For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 15, 2001

Remarks by the President and the First Lady in Photo Opportunity
The South Lawn

2:22 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Hey, look who's here.

MRS. BUSH: Hi, everybody.

THE PRESIDENT: Barney's back. (Laughter.)

MRS. BUSH: Barney had a really good trip.

THE PRESIDENT: Hey, Spot, look who's here.

Q Mrs. Bush, where are you coming from?

MRS. BUSH: I'm coming from Texas. I've been at the ranch.

Q What do you expect out of your meeting with the Irish leaders?

THE PRESIDENT: Pardon me?

Q What do you expect out of your meeting with the Irish PM -- Prime Minister?

THE PRESIDENT: I had a good meeting -- and I'll have one tomorrow, as well. Looking forward to it. We'll be discussing the Good Friday Agreement, what I can do to help. Be reaffirming our trade with Ireland. We had a good visit with him at lunch. I'm looking forward to seeing him tomorrow.

Q Mr. President, are you prepared to send your suggestions on campaign finance legislation to the Hill, and --

THE PRESIDENT: Pretty soon.

Q -- what would you like to see in it?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, wait until I send them up there, but we'll be sending some principles up here pretty soon.

Q Not today?

THE PRESIDENT: Maybe today.

Q Mr. President, to follow up, I mean, do you still support limited soft money contributions?

THE PRESIDENT: I think we ought to get rid of labor union and corporate soft money. And I know we need to make sure we have -- to make sure that shareholders and labor union members have got a say-so on how their money is spent.

MR. JOHNDROE: Thank you all very much.

THE PRESIDENT: Just getting warmed up. (Laughter.)

Q Thank you, Barney.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.

END 2:25 P.M. EST