“Not a bad question for a substitute guy”

Senior national correspondent Jake Tapper blogs about attending this morning’s presidential press conference: The President was in a jaunty mood this morning when he called a press conference in the Rose Garden. I filled in for ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Martha Raddatz, and had my first chance to ask a question of the President since his 2000 campaign. He was in a playful mood, later complimenting NBC’s David Gregory on his stylish pocket square. Ultimately I’d say the President seemed to be endorsing (though not instructing) a profit-sharing provision for the Sunnis to enjoy Iraqi oil wealth, and he seemed to dodge the question about amnesty for insurgents — though he did seem to think it was OK for Baathists. I thought about asking about Karl Rove, but ultimately I was convinced he would refuse to answer the question, which he did with two other reporters. The full exchange between the President and I is after the jump. He thought my question was a good one… Which is a double-edged sword.  Bush: Let’s see here. Jake Tapper. Yes, filling in, huh? How are you doing, sir? Bush: I’m doing all right. A little jet-lagged, as I’m sure you can imagine — nearly 60. I can, sir. Thank you. Bush: I’m not sure you possibly can empathize, but nevertheless — Jet lag, I understand jet lag. Bush: Okay, good. What are your feelings about discussions in the new Iraqi government of amnesty for insurgents? And regarding the oil resources in Iraq that you discussed, do you support guaranteeing the Sunnis a percentage of the oil profits, either through a new law, or through a constitutional provision? Bush: Yes, that’s not a bad question for a substitute guy. (Laughter.) I believe that the Iraqi government — first of all, the decision on what to do with their resources is their decision, not mine. And so, this is advisory. These are people that are elected and under a constitution. My advice to them is to use their energy assets as a way to unite the country. And by that, I mean that people will have — they may not have oil resources in their provinces, but they would have a stake in how the resources are developed elsewhere in the country.

One option I laid out the other day for them to consider — I must confess, this isn’t probably the best way to convince a government to do something, is to put it out through the press — but I did suggest a royalty trust on behalf of the Iraqi people. Other countries have tried that; the state of Alaska has tried that. To me, it’s an interesting idea for them to consider, to basically say that no matter where you live in the country, you have a stake in the future of your country because of your ownership in energy assets.

The other part of the question? Possible amnesty for insurgents. Bush: Yes — I talked to the Prime Minister about — his question is, possible amnesty. The Prime Minister I think would say "reconciliation." This is an issue that is on the minds of a lot of the folks there in Iraq. In other words, they’re trying to figure out how to reconcile an ugly past with a hopeful future. And part of that is reconciliation. I’m not exactly sure how you would — what you mean by — if somebody has committed a crime, I don’t know whether or not they’ll be that lenient, frankly.

But I do recognize that — I mean, they recognize that, for example, Baath Party membership in order to secure a job or to be able to get an advanced degree should be a part — shouldn’t be held against a person. And I think they’re willing to balance the difference between terror and — "expediency" isn’t the right word, but terror and membership of a party to advance one’s life. And I was impressed. I was impressed by their — the sophisticated nature of that discussion and their recognition that it’s really important to do the best they can to reconcile the past.

One of the things I was looking for was — first of all, I’m convinced this government will succeed. And one of the reasons I am is because there is a sense of hopefulness. If you’re a person stuck in the past, you tend to be bitter and look for ways to seek revenge. I didn’t sense that. I did have a strong sense that they’re really happy to get rid of Saddam Hussein, to a person. They believe he wrecked their country in more ways than one. It was clear he wrecked their infrastructure. And it is clear that he wrecked a lot of lives. But I didn’t have that great sense of people being so bound up in bitterness that they weren’t willing to think positively about the future. And I think that’s important. I really do.

(To NBC’s David Gregory:) Gregory, fine-looking scarf — not scarf, what do you call that thing? Thank you, very much. Bush: It’s strong.