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Narrator: Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's
happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
This week, the President addressed both the Conservation
and AIPAC Conferences; sat down with Prime Minister Netanyahu of
Israel; the Prime Minister of Libya;
and President Mills of Ghana; hosted a White House news
conference; and traveled to the Daimler Mount Holly Truck plant
in North Carolina.
That's March 2nd to March 8th or "Speak Softly;
Carry a Big Stick."
The President: Now is the time to heed the timeless advice from Teddy
Roosevelt: "Speak softly; carry a big stick."
Narrator: On Friday, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar's birthday,
the President addressed the Conference of Conservationists
at the Department of Interior.
The President: The bottom line is this: There will always be people in this
country who say we've got to choose between clean air and
clean water and a growing economy.
Between doing right by our environment and putting people
back to work.
And I'm here to tell you that is a false choice.
Narrator: On Sunday, the President delivered remarks to the AIPAC
Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
The President: Already there is too much loose talk of war.
Over the last few weeks such talk has only benefited the
Iranian government by driving up the price of oil,
which they depend on to fund their nuclear program.
There is no shortage of speeches on the friendship between the
United States and Israel.
But I'm also mindful of the proverb:
A man is judged by his deeds; not his words.
So if you want to know where my heart lies,
look no further than what I have done to stand up for Israel,
to secure both of our countries and to see that the rough waters
of our time lead to a peaceful and prosperous shore.
Narrator: On Monday, the President met in the Oval Office with Prime
Minister Netanyahu for the ninth time during his Administration.
The meeting was an opportunity for the President to reaffirm
the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel,
and to discuss a range of strategic issues of
mutual concern.
The President: My policy here is not going to be one of containment.
My policy is prevention of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
And as I indicated yesterday in my speech when I say all options
are at the table, I mean it.
Narrator: On Super Tuesday, the President reconvened his Technology
CEO Council, then hosted a news conference at the White House,
where he announced two steps his Administration is taking to
support responsible homeowners and their families.
The President: We are cutting by more than half the refinancing fees that
families pay for loans insured by the Federal
Housing Administration.
We're also taking a series of steps to help homeowners who
have served our country.
It is unconscionable that members of our armed forces and
their families have been some of those who have been most
susceptible to losing their homes due to the actions of
unscrupulous banks and mortgage lenders.
Narrator: On Wednesday, the President met with the Prime Minister of Libya
and his delegation in the Roosevelt Room.
Then he traveled south to North Carolina where he toured the
Daimler Mount Holly Truck Manufacturing Plant and spoke to
workers there about the economy.
The President: You know, the freighter line trucks that you're making here
at this plant run on natural gas and that makes them quieter,
it makes them better for the environment,
it makes them cheaper to fill up --
Audience Members: That's right!
The President: -- than they would be with diesel.
And we should put every member of Congress on record,
they can stand up for the oil companies or they can stand up
for the American people and this new energy future.
Narrator: On Thursday, the President welcomed the Commander-in-Chief
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in the Oval Office.
Then held a bilateral meeting with President Mills of Ghana,
welcoming the opportunity to reciprocate the warm hospitality
that both he and the First Lady received during their visit to
Ghana three years ago.
To find out more information on any of these topics or to see
complete videos of these events, go to WhiteHouse.gov.
And thanks again for checking out your West Wing Week.
The President: How long have you been here?
Plant Worker: Twenty-five years.
The President: Twenty-five years!
What -- man, how old are you, man?
(laughter)
Plant Worker: Forty-seven.
The President: Are you, really?
Plant Worker: Forty-seven.
The President: Man.
I got to eat what he's eatin'!
(laughter)
Huh?
Plant Worker: That's right!
The President: Look at this young man.
I'm telling 'ya.
Plant Worker: I been exercising and drinking water.
The President: Exercise and drinking water?
Plant Worker: Yes, sir, exercise and drinking water.
The President: Is that what it is?
Plant Worker: Yes, sir.
The President: Okay, I'll use that, too!