Yesterday I had an interesting experience standing with his law clerks, and I could — started reading the notes that, of course, were adequately prepared for me, and the first person said he's a Democrat who supports Alito. The second person was a person who voted Green that supported Alito. The third a left-leaning woman Democrat who supported Alito. The fourth person I talked about was somebody who worked in the John Kerry campaign who supported Alito. I was wondering, where are all those Republican clerks. My point is, is that he has broad support from people who know him, people from both political parties, because he's a decent man who has got a lot of experience and he deserves an up or down vote on the floor of the Senate.

So the Palestinians had an election yesterday, and the results of which remind me about the power of democracy. You see, when you give people the vote, you give people a chance to express themselves at the polls — and if they're unhappy with the status quo, they'll let you know. That's the great thing about democracy, it provides a look into society.

We'll continue to work with the folks down there. But I want to remind the people in that part of the world, 85 billion dollars is a lot.

I said, before we do anything, I want to make sure it's legal. And so we had our lawyers look at it — and as part of the debate, discussion with the American people as to the legality of the program. There's no doubt in my mind it is legal.

REPORTER 1: What do you hear or your staff hear about releasing of photographs of Jack Abramoff with you, Mr. President? If you say you don't fear anything, tell us why you won't release them?
DUBYA: She's asking about a person who admitted to wrongdoing and who needs to be prosecuted for that. There is a serious investigation going on, as there should be. The American people have got to have confidence in the — in the ethics of all branches of government. You're asking about pictures — I had my picture taken with him, evidently. I've had my picture taken with a lot of people. Having my picture taken with someone doesn't mean that I'm a friend with them or know them very well. I've had my picture taken with you — at holiday parties. My point is, I mean, there's thousands of people that come through and get their pictures taken. I'm also mindful that we live in a world in which those pictures will be used for pure political purposes, and they're not relevant to the investigation.
REPORTER 1: Do you know how many?
DUBYA: I don't have any idea.
...
REPORTER 2: Mr. President, you talked about Jack Abramoff in the context of pictures, but it may not necessarily just be about pictures. He also had some meetings with some of your staff. So you remember, you ran on the idea of restoring honesty and integrity to the White House. So why are you letting your critics perhaps attack you and paint you with maybe a guilt by association? Why not just throw open your books and say, look, here is —
DUBYA: There is a serious investigation going on by federal prosecutors, and that's their job. And they will — if they believe something was done inappropriately in the White House, they'll come and look, and they're welcome to do so. There's a serious investigation that's going on.
REPORTER 2: But, sir, don't you want to tell the American people look, as I promised, this White House isn't for sale and I'm not for sale?
DUBYA: It's hard for me to say I didn't have pictures with the guy when I did. But I have also had pictures with thousands and thousands of people. I mean, people — it's part of the job of the President to shake hands and — with people and smile. And I do. And the man contributed to my campaigns, but he contributed, either directly or through his clients, to a lot of people in Washington. And this needs to be cleared up so the people have confidence in the system.
...
REPORTER 3: Can I ask you again, why won't you release the photos of yourself with Jack Abramoff?
DUBYA: I just answered the question.

And so this is a time where we've been in theater for — been in this war against terror for five years.

REPORTER: The FISA law was implemented in 1978 in part because of revelations that the National Security Agency was spying domestically. What is wrong with that law if you feel you have to circumvent it and, as you just admitted, expand presidential power?
DUBYA: May I — if I might, you said that I have to circumvent it. There — wait a minute. That's a — there's something — it's like saying, you know, you're breaking the law. I'm not. See, that's what you've got to understand. I am upholding my duty, and at the same time, doing so under the law and with the Constitution behind me. That's just very important for you to understand. Secondly, the FISA law was written in 1978. We're having this discussion in 2006. It's a different world. And FISA is still an important tool. It's an important tool. And we still use that tool. But also — and we — look — I said, look, is it possible to conduct this program under the old law? And people said, it doesn't work in order to be able to do the job we expect us to do.

REPORTER: I seem to remember a time in Texas on another problem — taxes — where you tried to get out in front and tell people it's not a crisis now, it's going to be a crisis down the line. You went down in flames on that one. Why is there —
DUBYA: Actually, I — let me — let me, if I might — I don't think a billion dollar tax relief that permanently reduced property taxes on senior citizens was flames — but since you weren't a senior citizen, perhaps that's your definition of flame. Yeah —
REPORTER: What is there about government —
DUBYA: 'Cause you're not a senior citizen yet.
REPORTER: I'm getting there. What is there about government that makes it hard —
DUBYA: Acting like one, however. Go ahead.
REPORTER: — that makes it hard for government to get —
DUBYA: Faulty memory.

There has been enormous sacrifices made by some of our citizens in the spread of freedom.

Surveys show that the vast majority of people do want to participate in democracy. And, ahh, some are feeling intimidated. I urge alls people to vote.

I fully understand developing a democratic society in the — adhering to the traditions and customs of other nations will be a work in process.

We declared all people equal, and yet, all people weren't treated equally for a century. We said, everybody counts, but everybody didn't count.

Civil rights is a good education. Civil rights is opportunity. Civil rights is home ownership. Civil rights is owning your own business. Civil rights is making sure all aspects of our society are open for everybody.

DUBYA: how old is your child, Carl?
CARL: Fourteen years old.
DUBYA: Yes, 14. Well, if she were —
CARL: He, sir.
DUBYA: He, excuse me. I should have done the background check. She will — when she gets ready to — when she's 50, the system will be broke, if my math is correct.

Vladimir Putin — I have discussed with Vladimir Putin some of his decisions. I will continue — as you might remember in our meeting in Chile. I will continue to do so. I will remind him that if he intends to continue to look West, we in the West believe in Western values.

But in my meetings with Chinese leadership in the past, in my meetings with Chinese leadership in the future, I will constantly remind them of the benefits of a society that honors their people and respects human rights and human dignity.

REPORTER: Mr. President, I'd like to ask you about the Gonzales nomination, and specifically, about an issue that came up during it, your views on torture. You've said repeatedly that you do not sanction it, you would never approve it. But there are some written responses that Judge Gonzales gave to his Senate testimony that have troubled some people, and specifically, his allusion to the fact that cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment of some prisoners is not specifically forbidden so long as it's conducted by the CIA and conducted overseas. Is that a loophole that you approve?
DUBYA: Listen, Al Gonzales reflects our policy, and that is we don't sanction torture. He will be a great Attorney General, and I call upon the Senate to confirm him.
[Dubya points to another reporter...]