WORDY
Q Scott, are you confident that the lessons learned from Katrina will be applied in the case of this hurricane?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, in terms of Katrina, that was a storm that was unprecedented in size and scope and devastation. We want to make sure that we know exactly what worked and what didn't work.
Q Well, Scott, how is what you're doing for Rita different from what you did from Katrina?
MR. McCLELLAN: Sure. The President is focused on making sure we have the strongest possible coordination with state and local governments in the path of Hurricane Rita. Coordination at all levels needs to be seamless, or as seamless as possible, and that's what we're working to do.
Q So you think that that's going to be an improvement over what was done in Katrina?
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, again, in terms of Katrina, we're still focused on the immediate needs of the people in the region. We are determined to learn the lessons of Katrina, and that's why we have been assessing what's been working and what hasn't been working and taking steps to address those issues.
Q Well, can you distinguish what you're doing differently?
MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I just talked to you about where the President's focus is and what we are doing. We want to make sure that we have the strongest possible coordination with state and local officials --
Q Which you didn't have before, right?
MR. McCLELLAN: -- as seamless as possible coordination with state and local officials.
Q In other words, better than the last time?
MR. McCLELLAN: I think I just answered that question, Bill.
Q No, not really.
MR. McCLELLAN: I just said -- I just said the very words that you're bringing up.
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DIRTY MR. MCCLELLAN: We will be putting out more here shortly.
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ABSURDY
Q Has the President put estate tax changes and extending the tax cuts, making them permanent, has he put those on the back burner with the Treasury Secretary?
(Interruption to briefing.)
MR. McCLELLAN: Please, a reminder, everybody turn their beepers off before coming to the briefing room.
ABSURDY #2
Q Scott, Representative LoBiondo from New Jersey, Republican, is circulating a letter calling on the President to rescind the tax cut. In light of the need that people have to be working and to be earning decent money on the gulf coast, is the President reconsidering this wage cut?
MR. McCLELLAN: Which tax cut?
Q The wage cut.
MR. McCLELLAN: In terms of tax cuts --
Q No, I'm sorry. I meant the wage cuts, didn't mean to say tax cuts --
MR. McCLELLAN: What do you mean, wage cuts?
Q The Davis-Bacon.
MR. McCLELLAN: The Davis-Bacon. Well, what --
Q Which is a wage cut.