the guideline here. And let promptness-- we need a good-- a new Director to follow on an
excellent Director, and we need it soon, to run this intelligence community.
So, that's my position. And I'm glad, Jim, that you raised it again because I really feel
strongly about this. I just don't think it's the American way to bring a good man down by
rumor and insinuation. That's not the system.
After several more questions and answers on Gates, there was a question on a move afoot
in the House to launch the first formal investigation of the October surprise affair,
including Bush's role. Was it a fishing expedition?
Bush: Well, I wouldn't accuse the Speaker of that. The man --he's another one that's-- too
much integrity to be in that mode. I think he's in a difficult position. But let's see the
evidence, bring it forth. If they're still charging that I was in Paris on october 20th, if it's
that kind of case, fine. But the evidence is --what happened-- you know, here's a good
case. All this rumor, can't quite pin it down, but as Vice President, the President -- now
President - - was supposed to have been in Paris in the month of October, specifically on
October 20th. Who's accusing me? Well, nobody's really accusing you of it, but every
paper's got it.
We come forth with evidence which includes almost minute-by- minute certification as to
where I was, and then they say, well, maybe that's laid to rest, but somebody else is
supposed to have been someplace else. Maybe the way to lay it to rest is through what
Foley's talking about. And if he decides that, look, he'll have full cooperation from me.
How long can you keep denying your knowledge or involvement on something that didn't
happen, as far as I know? But maybe he's got some other evidence. But it just seems a
little wierd that it keeps going. You shoot down one thing, and somebody else raises
another.
Q: Are you certain that Casey had no dealings that could be interpreted --
Bush: I have no knowledge of what Casey can do, or did do. The man's dead. Let's have
some more interviews with a dead man. You know what I mean? Get it? (Laughter).
Q: I think so. (Laughter)
Q: Mr. President, to clear --
Bush: Hey, I've got to go fishing, it's much more important than doing this. Yes, Helen?
No.
Q: Mr. President, to clear the air and get everything out in the open, could you order the
release of the CIA telephone conversations?
Bush: I'm leaving all this in the hands of the legal authorities and I am not going to
intervene in a court proceeding. I am not a lawyer. I don't want to have some 22-year old