I don't expect people to agree with every decision I make. But regardless of whether they do or not, I'm going to continue making the decisions in the way that I think is best for the country. There will be ample time to have the debate about whether or not it's the right strategy or not. I look forward to the debate.

I take my job seriously, I will do my job and I look forward to the political debate later on. So I'm confident during the numerous press conferences I'll be having next year — just like I had this year — that you'll be asking me questions about this political statement or that political statement, and my answer is going to be the same until I'm ready to engage, and that is, let me just tell you what the strategy is of this administration. Forget politics. The strategy that I've outlined in order to do my solemn duty — and my duty is not only to keep the country more secure, but more prosperous and a better country, as well.

A President must set great goals, worthy of a great nation. We're a great nation. Therefore, a President must set big goals. I set a goal for this country to make the world more peaceful by spreading freedom. Freedom is not America's gift to the world, freedom is God's gift to each and every individual in the world. I set a great goal here at home.

I remember when we had the discussion down in Crawford, one of reporters, fellow reporters, said, I hear you don't pay attention to the press. I said, not really. And he said, why? And I said, well, because sometimes your opinion matters to me and sometimes it doesn't, but I've got a job and I'm willing to lead. And the fellow said, well, how do you know what the people think? And I said, well — I reminded the fellow that people don't make up their mind based upon what they write, and secondly, my job is to lead.

There was a poll that showed me going up yesterday, not to be on the defensive. Actually I'm in pretty good shape politically, I really am. I didn't mean to sound defensive. But I am. Politicians, by the way, who pay attention to the polls are doomed, trying to chase opinion when what you need to do is lead, set the tone.

We'll get to the bottom of this and move on. But I want to tell you something — leaks of classified information are a bad thing. And we've had them — there's too much leaking in Washington. That's just the way it is. And we've had leaks out of the administrative branch, had leaks out of the legislative branch, and out of the executive branch and the legislative branch, and I've spoken out consistently against them and I want to know who the leakers are.

REPORTER: Mr. President, with no opponent, how can you spend $170 million or more on your primary campaign?
DUBYA: Just watch.

I've seen all kinds of protests since I've been the President. I remember the protests against trade. A lot of people didn't feel like free trade was good for the world. I completely disagree. I think free trade is good for both wealthy and impoverished nations. But that didn't change my opinion about trade. As a matter of fact, I went to the Congress to get trade promotion authority out.

I was disappointed that the Congress did not respond to the $3.5 billion we asked for. They not only reduced the budget that we asked for, they earmarked a lot of the money. That's a disappointment, a disappointment when the executive branch gets micromanaged by the legislative branch.

And I look forward to working with Congress. As you know, appropriators are appropriators. They live up to their name, whether they be Republicans or Democrats. They like to appropriate. And our jobs as chief executives is to make sure they appropriate within reasonable levels.