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MS. PERINO: Hello. Happy Friday. Today Senator John McCain announced his vice presidential pick, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska. The White House is energized and excited by this choice. President Bush called Governor Palin just before his meeting with President Kikwete of Tanzania. He said that the McCain-Palin ticket is very strong. He wished her good luck, told her that she will be a fantastic vice presidential candidate, and that he is looking forward to a great victory in November.

Also, President Bush today just issued an emergency declaration for the state of Louisiana. This declaration provides for federal aid to supplement the state and local preparations for tropical storm -- or soon to be hurricane Gustav. FEMA is authorized to provide resources, equipment, and direct federal assistance. Secretary Chertoff and Administrator Paulison have been in the Gulf Coast region meeting with state and local officials about the preparations, and today Secretary Chertoff will be traveling to Mississippi and will meet Governor Barbour about Mississippi's planning for the potential landfall of the storm.

And that's all I have. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: We have no changes to the schedule, and we'll let you know if there are any. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Sure, happy to. The President is looking forward to the honor of speaking at the Republican Convention on Monday night. The speech expresses gratitude. The President will thank his family, his administration, and most of all, the friends, supporters and volunteers in the convention hall who have supported him and the Republican agenda for these past eight years.

The speech reviews the major issues facing the country, from terrorism and war to the economy and the direction of our culture. Above all, the speech reflects on the role of the presidency and the qualities that are demanded by the job, and makes the case that John McCain is the best qualified to be our next leader and commander-in-chief. In particular, it highlights McCain's unique judgment, perspective, and experience to deal with the unexpected, to stand firm on his convictions, put the country above himself, and make hard decisions necessary to protect the American people.

The speech rallies Republicans to have confidence in America's future and to do everything they can to elect John McCain to the presidency.

A couple of things that the speech does not do: Do not expect this speech to define the President's legacy. This is not an opportunity to recap accomplishments of the past seven and a half years. It will not serve as a farewell to the American people, and it certainly will not attack Barack Obama. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Because he's got class. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: But this President knows better than almost any politician in America what it's like to face criticism. He watched his dad as vice presidential candidate for two terms go through that, and then when his dad ran for President, he saw it again, and then in his own campaigns, the two national elections. He knows what it's like in high political season, and he's not going to respond to every attack.

But some of the attacks are just out-and-out false; for example, suggesting that the Bush administration hasn't invested in alternative or renewable energies. Everybody in this room knows that that's not true. So we're in high political season. We're not going to let it get to us. We're going to focus on the big picture. And most importantly, President Bush will be working to make sure that John McCain is the next President of the United States. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I think that's it. We're just going to be giving the speech, and then in the tradition of past Presidents, he will spend the rest of the week, we call it down, and he'll be at Camp David for the week. So we get back from Minnesota and go straight to Camp. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Okay. And one other question about -- back on the hurricane. Obviously things will be developing

MS. PERINO: At the moment, nothing to be -- for a presidential event that would be open to the public. But he will be getting an update in the morning. He's gotten -- he had, I think, two today already. And when Chertoff and Paulison have updates they pass them either through senior staff or directly to the President. Secretary Chertoff spoke to the President yesterday by phone.

Look, we're taking the storm very seriously. Thankfully, so are the leaders of the states that could be impacted, and they seem to be well prepared. We certainly applaud the state leaders for all that they've done to get their regions organized, to provide for early evacuation for people with special needs who might need it. So everything seems like it's on track. But it's a very serious storm and so we are taking it seriously. And things could change in a moment's notice. Right now the storm is scheduled to land Tuesday afternoon, but we've seen that change over the hour. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: All I know is, not right now. (Laughter.) I don't know, Wendell. It's hard to say. It's speculation and if I were to guess I'd probably be wrong. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: No, I would look to -- you all can fact-check it yourselves. We're not going to. I'm not going to get into the -- into a back-and-forth with the Democratic presidential candidate, who had a really good convention and -- but we do recognize that this President has been unfairly attacked across the board by many Democrats for quite a while. But certainly as we get into this last eight weeks of the presidential campaign, tensions will probably flare, but this President has a lot of class, he's very gracious, and he also is very focused. And so nothing gets him off his game.

Go ahead, Olivier. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Well, I'm certainly not surprised. And we continue to be dismayed that Russia has not fulfilled all of its requirements in the peace agreement that it signed, the one that Sarkozy sent that was a six-point plan. So we are focused on trying to make that agreement -- or get that agreement fulfilled, so those obligations to be fulfilled, and for the Russian military to be back into its posture that it was in on -- before the hostilities began on August 7th.

Georgia is going to need the support of the world. There is unison when you look at the reaction about a country's sovereignty, its independence, and its territorial integrity. And you've seen across the board, countries coming forward to announce their support for Georgia, and condemning the actions of Russia. And the results of that are that Russia is increasingly isolated, and will bear the consequences of that isolation unless they fulfill that agreement and then make amends. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q There is reporting, though, that Secretary Rice is bringing "clarifications" to the cease-fire

MS. PERINO: I have not heard that and I don't know if it's accurate, but we'll check on it, or refer you to State.

Kathleen. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q On the same topic, South Ossetians' parliamentary speaker said that in meetings between President

MS. PERINO: Again, I don't find any of this surprising, given the actions of the past three weeks. But South Ossetia and Abkhazia are a part of Georgia under U.N.-recognized laws, in fact, laws and Security Council resolutions that Russia itself has supported. And I don't believe that Russia would want anybody questioning its territorial integrity. And we certainly don't. But we do expect the world to live up to its obligations to live up to the -- and live up to the law. And the law is that Georgia's territorial integrity should be intact and it should not be a question. And so it doesn't surprise me, though, that Russia and South Ossetia or Abkhazia would be having those conversations. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: We're taking measured looks at all of this, but it's not just the United States; this is the international community and especially Europe, who has been very strong. You've had strong statements out of NATO, the G7, the OSCE, across the board, and then the individual countries themselves making strong statements that they stand with Georgia. They stand for democracy; they believe in the cause that these countries have been working towards.

And Georgia was a bright shining star economically there in the region, and they're going to need help reconstructing their economy. Right now what we're focused on is trying to get humanitarian aid in there, because there are many people who are homeless, or who are without food or clean drinking water, and so that has to be our priority right now. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: What we want is the posture before August 6th, and before August 6th you did not have Russian bases on that territory.

Victoria. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Speaking of that, I actually have a statement by the President I forgot to read. (Laughter.) We will release it, but let me give it to you here.

President Bush will say, in his words: Today Senator McCain made an exciting decision in choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to join him on his ticket as the vice presidential candidate. Governor Palin is a proven reformer who is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars and champion for accountability in government. Governor Palin's success is due to her dedication to principle and her "roll up your sleeves" work ethic, and services as a wonderful example of the spirit of America.

By selecting a working mother with a track record of getting things done, Senator McCain has once again demonstrated his commitment to reforming Washington.

I applaud Senator McCain for selecting Governor Palin. This decision is yet another example of why the American people can trust him to make wise decisions and to confidently lead this country. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Yes, I -- that's what I led off the briefing with -- he called her. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Yes. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I reject the notion that expanded powers were given to Vice President Cheney -- Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q I don't say that in a pejorative -- the President has always talked about the responsibilities

MS. PERINO: Yes, I see what you mean. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I think it will just depend. President Bush has relied on Vice President Cheney for many things, and one of it was the experience and judgment that he brought to the job in a variety of areas, for all of the service and dedication that he had had over the years. And he's been a steady hand and a good confidential advisor for this President.

And -- but every President gets to make their own decision as to how their Vice President would work. But what I saw today was that Senator McCain fully intends that Governor Palin will be by his side and will be a strong partner for him, and I think he couldn't have -- made a better choice.

Goyal. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Two quick questions. One, did President watch last night Senator Obama's acceptance speech? And

MS. PERINO: Sure. President Bush did not stay up to watch the speech last night, but he did see a lot of the reporting on it this morning and watched some of the pieces. So he did see it. And absolutely, it was a great moment for America that we have -- that shows that we've come a long way. And he certainly congratulated Senator Obama on this achievement and it speaks volumes for this country, that it's an opportunity -- it's a land of opportunity for all people. And he's going to be focusing his efforts now on the contest to come, which is the presidential election and he'll be supporting John McCain. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q And second, as far as the President's travel to China -- Olympics now over -- many human rights

MS. PERINO: President Bush did raise all of those issues before he got to China, and then with the Chinese directly, and he will continue to, as will the rest of the world, and continue to put pressure to allow for more human rights in the area.

Go ahead. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Okay. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Not off the top of my head, but we can look for you. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q And secondly, can you talk a little bit about his feelings about the changed circumstances? After

MS. PERINO: I don't think that you can speak for the delegates of this country, especially of the GOP. This is a party that has stood by the President, and -- but conventions are about the next President and who the candidates are going to be, and it's their chance to shine. And we intend for the spotlight to shine fully on John McCain. And that's what the President is going to do in his speech, is spend the great majority of it talking about how our nation has faced significant challenges on several different fronts, and that John McCain is the type of person who can come in and start leading immediately, because he's got the experience to do so. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Not from this President, no.

Mark. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: No, but we were informed beforehand. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Good morning. A couple of announcements. Welcome back, first of all. Look at this, we have a new podium that is actually my size -- (laughter) -- and I can see over the top of it. So hopefully that will be a good sign.

First of all, federal officials here at the Homeland Security Council and then at the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA and the National Hurricane Center are closely watching the progression of Gustav -- this is the tropical storm -- and they're preparing for its potential landfall. The FEMA Administrator is in Louisiana today, and the Secretary of Homeland Security will travel to the area this afternoon.

Secretary Chertoff spoke to Governor Jindal yesterday regarding the state's preparation and their need for federal assistance. And then FEMA Administrator Paulison spoke to Governor Barbour this morning.

All residents in the region are encouraged to make personal preparations and listen to guidance from state and local officials. Information is available at ready.gov on how families and individuals can best prepare for the storm.

A update on a visit from a foreign leader. President Bush will welcome President Martin Torrijos of the Republic of Panama to the White House on September 17, 2008. Panama is an important friend and ally of the United States. The President looks forward to discussing a range of issues with him, including our common commitment to the United States-Panama trade promotion agreement, expanding free trade and strengthening democracy throughout the region, enhancing security cooperation and strengthening cooperation in international issues.

This visit, following President Torrijos's visit last May, underscores the ongoing deep friendship and cooperation between the United States and Panama.

And finally, we received good news earlier this morning with a strong upward revision of second quarter gross domestic product from 1.9 percent to 3.3 percent; that exceeds all expectations. This level of growth is demonstrating the resilience of our economy, even in the face of high energy prices and the housing market downturn. Another positive sign was the decline in the number of new people who are filing for unemployment benefits, and that's been a good trend as well.

Economic growth in the second quarter was led by strong growth in consumer spending, in part by the economic growth package that was passed last February, and also by very strong export growth. The strong growth in exports we've seen in recent years demonstrates just how important it is to continue with President Bush's efforts to open markets for America's goods and services. There should be no question that trade contributes to economic growth and creates jobs here at home for American workers and farmers. And when Congress gets back from its recess, it should continue this momentum by passing the Colombia free trade agreement and the other FTAs we have negotiated.

And with that, I'll take questions. Ben. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Dana, on two of the topics you mentioned -- on the economy, is the White House at this point seeing

MS. PERINO: Well, we're pleased with the numbers. We think that they are heading in the right direction. We want to make sure that we do everything we can to keep them going in the upward trend. But the way you described it, no, I wouldn't say that, and no one's doing a victory dance, but what we are doing is making sure that we continue to press Congress on one of the most important aspects, which is free trade.

If the American economy is increasingly able to export its goods and services around the world, that is good for all of us, and it's good for those countries, their consumers and their businesses, as well as for us. And so that's why we are aggressive on free trade and will continue to be over the next month. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Sure. He gets regular updates. He had one yesterday afternoon and then again this morning from senior staff. If there is an update this afternoon, I'll let you know. I think that he'll be speaking with Secretary Chertoff, but as I said Secretary Chertoff is going to be traveling so I don't know the exact time. So, yes, he's involved, engaged, and getting briefings and working to make sure that the federal assistance is there, but that obviously state and local authorities have responsibilities. And by all accounts and purposes, they are following through on those. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: We have no scheduling changes to announce. Remember, this is Thursday morning. Now the hurricane -- the tropical storm at this point -- if it turns into a hurricane, we'll have to then change the name. But it's now scheduled to make landfall sometime on Tuesday. So these storms have a tendency to change and so I don't have a scheduling update for you now. Right now everything is on schedule. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I think it's premature -- too premature to say. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I think it's too premature to say. We'll just continue to watch it, do what we need to do to make sure that all the plans are in place to make sure evacuations are implemented, that we provide for the other types of materials that they need, or -- in terms of wood, or if they need ice -- wood for boarding up windows. So that's where our focus is. I think it's premature. I know that everyone is very interested to see whether or not there will be a scheduling change. I just don't have one to announce right now. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Obviously a Category 3 or 4 storm is one of huge significance, no matter where it would hit in the United States. And so the President is engaged to make sure that we're doing all we can to help those state and local officials.

Yes. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Again, I think it's a little bit premature. Let's -- we need to see where this storm is headed. Things change. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Yes, he was just there in New Orleans and Mississippi to highlight and focus on the redevelopment and reconstruction of that area. So we'll let you know if there's a change. Right now it's just premature.

Brianna. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Vladimir Putin just told CNN that the U.S. orchestrated the Georgia conflict for political purposes

MS. PERINO: I think that those claims, first and foremost, are patently false. But it also sounds like his defense officials who said they believe this to be true are giving him really bad advice. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Here in the United States and with our allies, I don't see an increase in the rhetoric. What I do see is unanimity for the sovereignty, the independence, and the territorial integrity of Georgia. And you've had strong statements, but I don't think that necessarily equates an escalation of the rhetoric. It's that people feel very strongly that territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence are to be respected. And in fact, throughout several U.N. Security Council resolutions, Russia has recognized the territorial integrity of Georgia. And so it's going back on its word. We also are very concerned because Russia continues not to be in full compliance with the agreement that it signed on to just two weeks ago.

And so we are going to continue to press. There will be consequences for Georgia, and I think that they -- I'm sorry, consequences for Russia -- and I think that this isolation that they are feeling throughout the world towards them is just one of those consequences, and there will be others. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: It just is -- to suggest that the United States orchestrated this on behalf of a political candidate just sounds not rational. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q France is saying that the European Union is getting ready to consider sanctions on Russia over

MS. PERINO: I don't know if France has shared their internal discussions with us, but even if they had, I probably couldn't discuss them here. What I can tell you is that we are in the process of reevaluating our relationship with Russia. And we are doing that in concert with our international partners such as France, but also many others, including Germany and all the NATO countries. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I think it's premature to say. I don't know what ultimately will result from the process that people are in to discuss what the consequences may be. We just aren't there yet. It's premature to say. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Russia's actions in recent weeks have clearly cast grave doubts on its intentions, its purposes, and its reliability as an international partner. It is critically important at this time of uncertainty that we are consulting and coordinating very closely with our friends, especially those who literally are living in the shadow of Russia's recent power play.

But also with our allies throughout Europe, the West, and the broader international community, Russia's actions pose a serious challenge to us all. They merit and demand a unified response from the free world -- one that is based on a sober appreciation of the new realities created by recent events; that responds thoughtfully but with firmness and resolve to the immediate needs of this crisis; but that also provides a long-term strategic framework going forward that will responsibly protect and advance our interests and values in the months and years ahead.

And this includes, I should stress, our fervent hope that Russia's leaders will over time reconsider the costs, benefits and wisdom of Russia's recent behavior, and move to help us reestablish a basis for picking up again the consistent course that every American President since the end of the Cold War has placed near the very top of his agenda -- and that is to deepen the U.S.-Russian relationship, to lead the effort to promote Russia's integration into the international community as a full and equal partner, and to help build a Europe that is undivided and committed to a common set of principles, including democracy, the rule of law, and respect for the sovereignty and independence of all its members, regardless of their size, power or geographic disposition.

Let me now quickly run through the basics of each of the stops. The centerpiece of the visit to Baku on Wednesday will be a meeting and dinner with President Aliyev and his team. As I indicated earlier, the Vice President has known President Aliyev for quite some time. And he met the current President Aliyev when he was, again, I think, Azerbaijan's Minister of Oil. When President Aliyev made a working visit to Washington a few years ago, the Vice President hosted him for lunch at the Vice President's residence.

In addition to their discussion of recent events in Georgia, there are a number of other important topics on the U.S.-Azerbaijan agenda. Azerbaijan has been an important partner in the war on terror, not only through its cooperation on counterterrorism, but in contributing troops in both Afghanistan and Iraq. I think the Vice President will want to express America's appreciation for that assistance.

I also expect that energy will be a major topic of conversation, obviously, especially in light of the global energy situation, currently. The importance of working with Azerbaijan to help its people develop their energy resources and reliably bring them to market is a very strong common interest, not just for the United States but for all the nations of Europe, as well, as they plan for their own energy futures.

Other important issues in Azerbaijan include the need to resolve peacefully the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh; the international community's concerns with respect to Iran; and our continued support for efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in Azerbaijan, where I believe they're scheduled to hold a presidential election in the near future.

In Georgia on Thursday, the Vice President's time will obviously be consumed assessing with President Saakashvili and his team the aftermath and implications of this crisis. Again, the Vice President knows President Saakashvili well. They have spoken by phone on at least a couple of occasions since the outbreak of this crisis.

As you know, at the President's direction, Secretary Gates has been overseeing a significant U.S. relief effort to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the Georgian people. The Vice President wants to get a first-hand assessment of the heroic job being done by U.S. personnel, as well as how the overall international relief operations are progressing in light of the continued difficult circumstances on the ground.

Finally, I'm sure that the Vice President and President Saakashvili will also look beyond the immediate situation and discuss in depth the need for a comprehensive long-term strategy by the international community to help Georgia recover and rebuild, including the critical task of supporting the democratic choice of the Georgian people to integrate further with Euro-Atlantic institutions, including NATO.

In Ukraine, the Vice President arrives on Thursday night, and he's currently scheduled to attend a private dinner with Mrs. Cheney and President Yushchenko and his wife. He'll then hold a working meeting with President Yushchenko on Friday, as well as a meeting with Prime Minister Tymoshenko. Here, again, the Vice President knows these leaders quite well, especially President Yushchenko who he's met several times since Ukraine's Orange Revolution, and spoken to by phone on numerous occasions.

Again, in addition to the situation in Georgia and reaffirming the great importance we place on our relations with Ukraine, I think the Vice President will want to thank Ukraine for its support in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. And despite great challenges, Ukraine continues to develop its democracy and its economy, and to seek deeper integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions, including NATO. The United States has long supported Ukraine in these efforts, and we will want to continue doing so, going forward.

Finally, in Italy, there are two parts to the visit. The first consists of the Vice President's appearance at the Ambrosetti Conference at Lake Como, where he's agreed to give a speech that will look at some of the key challenges facing the Trans-Atlantic alliance. The Vice President has received numerous invitations over the last several years to attend this conference, and this trip provided a good opportunity, finally, to accept.

After Lake Como, he's off to Rome for discussions on Monday and Tuesday with Italy, our longtime ally and key NATO and G8 partner. The Vice President will hold meetings with both the Italian President and Prime Minister, and will discuss a full range of issues on our common agenda -- from the crisis in Georgia to the situation in the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran.

Why don't I stop there, and see if there are questions. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I think I'll just decline to say because I don't know what the final outcome will be. And so they'll have to take a look at the range of issues that could result.

I saw the other day that someone suggested -- maybe it was even President Medvedev himself who said that they don't fear a new Cold War. I don't think anyone should be looking for a new Cold War. What we would like to see is the return to the status quo before August 7th and the hostilities began; before Russia invaded Georgia; before the disproportional response to the regular flare-ups that happen in the summertime out in that area. And from there, what we would like to see is a return to a place where we can have integration of Russia into the international community.

Unfortunately, it's Russia that made the choice to take several steps backward in that regard, and I think that even if you look at the Russian economy and the questions that businesses have about whether or not to continue to do business there and what's happening in their stock market and what's happening across the board in their country, that this is very troubling for Russia and a time for the countries who believe in sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity to band together to fight against it. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I think that -- well, the President, first of all, has asked that the Vice President visit these particular countries first. There's obviously a division of labor that happens in these things. There's a lot of diplomacy to be done. First and foremost, I think the principal is with your friends and with your allies. There will be ample time and opportunities for discussions with Russia, both by us and by our allies. Secretary Rice is on top of a lot of that. There are contacts going on now. But I think for this trip, the President thought it was important for the Vice President to make these particular stops. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I'll do Mark first. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Could you talk a little bit -- you mentioned energy on a couple of occasions there. Can you talk

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I can't say too much more beyond the fact that the United States and Europe and Turkey and other countries have long been interested in ensuring a diversity of supplies and supply routes of energy to Europe and the international market. And Azerbaijan and Central Asia and the Caspian Basin, in general, provide great opportunities to develop additional resources and put new reserves on the international market. And the United States and our allies, I think, have long expressed support for helping those countries develop those resources. And that's what we'll discuss -- what he'll discuss with President Aliyev and others. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I don't think there's anything to announce yet, but I know that that is under discussion. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, the Russian incursion in Georgia, I mean, it remains to be seen exactly what the strategic implications of it are. Obviously, there are a lot of countries in that region that are quite concerned about what all this means. And I think part of the purpose of all of this is to get a first-hand chance to privately have some very candid discussions with these leaders about their concerns and views about what the future holds, and how we can work together to address some of those concerns.

Specifically on the energy front, I mean I -- you know, I would point you to Foreign Minister Miliband's speech yesterday in Ukraine, and the kind of impact he observed there about what the most recent events portend for the way Europe thinks about its energy future, and the way the rest of the world needs to think about energy security in light of this unpredictable behavior by Russia that stands as a major supplier of oil and gas into Europe. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I don't know. They had a private dinner, but if I get anything more on it, I'll let you know. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q If I may follow up, that seems to be part of the reason why the reaction from Europe, while unified

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: What's the question? Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: No, I would say that we're just taking a very methodical look at the range of issues and working with our partners. One of the most immediate focuses that we have is to return to the status quo before the hostilities began on August 7th. That's the immediate issues that we -- issue that we need to deal with. Then the other issues will come in time. This is not something that we're rushing into. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Listen, the importance of Russia's role in the overall international energy market, particularly Europe's, I think, is an indisputable fact. It's a reality that I think obviously enters the calculations of Europe and everyone else when they figure out how we best respond to this crisis.

On the other hand, I would say that I think people have been quite impressed with the unity and the universality within the alliance in places like the G7 -- both how deplorable Russia's military action was, and the illegitimate nature of the subsequent step it took to unilaterally try and alter Georgia's borders by recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I think, clearly, the NATO statement on these events, and the statements by individual countries, the G7 statement by foreign ministers yesterday, will happen at the upcoming meeting of EU leaders and the diplomacy going forward. I think you're only going to see that kind of unity enhanced. And it's obviously an important purpose in these kinds of visits that the Vice President is undertaking. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q And on -- the Israeli press is reporting that for the first time in the country's history, there

MS. PERINO: I can't, but we'll check into it and get back to you.

Victoria. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I am certainly not going to reveal to you what may or may not happen in these discussions and what he's going to do. I'd simply say, do not underestimate what has happened already -- the unity of condemnation that we have seen of the Russian actions; what that portends potentially for Russia's own place and standing in the international community. I just wouldn't underestimate that -- which is not at all to say, and I don't want to imply that -- and I think I've said -- that a strategy is underway and is being developed. But I'm just not going to get into the details at this point in time. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Victoria, there are discussions that are underway. The United States is not going to be rushed into making decisions without having thoroughly looked at all of the issues. So I just can't give you a date as to when this will occur. I don't think -- and I don't really think it's that important.

Go ahead. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, I mean, the immediate -- beyond simply energy, the most important is that Russia has just taken a military action against one of its neighbors. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Well, as we said yesterday, we are in close contact with our six-party partners. And we have said to the North Koreans that there will be action for action, but that means that they have to have a verified -- a verification protocol that's in place before any action that we would take would move forward. And so we are waiting on them right now to come forward with a verification protocol. And that was reaffirmed by the other members of the six-party talks. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's taken action to attempt to unilaterally change that neighbor's borders both by force and by some political action. And it obviously has a number of other neighbors that are in similar situations and are wondering what all this means for them. I'm not sure anybody has exactly the right answer, a definitive answer on all of that. And an awful lot depends on what the Russians themselves do. I don't think anybody wants to close the door -- that Russia has very real choices to make here. In fact, Russia has probably the most important choices to make on how all this unfolds going forward.

They've got a great responsibility here to think about what it is they've done and where they're headed, and the opportunity costs of that in terms of what's happened over the last 20 years in terms of the transformation of their relationship both with the United States and with the West in general, which I think has been very much in Russia's interest and the interest of the world. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I think that what we are looking for is -- they've made a statement, but I think their actions are important, and I'll go back to the philosophy of action for action in the six-party talks is what has got us to this point, where they just blew up their cooling tower, where they have provided a declaration; those are the things that they were supposed to do. But the other thing -- there was a third leg of that stool, and that was that they had to put forward a verification protocol. They have not done that yet, and until they do, we will not move forward on the terrorism list.

Go ahead, Mike. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Are there any specific implications for energy infrastructure that the Vice President thinks should

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I think by its actions one has to assume -- and you can read the statements of the Western leaders -- that the level of confidence and trust that people have in Russia's overall reliability has been put in serious question by what's happened, including -- and I would assume that extends to energy and the issue of energy supplies.

Now, the United States has had a priority for quite some time in trying to lead an effort to encourage this diversification of energy infrastructure and pipelines and supplies, particularly to Europe, of gas. And I think we're on the record of supporting Nabucco. And I don't think anything about this, these recent events, has done anything but reenforce the sense that that basic strategy is important and critical, and one that has to be pursued, if anything with greater energy by us and by our European partners. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Okay, those are like four questions in one. (Laughter.) Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q You talked about the opportunity cost that Russia faces here. Doesn't it seem like, at least in

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I -- you know, just from a diplomatic standpoint, Steve, I -- nobody is closing any doors here. I think you've got to prepare for potentially that kind of scenario. But the ramifications are obviously very, very big if, in fact, you're correct that Russia has definitively decided this is the course it's on; this is the way it's not only going to treat Georgia, but that it will proceed in other areas along its borders. That has very large strategic implications that we -- obviously people need to consider and think about.

Secretary Gates has talked about the need for this kind of reassessment to happen. But again, to say that something is irreversible, or that the Russians can't be made, through a variety of diplomatic and economic interventions, and using other tools that the international community has, come to see that the strategic consequences of this are much too high to pay for Russia in terms of the loss of its standing and relationships and future potential -- both with the United States, Europe, much of the rest of the international community -- we hope that there will be a reconsideration, specifically of what's happened here in Georgia. If there are broader objectives that Russia is pursuing, we hope in that course, as well. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Yes, I'm sure you could. I think it's a little premature for me to preview the speech, but I'll see if I can do that for you tomorrow at the briefing. What I will tell you is President Bush is going to spend the majority of his time in his speech making the case for John McCain, for John McCain to be President of the United States. It will not be a reprise of the past seven and a half years. This will focus on John McCain and why he's the right person to be President of the United States, and looking forward rather than looking back. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I'm not -- I mean, U.S. objectives and purposes here in terms of our long-term relationship with Georgia and this region are consistent. So it seems to me that there's a commonality in agendas that is right and proper, and it should be in any great power's diplomacy. You know, this is a very dynamic and moving situation. Secretary Rice went there at a particular time: there were still active hostilities; the Russians had assumed a particular military posture in Georgia; the French were actively trying to work that cease-fire agreement. Secretary Rice was very actively engaged in trying to refine and get that pinned down. So there was a very immediate need that needed to be met that she did very, very well.

We've clearly moved to a different point in time now with U.S. humanitarian -- a large-scale humanitarian relief effort underway. Georgia then is assessing its medium- and longer-term needs on how it's going to rebuild its economy, reestablish some measure of security, how it will relate to the international community and the kind of support it needs. So given that kind of dynamism, I don't think you can have -- and given the need of the Georgian people and the people in that region to know and to hear again and again about the United States' commitment to stay involved, that we are not going anywhere and that we're going to continue to build our relationships with these countries, that's something that they very much need to hear. And I don't think you can do it often enough. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: No, this is -- first of all, the speech is later but that is because the President of the United States will be the last speaker of the evening, so the build-up of the night will lead to the President. But the President of the United States himself decided that he would follow precedent from other Presidents who got out of town, because this is -- he is not on the ballot, this is about John McCain, and we intend to allow the spotlight to shine fully on him during this convention next week. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No, I don't -- I mean, again, this is -- there are immediate needs in this crisis, and then there is a need and a very -- clearly, it is urgent, but there is a need to soberly and very responsibly figure out how we and our allies are going to proceed in this circumstance, given the stakes involved. And that process is underway. It is very, very active. But I'm not here -- going to get into any specifics or details about it. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I would point you back to what President Bush said when Barack Obama successfully secured the nomination back in the spring, in which he held it up as a wonderful moment for not just African Americans, but for all of America. And so he has continued to feel that way. And now the contest is between two candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain. And I don't know how much the President has been watching the Democratic Convention. He just got back yesterday afternoon. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Can you talk a little bit about the Black Sea and the various NATO ships that are there, and the

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: The only thing I can tell you, if there are concerns -- and I know that I've read about press reports of concerns being expressed -- they're just completely baseless. This is nothing but what we have said it is, which is a full-fledged effort to get humanitarian supplies in to people that have undergone enormous suffering. That's what it is. That's what we've told the Russians it is. So far we've had a good record of getting that aid in. Now we need to get it distributed to the people who need it. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: I don't know. I'll see. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's unclear to me exactly what -- SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's one of the things that he wanted us to figure out, a way to incorporate that during our time in Georgia. I know our -- (inaudible) -- is working on that, and certainly the goal being we don't interfere in any way with the distribution or any movements. So I think they're still working through that. But as of right now, that's on the schedule. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: That he'd like to do. And he will certainly be getting the report and assessment from people on the ground engaged in this effort who will -- who are very knowledgeable about it, and give him, I think, a very solid briefing on where we stand and what more needs to be done. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: If there aren't any more questions -- I mean, if you have some, please ask them. But if not, then we can let you go. SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you all. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Nope, not practicing, but it's getting -- it's nearing completion in terms of the drafting.

Yes, Goyal. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Was he annoyed? Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Two quick questions. One follow of Sheryl -- as far as this first not only like you say African

MS. PERINO: President Bush has said and he strongly believes that America is the best country on earth and a place where everybody, if they work hard, can achieve great things. And I think what Barack Obama's nomination shows is that America is a wonderful land of opportunity and we've come a long way and it's something that we can be very proud of. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Now, that -- he's never been annoyed; you know that. (Laughter.) Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q And second, as far as -- the President is watching or has been briefed as far as the situation

MS. PERINO: Yes, the President is kept fully briefed on it, and I would refer you to Department of Defense, who would have more on their recent conversations with their military.

Yes. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I can't tell you want his initial reaction is. I think he's been like the President, and from everybody on down, very much focused on the complete and utter deplorable nature of what the Russians have done here, both militarily as well as this attempt politically to dismember Georgia, to change its borders by force. And that's been the consistent message I've gotten from him, other than the need to go in there and help our friends and allies rebuild out of this crisis, and to reassure them about the continued and deep interest of the United States in this region, and our determination to remain there engaged. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: Go here, and then I'll come right back. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Can I just ask one last follow-up? You mentioned reassuring them, and it's what he's going to

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Again, let me tell you, the Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney, showing up in places he hasn't been before I think is a reassuring step. And I think the Vice President, and the President, who thought it important enough to send him there on this kind of mission in the middle of this kind of crisis, I just would not underestimate the importance of that signal.

We do already have, I think, quite extensive and deep relationships with these countries. And as I said, we're determined to continue to strengthen those relationships, whether in the economic field, the political field, the security field, the way we work with them, and particularly with regard to Ukraine and Georgia, their aspirations to move closer to Euro-Atlantic institutions, including NATO. So I think there will be important discussions on all of those that will advance that agenda and intention on the part of the United States, and I think on the part of all of our allies in Europe. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: No, we have studiously avoided, as you will learn, getting into 2008 politics, so I'm not going to comment.

Go ahead. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It is, yes. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: In Georgia? Or Gustav region? Oh, okay, sorry. (Laughter.) Wildly different questions and answers. (Laughter.) But I don't think the military -- we're assessing the needs right now. Secretary Chertoff is there to talk to both Governor Jindal, and then Governor Barbour talked to FEMA Director Paulison, to find out what they need from the federal government. I think right now the focus is on helping the state and locals perform their responsibilities, which is to evacuate where appropriate, make sure that assets are prepositioned.

FEMA is going to have a conference call for reporters this afternoon at 2:30 p.m., and they might have more of an update for you at that point. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Yes. And I think the same thing for Azerbaijan. Ukraine, all I'm aware of is that he went there as a congressman at some point in time. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MS. PERINO: No. But we have -- Read more Comment (0), Email this.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: This is new. He's had invitations from each of these countries for quite some time now that he hasn't been able to take up. He's been very interested in doing it; they've been very interested in having him come there. And circumstances are clearly unfortunate, but they are in some ways -- make it all the more important that he get there. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: We're on our way back to Washington, D.C., I guess the last visit to Crawford for August, for last August, last hot August in Crawford for the President and all of you. So we're on our way back to Washington.

The President had his normal briefings this morning. He'll return to the White House, and then this evening, the President will have dinner with Secretary Rice. As you know, the Secretary was recently in the Middle East for meetings with the Palestinian leaders and the Israeli leadership, and previously was in Poland, Georgia and Iraq. So Secretary Rice will have an opportunity to update the President this evening on developments in all of those areas.

Then we have a couple quick announcements for you. Last year President Bush signed an executive order to direct specific federal agencies to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat. In this EO, the President directed the Chairman of the Council of Environmental Quality to host a White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy for exchanging information and ideas about the goals of the EO. Today we're pleased to announce that this conference will be held October 1-3 in Reno, Nevada. We'll have more details about the speakers and the agenda in the coming weeks.

And also, I mentioned yesterday and just want to reiterate today that we're, of course, paying close attention to Tropical Storm Gustav. FEMA officials from throughout the Gulf region are reviewing all the plans and procedures in advance of the storm's potential landfall next week. Officials are reviewing supply prepositioning plans, and they're examining contracts for transportation of response items, which may be needed if the storm impacts the region.

It's important that citizens in these areas take the storm warnings seriously, listen to the guidelines of local authorities, and take necessary precautions, including adhering to any potential evacuation orders, if they're issued, in order to protect themselves from the storm.

So just an update that FEMA officials are in contact with disaster assistance agencies in the full breadth of states that could be impacted should this -- especially if the storm would strengthen and intensify and make landfall sometime -- I think the latest estimates are early next week.

With that, I'll take your questions. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: You can expect them to have extensive discussions about where things are going with respect to Russia and Georgia. Obviously the President has had communications with his staff and others. Last night he spoke to President Saakashvili again to get an update from the President, and Secretary Rice has been speaking to her counterparts.

I think what you saw yesterday, the reaction to Russia's action to attempt to recognize the two republics was met with a very strong international response of condemnation for that decision. And so I think Secretary Rice will have an opportunity to report back on Russia and Georgia; certainly on how the talks in the Middle East are going; her discussions with respect to Iraq and other areas. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: There was a phone call, yes. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: President Saakashvili called President Bush. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: I don't have a readout for you on it. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: No, the Chinese leaders will make their own decision. I think we've seen no countries follow Russia's lead. And I think you can take that into comparison to, say, for example, recognition of Kosovo, where scores of countries followed the lead to recognize Kosovo. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: I think everyone has called on Russia to rescind its decision. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: I'm not into looking for signs. I think we will continue to make our case. Europe, the United States and other leaders around the world will make the case to Russia that this is a very short-sighted decision on their part, and it's forced them to take a step back with respect to their relations with the rest of the world, and that step back has costs and consequences.

I think you've heard others out there -- even since yesterday I saw David Miliband give a very excellent speech today in the Ukraine. I think we would agree with I think everything that the Minister said in Ukraine. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Q Tony, the President first issued a statement urging Russia's leaders not to grant -- or to grant

MR. FRATTO: That's a decision for the President to make. It could be a decision that he may want to make at some point in time. And he hasn't -- like I said yesterday, there's no ambiguity with respect to our position, and the Russians understand that. We've been very clear, the European leaders have been very clear, NATO has been clear. The Secretary General of the United Nations made his position known yesterday. So I think Russia has gotten the message. I'm not going to try to speculate as to when that message will influence their decisions. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: No. I -- Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: That's something for him to answer. Each -- every one of these situations is different, and to try to compare them is just -- it's -- Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: It's not a -- it doesn't follow rationally. You can go back and look at the facts of Kosovo and see that there was extensive international involvement in how to resolve the situation in the former Yugoslavian republics. There was long-established evidence of genocide in Kosovo. There were entreaties and envoys -- entreaties made to leaders in the former Yugoslav republics and envoys sent to discuss these issues. The outcome was part of a very elaborate international process.

None of these things happened with respect to Georgia and the two republics. So the comparisons just simply don't hold up. And, by the way, it was only, what, a week, 10 days ago, that President Medvedev signed an agreement brought to him by President Sarkozy that specifically called for international discussions to resolve the status of the two Georgian regions. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: I think he saw some of the coverage of it. I don't believe he was watching the convention itself. But I'm sure he'll watch parts of it at some point this week. You know, he's obviously a fan of politics and campaign politics and enjoys that, and I'm sure he'll find an opportunity to watch some of it here or there. Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: He is willing to -- he is supporting President McCain and he's aware of how -- Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: Did I say President McCain? Read more Comment (0), Email this.

MR. FRATTO: Well, we'll all be saying President McCain soon enough, don't worry. (Laughter.) Read more Comment (0), Email this.