On August 6, 2001, President Bush received a “President’s Daily Brief” [“PDB”], warning that Osama bin Laden was determined to strike in the United States, that he prepares operations years in advance, that some uncorroborated reporting suggested that he wanted to hijack aircraft, and that FBI information indicated activity consistent with preparations for hijackings or other types of attacks.
According to the "News" and "Press Briefings" sections of the White House web site, this is what happened between August 6, 2001, and September 11, 2001.
On August 7, 2001, at the Ridgewood Country Club in Waco, TX, the President spoke with the press about activities on the ranch, golf, stem cell research, and the danger posed by Saddam Hussein.
On August 8, 2001, the President issued a statement that he and his wife were saddened at the death of Maureen Reagan, helped build a home in Waco with Habitat for Humanity spoke to the press in front of the home, where he touted Texas and expressed his concern about Iraq and Macedonia, and spoke about faith-based initiatives at a Habitat for Humanity event.
On August 9, Scott McClellan briefed the press at the Crawford Elementary School, Crawford, Texas, about stem cell research, a bombing in Jerusalem, the President's reaction to Maureen Reagan's death, and the logo for the "Western White House." The President gave a speech announcing his decision to oppose federal funding for stem cell research.
On August 10, 2001, the President announced that he was nominating John D. Ong to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Norway. and that he was nominating Ralph Leo Boyce to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Indonesia. The Deputy Press Secretary issued a statement on Northern Ireland.
On August 11, 2001, the President gave a radio address on his decision on stem cell research.
On August 13, at the Bosque Valley Golf Club in Meridian, Texas, the President gave the press a reaction to a suicide bombing in Israel. At the Bush Ranch in Crawford, Texas, the President spoke to the press about a visit to Texas by Vladimir Putin, stem cell research, the nature trail on his ranch, Argentina's economy, the virtues of Texas, and the budget. He signed a farm bill at the ranch and gave a speech about it. The press office released a presidential determination waiving the application of the Arms Export Control Act to allow sale of spare parts for armored personnel carriers and helicopters for use by Pakistan in Sierra Leone, and issued a statement on a political settlement in Macedonia.
On August 14, 2001, at Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, the President spoke to a YMCA picnic about changing the tone of bitterness in Washington, D.C., and character, spoke with the press about using forest management to minimize forest fire damage, and spoke with the press about the need for Arafat to clamp down on suicide bombers and Israel to exercise restraint. He also spoke with the president of Macedonia about the political settlement there, spoke to a fund-raising dinner in Denver, and announced that he would nominate Patrick Henry Wood III of Texas as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
On August 15, 2001, at Griegos Elementary School in Albuquerque, NM, the President spoke to students and teachers about the importance of reading and testing. In response to a presss question, he said that Arafat must discourage suicide bombers and the Israelis must be restrained in their response. At the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Albuquerque, he spoke about tax cuts, education and trade.
On August 16, 2001, the President issued statements on barriers to faith-based initiatives, the death of Congressman Floyd Spence, four nominations, floods in Tennessee, floods in Kentucky, floods in the District of Columbia, and floods in Thailand. He spoke at a dinner in Albuquerque for Sen. Pete Domenici, praising Domenici, and praising his own efforts to change the tone of bitterness and rancor in Washington, D.C., cut taxes, reform the military, reshape relations with Russia, and promote faith-based initiatives.
On August 17, 2001, the President announced a number of nominations, and announced continuation of an executive order on export controls.
On August 18, 2001, at the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas, the President gave a radio address on faith-faith initiatives.
On August 20, 2001, the President said hello to workers at a Harley Davidson factory in Menomonoee Falls, Wisconsin. In response to a question from the press, he denied that he was disconnected from the peace process in the Middle East. At Harry Truman High School in Independence, MO, he spoke about faith-based initiatives, limiting the right of patients to sue, cutting taxes and eliminating the estate tax, nationwide testing of students, the budget, and the culture of responsibility. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he spoke to the VFW convention about reforming the Veterans Administration and increasing defense spending. He also released statements regarding police reform in Northern Ireland, the signing of a bill reauthorizing the Tropical Forest Conservation Act, and a number of nominations to federal government positions.
On August 21, 2001, the President spoke at a Target Store snack bar in Kansas City, MO, principally about tax cuts.
On August 22, 2001, the President issued a statement on the retirement of Senator Jesse Helms, released a statement announcing a nomination and some appointments, and released a statement announcing a drawdown of $5 million in defense articles for Tunisia.
On August 22, 2001, at the Crawford Elementary School, Crawford, Texas, Ari Fleischer held the second press briefing since the August 6, 2001, PDB warning of Osama bin Laden's determination to strike in the United States. He announced that the President had spoken by phone with President Fox of Mexico. He commented that although the economy was weakening, the budget surplus was the second largest in history, a "sign of the strength of the budget." He responded to questions about immigration,
On August 23, 2001, the President spoke to students and faculty at Crawford Elementary School about the importance of reading, and his plans for the day, which included golf, meeting with National Security Advisor Rice, speaking with the personnel office, and meeting with a horticulturist who was to identify hardwood trees on the Bush ranch.
On August 24, 2001, the President announced the appointment of Richard Meyers as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In response to press questions, he urged Arafat to stop suicide bombings and urged the Israelis to show restraints, discussed defense spending, including the need for a missile defense system to stop a rogue nation from attacking the United States, and immigration.
On August 25, 2001, the President gave a tour of his ranch in Crawford, Texas. He gave a radio address on the budget.
On August 26, 2001, the President spoke about baseball at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA, and spoke at a steelworkers picnic in Pittsburgh, PA.
On August 27, 2001, the President released statements announcing his intention to nominate Kathleen Burton Clarke as Director of the Bureau of Land Management, and declaring Ohio a disaster area because of flooding in July.
On August 29, 2001, in San Antonio, the President spoke to the American Legion convention about reform at the Veterans Administration. He spoke of missile defense against attacks by rogue nations, and said that he would not permit any course that would leave America undefended. He also discussed education and tax cuts. He dedicated the grist mill at the San Jose Mission in San Antonio. He also released a statement appointing 13 people to a task force to improve health care delivery for veterans. Finally, he spoke in Waco, Texas, concerning the last flight of Boeing tail number 27000, which was Air Force One for years.
On August 30, 2001, the President released statements announcing his intention to nominate Roy Austin as ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, and to nominate Rockwell A. Schnabel as representative of the United States to the European Union.
On August 31, 2001, at a ceremony marking the launch of the White House web site, the president declared that his priorities for the fall would be education, economy, opportunity, and security. He praised his tax cuts.
Also on August 31, 2001, at the White House, Ari Fleischer held the third press briefing since the August 6, 2001, PDB warning of Osama bin Laden's determination to strike in the United States. He announced that the President would "focus like a laser beam on the economy, education, opportunity, and security." He said that the President would launch a major initiative on reading. He announced the President's Labor Day travel plans and the schedule for the state visit of Mexican President Vicente Fox. In response to questions, he said that the President would resist efforts to scale back tax increases.
On September 1, 2001, the President gave a radio address in which he urged quick passage of his education bill, which would "uphold clear standards, require regular testing and provide real accountability."
On September 3, 2001, Labor Day, the President spoke to a Teamsters barbecue in Detroit about the economy, opportunity, education, and security, spoke to the Northern Wisconsin Council of Carpenters in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, about the economy, energy, and education, and spoke at the Green Bay airport about the economy, tax cuts, education, defense spending increases, and faith-based initiatives.
On September 4, 2001, the President and then Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott met at the White House and discussed Social Security, tax cut, and immigration. The President also released various statements on personnel matters.
Also on September 4, 2001, Ari Fleischer held the fourth press briefing since the August 6, 2001, PDB warning of Osama bin Laden's determination to strike in the United States. He announced a number of nominations of U.S. Attorneys. He answered questions about biological weapons testing, the President's meetings with Sen. Lott and Rep. Daschle, more tax cuts, a minimum wage bill, a capital gains tax cut, President Fox's visit, the President's opposition to dipping into the Social Security Trust Fund, trade promotion authority, stem cell research, the Durban conference on racism, and the sale of Chinese missile technology to Pakistan.
On September 5, 2001, the President welcomed Mexican President Vicente Fox for a state visit. They discussed a joint Cabinet meeting.
On September 6, 2001, Presidents Bush and Fox spoke at the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio, about trade, immigration, drugs, and common values. At the White House, they discussed the state visit briefly. Speaking in the Rose Garden, the President appointed Sen. John Danforth as "America's envoy for peace in the Sudan."
Also on September 6, 2001, Ari Flesicher held the fifth press briefing since the August 6, 2001, PDB warning of Osama bin Laden's determination to strike in the United States. He announced that the President had told Congressional leaders that "we have plenty of money to meet our budget," and that the President would resist any attempts to raise taxes. In response to questions, he discussed immigration policy and travel plans.
On September 7, 2001, in the White House, the President expressed his concern about the economy and urged Congress to enact an energy plan and trade authority. The President also released a statement announcing three nominations to government positions.
Also on September 7, 2001, Ari Fleischer held the sixth press briefing since the August 6, 2001, PDB warning of Osama bin Laden's determination to strike in the United States. He announced that the President was concerned about the rise in unemployment, but had a plan in place--tax cuts--to deal with it. Fleischer responded to questions on prescription drug discount cards, the White House's refusal to produce records of the energy task force, nursing home inspections, the nomination of Donald Schregardus, taxes, and the President's plans for the coming week.
On September 8, 2001, the President gave a radio address proclaiming National Birmingham Pledge Week.
On September 10, 2001, the President visited an elementary school in Jacksonville, Florida, and touted his education bill.
At 1:47 p.m. on September 11, 2001, on board Air Force One, Ari Fleischer held the seventh press briefing since the August 6, 2001, PDB warning of Osama bin Laden's determination to strike in the United States, and the first since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The briefing was short, and included the following exchange regarding the attacks:
Q. Had there been any warnings the President knew of?
Mr. Fleischer: No warnings.
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