Ask the White House (Text Only)

Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Bush administration officials.

Since its launch in April, citizens have interacted with Cabinet Secretaries, Senior White House Officials and behind-the-scenes professionals at the White House.

Transcripts of every live chat session are available on this page. And we look forward to hosting more Ask the White House online discussions soon. If you would like to suggest a participant to appear on Ask the White House, click here.

This Week on Ask the White House

December 1, 2003
2 pm (ET)

Deputy Global AIDS Coordinator Dr. Joe O'Neill

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November 2003

November 26, 2003

November 25, 2003

November 20, 2003

Jim Towey, Director, Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives

Full transcript

White House Chef Walter Scheib
Good morning. This is beginning fo the popular culinary season of the year. Many people have fond memories of their family dinners and favorite dishes . . .
Full transcript

Hugh Tant III, Gen. Ret. -- Director Iraqi Currency Exchange
It is terrific to be with you. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address your questions this evening.
Full Transcript.

November 21, 2003

November 18, 2003

JD Estes -- The Turkey Guy
The Turkey Guy answered your questions about the pardoning of Thanksgiving turkeys.
Full Transcript.

Ann Veneman -- Secretary of Agriculture
Hello and it's good to be here today. I got back from Iraq, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan a week ago today.
Full Transcript.

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan
Good Morning. It is my pleasure to join you on Ask the White House today. Ask the White House is a great way for the administration to talk about the President's agenda and listen to the concerns of the American people.
Full transcript

November 14, 2003

November 13, 2003

Leslye A. Arsht, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Education in Iraq Good afternoon, it is nice to be with you from Baghdad where it is 10:00pm. It might surprise you that it is suddenly fa ll here.
Full Transcript

Judge Daniel L Rubini, Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Justice Good afternoon. I'm Judge Rubini and I'm sitting in Iraq at about 9:15 in the evening as you are about 8 hours earlier o n the East Coast . . .
Full Transcript

Dabney Friedrich, Associate White House Counsel Thank you all for joining me today. The 30 hour debate on the judicial confirmation process has been going on for around 22 hours now. Let's get to the questions!
Full Transcript

November 10, 2003

November 7, 2003

November 6, 2003

Anthony Principi, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Good day to everyone. It is a pleasure to be here to have this opportunity to answer your questions regarding veterans b enefits and services.
Full transcript

Elaine Chao, Secretary of Labor Hello, I'm Secretary Chao. Good news today. As I said earlier, "Today's news of continued job growth and a drop in the unemployment rate is good news . . .
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Thomas J. Basile, Senior Press Advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq My name is Tom Basile and I am a Senior Press Advisor for Ambassador Paul Bremer...
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November 5, 2003

Lewis W. Lucke, USAID Iraq Mission Director I appreciate participating today. It is nighttime in Baghdad and probably about 70 degrees.
Full Transcript

October 2003

October 31, 2003

October 30, 2003

Greg Mankiw, President's Economic Adviser Hello, it's nice to be back here on the White House web chat. I'd like to begin by wishing you all a happy Halloween.
Full Transcript.

Gary Walters, Chief Usher Hi, good to be back. Glad to have the opportunity to take some questions today.
Full Transcript.

Alberto Gonzales, White House Counsel I am glad to be back. I look forward to your questions. Fire away!
Full transcript.

October 29, 2003

October 28, 2003

Tommy Thompson, Secretary of HHS
Hello again, we just came from an event with the President and a group of seniors to discuss how...
Full Transcript

Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture will discuss the California fires. Hello, I'm Secretary Ann Veneman. We are very saddened at the losses that are occuring...
Full Transcript

Mike Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security Good Morning. We are in California where the fires and the destruction are even worse that what you see on television... Full Transcript

October 27, 2003

October 24, 2003

October 23, 2003

Steve Friedman, Director of the National Economic Council
Good Afternoon -- I apologize for being a little bit late.
Full Transcript

White House Internet News Director Jimmy Orr Hi. It is great to be here. I've been part of every chat. . .
Full Transcript.

Jim Towey, Director, Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives Hello. It was a privilege to represent the President and our country at this great time of celebration.
Full Transcript.

October 22, 2003

October 17, 2003

October 14, 2003

Commerce Secretary Don Evans I expected to see a dismal and frightened area of the world. Instead, I saw anything but that.
Full Transcript.

Rob Nichols
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Public Affairs Hello out there. Its great to be here on Ask the White House. I'm looking forward to your questions.
Learn more about the new currency

Noelia Rodriguez
Press Secretary to the First Lady Hello, it's great to be with you for "Ask The White House"! Looking forward to taking your questions...
Full Transcript

October 10, 2003

October 9, 2003

October 8, 2003

Dr. Greg Mankiw
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Hello, it's nice to be here for my second web chat. I'm happy to field some of your questions ...
Full Transcript

Dan Senor
Advisor to the U.S. Presidential Envoy in Iraq Hi, I'm Dan Senor. I'm in Washington for a few days after having spent the last 6 months in Iraq.
Full Transcript

Dr. Jendayi Frazer
Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council Hello again, it is good to be back on Ask the White House. As you know the President hosted ...
Full Transcript

October 3, 2003

October 2, 2003

October 1, 2003

Gary Walters
White House Chief Usher
The Chief Usher is responsible for activities that occur in the Executive Residence and on the grounds, so our involvement begins...
Full Transcript

Mel Martinez, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Hi, it is good to be back online and talk to you about my work for President Bush. Let's start going!
Full Transcript

Asa Hutchinson
Under Secretary for Border & Transportation Security Hi this is Asa, delighted to be with you and looking forward to your questions.
Full Transcript

September 2003

September 29, 2003

September 26, 2003

September 25, 2003

FTC Chairman Tim Muris
Discussing the National "Do Not Call" Registry.
Full Transcript

White House Curator Bill Allman
Hello, again. I'm Bill Allman, Curator of the White House. It was fun to field your questions a few months ago.
Full Transcript

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson
Hello. Good to be here. Looking forward to answering your questions. Lots of things going on in health care these days . . .
Full Transcript

September 24, 2003

September 17, 2003

September 16, 2003

Clare Pritchett, Director of the White House Visitors Office
Hi, I'm Clare Pritchett. Thank you for sending all the great questions and the opportunity to talk to you this afternoon about White House tours and the Visitors Office.
Full Transcript

Dr. Louis Uccellini, Director of the National Weather Service's Center for Environmental Prediction
Hello. It's great to be here to answer questions. . .
Full Transcript

Mike Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security
Hello and good morning. It is great to be here and I hope everyone . . .
Full Transcript

September 12, 2003

September 11, 2003

September 9, 2003

Jim Towey, Director, Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives
Hi. My name is Jim Towey. The Preesident appointed me 19 months ago . . .
Full Transcript

White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card
Hello. It is good to be on line with you today. I was last "on" with you on day one of the "ask the White House."
Full Transcript

White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales
Howdy, happy to be here to answer your questions.
Full Transcript

September 9, 2003

Education Secretary Rod Paige
I am thankful for this opportunity. I always enjoy engaging in discussions with citizens about our education system.
Full Transcript

August 2003

August 1, 2003

John E. Jones, Jr., Deputy Director of the National Weather Service
It's great to be here answering your questions on "Ask the White House."
Full Transcript

July 2003

July 30, 2003

July 29, 2003

July 22, 2003

NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher
It's a real thrill to be able to talk with all of you today on "Ask the White House,"...
Full Transcript

John F. Turner
Good morning. I am John Turner, privileged to work at the U.S. State Department on issues dealing with international health, environmental...
Full Transcript

Clay Johnson
Deputy Director for Management at OMB
Good morning. All our agencies are in the process of becoming more results oriented.
Full Transcript

July 18, 2003

July 16, 2003

July 14, 2003

Lynn Swann
Hello I'm Lynn Swann I'm happy to be with you this morning...
Full Transcript

Dr. Gregory Mankiw, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers
Hello. I'm happy to be here. I just left a meeting with the President and...
Full Transcript

White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer
Hi. This is Ari Fleischer and I'm glad to be tonight's guest on the new hit show, "Ask the White House."
Full Transcript

July 10, 2003

July 8, 2003

July 3, 2003

Tucker Eskew
Hi, my name is Tucker Eskew and I'm here to take some questions about Global Communications and the...
Full Transcript

Jeff Holmstead
Good morning, I'm Jeff Holmstead, Associate Administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation.
Full Transcript

National Park Service Director Fran Mainella
Good morning, I'm Fran Mainella, Director of the National Park Service.
Full Transcript

July 2, 2003

July 1, 2003

Dr. Jendayi Frazer, Senior Director for African Affairs
Hello, it is wonderful to be here with you today.
Full Transcript

Mrs. Bush
Hello, I'm Laura Bush and I want to thank everyone for writing in with their questions and their comments.
Full Transcript

June 2003

June 27, 2003

	FTC Chairman Tim Muris Good Morning as the President said this morning, he is very concerned with privacy and families... Full Transcript

June 26, 2003

	Commerce Secretary Don Evans Hello I'm Secretary Evans, I sure look forward to answering your questions... Full Transcript

June 25, 2003

	White House Photo Director Eric Draper Hello everyone. It's my pleasure to return to Ask the White for a second... Full Transcript

June 24, 2003

	White House Communications Director Dan Bartlett My name is Dan Bartlett, Assistant to the President and White House . . . Full Transcript

June 20, 2003

	Cal Ripken, Jr. Another season of Tee-Ball at the White House gets underway this week. Full Transcript

June 18, 2003

	Mrs. Cheney Mrs. Cheney, author, scholar and wife of the Vice President, has spent much of her professional life... Full Transcript

June 17, 2003

	White House Horticulturist Dale Haney Good Afternoon, I'm Dale Haney, the White House Horticulturist... Full Transcript

June 11, 2003

	HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson Good Afternoon. Nice to be with you today. . . Full Transcript In Focus: Medicare

June 10, 2003

	Education Secretary Rod Paige Today marks a milestone in the history of education reform. President... Full Transcript

June 6, 2003

	Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge Hello - thanks for taking the time to join me today on "Ask the White House". I am... Full Transcript

June 5, 2003

	White House Curator, Bill Allman Hello! I'm Bill Allman, Curator of the White House. It is a great pleasure for me to... Full Transcript

June 2, 2003

	HUD Secretary Mel Martinez Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in people's lives... Full Transcript

May 2003

May 28, 2003

	Treasury Secretary John Snow Good afternoon, thanks for joining me on "Ask the White House." I am looking forward to... Full Transcript

May 27, 2003

	Dr. Joseph O'Neill, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy I'm happy to be here today to... Full Transcript

May 22, 2003

	White House Chef Walter Scheib Thank you all for your questions, and I hope that you find the answers informative... Full Transcript Backgrounder

May 20, 2003

	Interior Secretary Gale Norton Good evening, I'm Gale Norton, Secretary of the Department of the Interior. This... Full Transcript Backgrounder

May 15, 2003

	White House Photo Director Eric Draper Good evening everyone. This is Eric Draper, Director of the White House... Full Transcript

May 8, 2003

	Counsel to the President Judge Alberto Gonzales Tomorrow is the two year anniversary of the president's first 11 Appeals... Full Transcript Backgrounder

May 7, 2003

	Steve Friedman, Director of the National Economic Council and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy As you know, the... Full Transcript

April 2003

April 22, 2003

	EPA Administrator Hosts Earth Day Online Discussion On this Earth Day 2003, I welcome you to the third of our "Ask the... Full Transcript

April 17, 2003

	E-Gov Chief Discusses Electronic Government Good Afternoon, I'm Mark Forman, the newly appointed Administrator of... Full Transcript

April 16, 2003

	Secretary Card Hosts Inaugural Online Discussion Good evening, I'm Andy Card - Chief of Staff to President George... Full Transcript

Issues In Focus