Excerpts from the Press Briefing by Scott McClellan, October 31, 2003 (Full Transcript)

QUESTION: On the economy, there's finally recently been some good news for the administration to talk about. Are there plans to have various officials, spokes people, go out, travel around the country to talk about this in the next few days, week ahead?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't know what you mean, "plans." Administration officials are always doing that, talking about -- the highest domestic priority is strengthening our economy. And our economy continues to grow stronger. The President is optimistic about the direction that it is moving.

But he is not satisfied because there are people who are still looking for work who cannot find a job. And the President believes that there is more to do to continue strengthening our economy and creating an environment for strong and robust job creation. There are a number of positive signs, yesterday's GDP numbers being some of the most recent, housing starts up, interest rates low, after-tax income is up, high productivity, new business orders are up. The tax relief that the President advocated in the past is working. But there is more to do. And that's why he'll continue moving forward on his six-point plan.

QUESTION: I guess what I had in mind is Elaine Chao and others, like, taking bus trips to talk about the economy. Are there plans to really, kind of, get this message out?

MR. McCLELLAN: I don't have any special new initiative on that front to announce. But those members of the economic team will continue talking about this highest of priorities and continue pressing the President's priorities, to act on his six-point plan.