better jobs for American workers. And we're committed to development because it's in our moral interests. I strongly believe in the timeless truth: To whom much is given, much is required. We are a blessed nation and I believe we have a duty to help those less fortunate around the world. We believe that power to save lives comes with the obligation to use it. And I believe our nation is better when we help people fight hunger and disease and illiteracy.

For all of these reasons, this administration has made international development one of our biggest priorities. As the President mentioned, we've worked with partner nations -- as well as the World Bank, and the IMF, and the African Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank -- to relieve tens of billions of dollars in debt from some of the world's poorest nations. By relieving crushing debt burdens, it gives people hope. We've also worked with wealthier nations to provide aid in the form of grants instead of loans. For the past eight years, the United States has provided more foreign assistance than at any time in the past half century.

We're using this aid to foster sustainable economic growth, and promote good governance, and advance a model of true partnership that gives poor nations a real stake in their own development. We're encouraging volunteer organizations, local charities, and the faith community to take on an even greater role -- because we strongly believe that they offer a compassion that no government can offer. Most of all, we're insisting on accountability in return for our assistance, so we can assure that our generosity leads to measurable results. You know, for too long, foreign aid was designed to make us feel good. Now, we're ensuring that our resources do good.

This new approach to development is embodied by a revolutionary initiative called the Millennium Challenge Account. See, this program says that the United States will help. But we expect countries that we help to fight corruption and to govern justly. There's nothing more pitiful than to have people's hopes robbed by corrupt government officials. We say to those we want to help support, open markets to trade and investment, and above all, invest in your people's health and education. You see, by tying our aid to these policies, we are encouraging developing nations to make tough economic and political and social reforms. We encourage leaders to respect their citizens, uphold human dignity, and work to earn the trust of their people. This approach is based on a clear conviction: People in the developing world have the capacity to improve their own lives -- and they will rise to meet high standards.

I refuse to accept the development model that says, oh, these people are doomed forever; let's just throw money at the problem. We believe that if you set high standards, good people will rise to meet those standards, regardless of where they live in the world. So the Millennium Challenge Account is a robust program that has invested $6.7 billion in 35 countries around the world. From Albania, to Moldova, to Indonesia, to Mongolia, to Paraguay, to Peru, these partnerships are helping developing nations take charge of their future -- and more importantly, unleash the talents of their people.

For example, this February President Kikwete of Tanzania and I signed a five-year, nearly $700 million compact to improve the country's transportation, energy, and water supply. It's pretty basic needs, isn't it? Transportation, energy and water supply. The partnership will build roads that connect rural Tanzanians to markets and schools and health clinics. It's hard to have a modern society if you can't get your product from rural to urban -- urban centers in your country. It's hard to get doctors to help people in the rural part of the country if you don't have roads to connect health care clinics to those in need. It's going to extend electricity to homes and businesses in some of the most remote areas of the country. It will increase access to clean drinking water, which will help reduce preventable diseases, especially in young children. Through these projects, the Millennium Challenge compact is helping Tanzania build a foundation for success in the 21st century -- and showing the promise of a new era in development.

In the new era of development, America and our partners are helping to meet basic human needs like food and clean water. There's nothing more basic than food and clean water. Since 2002, the United States has provided more than $16 billion in food assistance -- helping to ensure that tens of millions of people around the world do not go hungry. In response to the current global food crisis, we've committed $5.5 billion to address global hunger over the next two years. And that's important. These are stopgap measures. The American people care when they hear people are going hungry around the world. And I want to thank the American people for their generosity.

But as we work to resolve the crisis in the long run, we have got to find better solutions for global hunger in the long-term. In the short run we're helping; in the long term, we're developing a strategy and working with partners to help them grow their own food. There's no other way to put it. The best long-term policy for the United States is to help nations develop their own agricultural industry, so we don't have to deal with global food crisis year in and year out.

And so we supply poor and rural farmers with fertilizer and water-management systems. We distribute better seeds that will boost yields, and invest in research that will make crops like rice and wheat more resistant to drought and pests. You know, one of the really important challenges that this administration has taken on, and future administrations must take on, is to say to other markets around the world: It is okay to import markets to crops grown with biotechnology. A lot of countries are resistant upon introducing these new technologically advanced crops because they fear they're not going to be able to sell their crops elsewhere. And yet these crops will help people realize a vibrant agricultural industry.

I believe that as the United States moves forward, we ought to purchase up to a quarter of our food from local farmers. In other words, of all the food aid we get we ought to take a quarter of that, Donald, and purchase the food directly from local farmers. If it's in our interest to help build a local agricultural industry, then instead of just giving food, we ought to purchase food from the farmers themselves, to help build a vibrant agricultural sector in parts of the world where food is desperately needed. And I support the World Bank's strategy to increase investment in agriculture. (Applause.)

What I'm telling you is there's a better way than just a kind of patchwork approach. It's an approach that basically says we can use our technological advancement and our expertise to help build vibrant agricultural industries in nations where there ought to be crops today.

The United States works with partner nations to deal with the lack of clean water. Last year we dedicated nearly a billion dollars to improve sanitation and water supplies in developing nations. We're also wise enough to enlist the private sector to help, as well.

I want to share with you an interesting program -- for two reasons, one, it's interesting, and two, my wife thought of it -- (laughter) -- or has actually been involved with it; she didn't think of it. But she thought of it for this speech. She has been involved with a public-private partnership called the PlayPumps Alliance. It brings together international foundations and corporations and the U.S. government. Now, catch this: PlayPumps are children's merry-go-rounds attached to a water pump and a storage tank. When the wheel turns, clean drinking water is produced. And as my good wife says, PlayPumps are fueled by a limitless energy source -- (laughter) -- children at play.

The United States is working with our partners to install 4,000 pumps in schools and communities across sub-Sahara Africa, which will provide clean drinking water to as many as 10 million people. It's not that hard to help people get clean drinking water. It takes focus, imagination, and effort. And I call upon all nations around the world to join us. (Applause.)

In the new era of development, America and our partners recognize that education is the gateway to prosperity and essential to any society's long-term success. It's pretty obvious, isn't it? If people are educated, they can read the instructions on a medicine bottle. They can keep receipts for a small business. They can learn about the rights and privileges they have under their country's constitutions. Yet too many people can't read. America and our partners are determined to extend the promise of good education to more people in the developing world.

In the Middle East, USAID has partnered with local officials to start kindergartens in Jordan, taught hundreds of thousands of children about information technology in Morocco, built 70 schools for girls in Egypt.

Through our Africa Education Initiative, as the President mentioned, the United States has trained more than 700,000 teachers. I think you said a million teachers? Yes, I'll go for a million then. (Laughter and applause.) Somewhere between 700,000 and a million. (Laughter.) Distributed more than 10 million textbooks -- somewhere between 10 million and 15 million -- and provided hundreds of thousands of scholarships to help girls go to school.

Last year I announced a new initiative that will devote $425 million to improve education in Ethiopia and Ghana and Honduras and Liberia and Mali and Yemen. Why? Why do we do that? Because the truth of the matter is, we want children to fulfill their God-given potential, is why we do that. And so we're helping to train the doctors and the lawyers and the engineers and entrepreneurs and the women Presidents who will be vital to the future of the developing world. (Applause.)

In the new era of development, America and our partners are helping to lift the burden of deadly disease. In Africa, the treatable and preventable disease of malaria kills one child every 30 seconds. So in 2005 I launched a five-year, $1.2 billion initiative that cut the number of malaria-related deaths in 15 African nations by half.

Through the initiative, we joined with African governments -- notice, "we joined with African governments" -- to design malaria control strategies that will work with their nations. We expect results for the money we spend. And yet we're confident when we work with governments that they can develop the strategy necessary to achieve the objectives. And so we supply the money, and our partner nations work to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets, conduct indoor spraying campaigns, and provide cutting-edge drugs.

The interesting thing about this initiative is it's easy to measure whether or not we're being successful. In the new development agenda, results matter a lot. And therefore, when the United States works with countries, we expect there to be a well-defined strategy and the ability to measure whether or not our money is working. I don't think that's too much to ask, nor do the people who are trying to help think that's too much to ask.

So far, our efforts have reached 25 million people. In places like Zambia, and Ethiopia, and Rwanda, and Zanzibar, the numbers of people sick or dying from malaria have dropped dramatically. We have not only made progress around the edges, we've made dramatic progress in saving lives. I find that the work to defeat malaria is exciting work, and it is inspiring work. And frankly, it's not all that hard to design a strategy to get bed nets to people. And I want to thank my fellow citizens for caring deeply about this initiative. And I want to thank our partners for working hard to make sure that a mom won't have to worry about her child dying because of a mosquito bite. (Applause.)

The President talked about our fight against HIV/AIDS. And it's a noble battle and it's a necessary battle. In 2003, as she had mentioned, we launched PEPFAR. The program is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in human history. (Applause.) Ambassador Dybul and I believe that the program is effective because it is defined by a few key principles. You know, if you're going to have a new era of development, it's important to have clear definitions. It's one thing just to throw money at the problem, it's another thing to insist upon strategies that actually work. So the emergency plan demands specific measurable targets for progress. His job is to not only put the implementers in place and to find those souls who are on the front lines of saving lives and empower them; his job is to report back to the President and say, "Here is the progress we're making, Mr. President." That way it gives me a chance to say, "Well, if you're not making enough progress Mark, do something differently, please."

It employs a prevention strategy that works: ABC, which means abstinence, be faithful, and use condoms. This isn't guesswork; this is a program that is working. It puts local partners in the lead, because they know the needs of their people best. It enlists new partners from the international community, the private sector and the faith community.

I can't tell you how many people that I've met in the United States who say, "I'm part of PEPFAR, because my church has adopted the program." You know, there's nothing better than having people who hear the universal call to love a brother like you'd like to be loved yourselves on the front line of helping to save lives.

And the United States government is smart enough to enlist the compassion and love and hard work of people in the faith community in the United States to help our brothers and sisters in need. So far, the results are striking. When we launched the initiative in 2003, only 50,000 people in sub-Sahara Africa were receiving anti-retroviral treatment.

Today we support treatment for nearly 1.7 million people in the region, and tens of thousands of more around the world, from Asia, to the Caribbean, to Eastern Europe. PEPFAR has supported care for nearly 7 million people, including millions of orphans and vulnerable children. PEPFAR has allowed nearly 200,000 children in Africa to be born HIV-free. PEPFAR is working. And I want to thank the United States Congress for coming together to re-authorize and dramatically expand this program. (Applause.)

I'm sure that many of you had the same experiences that Laura and I've had in meeting people whose lives have been touched by the initiatives we're talking about today. I'll never forget meeting Harriet Namutebi. She is -- we met her in Africa on our trip five years ago. She lost her brother, her husband, and one of her children to AIDS. She was diagnosed, she locked herself in her room, she refused to eat, and she wanted to die.

But at a clinic supported by PEPFAR, Harriet was given a new lease on life. Counselors at the clinic showed Harriet how to live positively with HIV. A loving soul took this person who was in despair and said, here's a chance for you.

Thanks to the antiretroviral treatments Harriet received, she is now in good health. She cares for four children. She is an enthusiastic member of the clinic's drama group, which educates others about HIV. She is living proof of what people in Africa call the "Lazarus Effect" -- communities once given up for dead are now being brought back to life. And it is a joy to be a part of PEPFAR. (Applause.)

In the new era of development, we are working with partners to unleash the greatest engine of prosperity the world has ever known, and that is free trade. For developing nations, the value of trade is nearly 40 times the value of foreign aid. Let me repeat that: For developing nations, the value of trade is 40 times the value of foreign aid. Isn't that an interesting statistic? What should that tell you? It says if you're interested in helping the developing world, promote trade. That's what it ought to tell you.

According to the World Bank, the complete elimination of barriers to trading goods would boost annual income in developing countries by more than $140 billion. I think that would go a long way, don't you, Madam President?

You know, trade opens growth, ignites growth, but it also produces other benefits. It helps increase transparency. It helps increase the rule of law. During my administration we have worked hard to reduce barriers to trade and investment. When I took office, we had free trade agreements in effect with three nations. Today, we have them with 14 nations; most of them are developing countries. (Applause.)

My predecessor, President Clinton, did a smart thing with the African Growth and Opportunity Act. My administration had the honor of extending that Act. In 2005, I worked with Congress to pass a free trade agreement with the Dominican Republic and nations in Central America -- it's called CAFTA. And although it's still in its early stages, trade between participating countries with the U.S. is up 30 percent since its enactment. Do you know what that means? That means more jobs for workers in those countries. It means more food for families. It means more investment that developing countries need to grow and prosper. That's what that means.

Trade is essential to prosperity in both good economic times and bad. During periods of crisis, like the one we're in now, protectionism may seem like the best way to safeguard wealth. But when major economies try to wall themselves off, they deny themselves the growth that comes from exports and deepen poverty by depriving poor nations of vital markets for their goods. You see, in the midst of this crisis, I believe the world ought to send a clear signal that we remain committed to open markets by reducing barriers to trade across the globe. The recent impasse in the Doha Round of trade talks is disappointing, but that doesn't have to be the final word. And so before I leave office, I'm going to press hard to make sure we have a successful Doha Round. (Applause.)

In this new era of development, countries that make the courageous choice to embrace democracy must realize the economic benefits that go with it. When young democracies do not deliver improvements in their people's daily lives, the people start to lose faith in free societies; that's a fact.

For example, let's talk about our own neighborhood. I believe it's in our interest that we have a good, sound neighborhood. It's in our interest our neighborhood prosper and get along. And we've seen hopeful advances for democracy and free enterprise in North and South America. There's no doubt about it. There's been some amazing advances. Yet there's also voices that challenge free markets and democratic values -- quite loud voices. Some of them have gained a following, because amid the progress in our hemisphere, we also see terrible want. What the campesinos and trabajadores want is -- what they don't need is false populism; what they do need is social justice. And the development aid of the United States has been focused on providing social justice in our neighborhood.

True social justice requires creating new opportunities for prosperity and upward mobility. So working in partnership with Latin American nations, we've helped more than 400,000 poor and disadvantaged children learn to read. We've increased economic opportunity by relieving debt and opening trade, as I mentioned. We've delivered aid that empowers the poor and the marginalized. Since I took office -- with support from the Congress -- the United States has provided nearly $15 billion to the region with a special focus on helping the poor.

True social justice requires government institutions that are fair and effective and free from corruption. You can't have social justice if your government is stealing from you. Since 2001, the United States has doubled our worldwide commitment to programs that foster democracy and good government -- including programs in Latin America. We've entered into the Millennium Challenge Account agreements with six nations in Latin America and the Caribbean -- and a number of other countries are pursuing compacts.

We've worked with countries like El Salvador to train law enforcement officers who can combat criminal gangs. Mexico, we're partnering with the government to stop smugglers who traffic in everything from guns to human beings. Colombia, we've worked closely with President Uribe to defeat the cocaine cartels and narcoterrorists. By the way, it is no coincidence last year that Colombia's economy saw its largest growth in nearly three decades, because that country has got a strong leader willing to take on the FARC.

True social justice requires compassion. And some of the greatest work of compassion in Latin America is being done by the United States military. I don't know if you ever heard of the Navy hospital ship called the Comfort, but it sailed to 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean last year. Doctors treated tens of thousands of poor patients, and conducted more than 26,000 surgeries. Dentists and hygienists filled cavities and cared for infections and treated young children. These men and women are showing that the nations of Latin America have a strong partner in the United States of America. They're a part of our efforts to show that the institutions of freedom and capitalism and democracy are not threats to be feared, but the surest path to social justice there is.

From fostering good governance and reform, to alleviating hunger and disease, to advancing education, prosperity and justice, our new approach to development has shown inspiring signs of success. Yet this success can be reversed, and the cost of abandoning our commitments would be far higher than the cost of fulfilling them. So I urge both parties in Congress to ensure that our development efforts remain an enduring priority of the United States. (Applause.)

I call on other members of the G8 and the United Nations, as well as our fellow contributors to the Global Fund, to follow through on their pledges. (Applause.) Corporations and foundations have shared their resources and expertise with the developing world, and I urge them to continue their generosity. Faith-based groups have done amazing work to heal the sick and lift up the suffering, and I urge them to carry on their missions of mercy.

It's amazing what individual Americans have done to help with the new era of development. I got a Christmas gift from one of my little nephews, which was mosquito nets. Thousands of individuals and schoolchildren all across the country are donating $10 to buy a mosquito net to help save a life. There are people who are raising money for HIV/AIDS initiative. There are people who are going on a service mission with their house of worship. These folks are making a huge contribution, and I urge them to continue their good work.

History shows what happens when America combines our great compassion with our steadfast determination. We are a compassionate people and we are a determined people. During a recent visit, a good friend of mine shared his vivid childhood memories of the Marshall Plan. We were standing on the South Lawn. He said he'll never forget the kindness America showed his nation in a time of need, and now that man is the Prime Minister of Italy. And last week, Silvio Berlusconi expressed his enduring loyalty and gratitude to the people of the United States.

It's not hard to imagine what fruits our compassion will yield 60 years from today. We can see it in the faces of Afghan girls going to school for the first time. We can see them in the proud eyes of Latin American workers providing for themselves and for their families. We see them in the joy of new African mothers whose babies are protected from malaria and HIV. We see them in the outpouring of thanks throughout the developing world. I'm just so sorry that not every American could have been with Laura and me to see what we saw in our trip to Africa last year. Schoolchildren sang songs about America's generosity. One shop-owner, I think who was in Liberia, Madam President, painted his stall in our nation's colors. Tens of thousands of people lined the roadsides during our visit, cheering and waving American flags in gratitude to the American people.

I'm honored to be the President of such a nation filled with people -- filled with people of such generosity and goodness. I'm proud to join with all of you in ushering in a new era of development. This is an historic commitment that we all can be proud of -- one that will secure a bright future for our partners in the developing world, one that will make America a better place. God bless you. (Applause.)

END 1:58 P.M. EDT For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 21, 2008

Tags: President Bush and White House Summit on International Development

Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) Speech in Loveland, Colorado VIDEO

Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks to about 4,000 supporters at a campaign rally for John McCain at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colorado. Today : Loveland, Colorado : running time 26 min. FULL STREAMING VIDEO

Tags: Barack Obama or John McCain and Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin Saturday Night Live (SNL) 10/18/08 VIDEO

Saturday Night Live (SNL) 10/18/08 - Opening bit with Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Loren Michaels and Governor Sarah Palin

Saturday Night Live Weekend Update: Palin Rap. Amy Poehler steps in for Governor Sarah Palin

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Freedom Calendar 10/18/08 - 10/25/08

October 18, 1871, After violence against Republicans in South Carolina, President Ulysses Grant deploys U.S. troops to combat Democrat terrorists who formed the Ku Klux Klan.

October 19, 1956, On campaign trail, Vice President Richard Nixon vows: “American boys and girls shall sit, side by side, at any school – public or private – with no regard paid to the color of their skin. Segregation, discrimination, and prejudice have no place in America”.

October 20, 1942, 60 prominent African-Americans issue Durham Manifesto, calling on southern Democrats to abolish their all-white primaries.

October 21, 1837, Birth of Sara Spencer, Secretary of National Woman Suffrage Association; her address to 1876 Republican National Convention was first by a woman before a major party.

October 22, 1868, While campaigning for re-election, Republican U.S. Rep. James Hinds (R-AR) is assassinated by Democrat terrorists who organized as the Ku Klux Klan.

October 23, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt nominates first Jewish Cabinet member, Republican Oscar Straus, as Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

October 24, 1972, Death of Jackie Robinson, athlete and Republican civil rights activist.

October 25, 1858, U.S. Senator William Seward (R-NY) describes Democratic Party as “inextricably committed to the designs of the slaveholders”; as President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, helped draft Emancipation Proclamation.

"With courage, born of success achieved in the past, with a keen sense of the responsibility which we shall continue to assume, we look forward to a future large with promise and hope. Seeking no favors because of our color, nor patronage because of our needs, we knock at the bar of justice, asking an equal chance.”

Mary Terrell, African-American Republican and co-founder of the NAACP

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Bush radio address 10/18/08 PODCAST TEXT TRANSCRIPT

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bush radio address 10/18/08 full audio, text transcript. President's Radio Address In Focus: Economy

Subscribe to Our Podcast feed or online podnova Podcast Channel and receive the weekly Presidential Radio Address in English and Spanish with select State Department Briefings. Featuring real audio and full text transcripts, More content Sources added often so stay tuned.

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Our Nation is dealing with a serious financial crisis. Over the past month, Americans have witnessed fast-moving events involving complicated financial issues. I know many of you are concerned about your finances. So this morning, I want to tell you how we're addressing the uncertainty in our economy.

The federal government has responded to this crisis with systematic and aggressive measures to protect the financial security of the American people. These actions will take more time to have their full impact. But they are big enough and bold enough to work.

The primary focus of our efforts is addressing the underlying problem behind the freeze in our credit markets. Earlier this month, Congress passed bipartisan legislation authorizing the Treasury Department to use up to $700 billion to help banks rebuild capital. This week, I announced that the Treasury will use a portion of that money to inject capital directly into banks by purchasing equity shares. This new capital will help banks continue making loans to businesses and consumers. In addition, the Treasury will use part of the $700 billion to purchase some of the troubled assets that are weighing down banks' balance sheets and clogging the financial system. This extraordinary effort is designed with one overriding purpose: to help banks get loans flowing to American consumers and businesses, so they can create jobs and grow our economy.

I know many Americans have reservations about the government's approach, especially about allowing the government to hold shares in private banks. As a strong believer in free markets, I would oppose such measures under ordinary circumstances. But these are no ordinary circumstances. Had the government not acted, the hole in our financial system would have grown larger, families and businesses would have had an even tougher time getting loans, and ultimately the government would have been forced to respond with even more drastic and costly measures later on. So I decided that government had to move, but that government's involvement in individual banks had to have prudent limits.

The government's involvement is limited in size. The government will only buy a small percentage of shares in banks that choose to participate, so that private investors retain majority ownership.

The government's involvement is limited in scope. The government will not exercise control over any private firm, and federal officials will not have a seat around your local bank's boardroom table. The shares owned by the government will have voting rights that can be used only to protect the taxpayer's investment -- not to direct the firm's operations.

The government's involvement is limited in duration. It includes provisions to encourage banks to buy their shares back from the government when the markets stabilize and they can raise money from private investors. This will ensure that banks have an incentive to find private capital to replace the taxpayer's investment -- and to do so quickly.

I know many of you are also concerned about the price tag of this rescue package. Ultimately, we believe the final cost will be significantly less than the initial investment. Many of the troubled assets that the government buys will increase in value as the market recovers. That means the government eventually will be able to resell them for a higher price. In addition, the government will receive quarterly dividends from the equity shares it purchases in financial institutions. If banks do not repurchase these shares within five years, the dividends they owe the government will increase substantially. This provides a clear incentive for banks to buy back their shares, thus returning the money to taxpayers, as soon as possible.

In the long run, the American people can have confidence that our economy will bounce back. America is the best place in the world to start and run a business, the most attractive destination for investors around the globe, and home to the most talented, enterprising, and creative workers in the world. We're a country where all people have the freedom to realize their potential and chase their dreams. This promise has defined our Nation since its founding, this promise will guide us through the challenges we face today, and this promise will continue to define our Nation for generations to come.

Thank you for listening. # # #

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary October 18, 2008

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