Spokesman: Bush encouraged by Greenspan tax comments

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President George W. Bush is encouraged by statements made Thursday by Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said.

Greenspan did not specifically endorse Bush's proposed tax cut, but he suggested he would endorse some tax cuts.

"He said that in his judgment, the economy can benefit from a tax cut," Fleischer said at his daily briefing with reporters. "We're very heartened to see that Chairman Greenspan has weighed in on the importance of cutting taxes to protect the economy, and we hope that the Congress will join President Bush and Chairman Greenspan in cutting taxes, in passing the Bush tax cut, so we can protect the strength of our economy."

During testimony before the Senate Budget Committee. Greenspan also pointed out that the economy had slowed "very close to zero." Fleischer said that shows that Bush's assessment of the slowing economy was on target.

"With every passing day, it looks like President Bush's admonitions about the strength of the economy are increasingly true," Fleischer said. Also Thursday, when asked about allegations that members of the Clinton administration had destroyed property before leaving the White House, Fleischer said everything that was done was being catalogued but that Bush had no reaction. He said Bush preferred to look forward and concentrate on his agenda.

"This is our fourth day in office and I think it's fair to say that this administration is off to a very strong and fast start, particularly given the fact that we had a shortened transition due to the Florida recount," Fleischer said.

MORE STORIES:

Thursday, January 25, 2001

• Powell to review technology, promote diversity at State Department
• Power-starved California looking for help
• Bush presses education agenda with smiles and handshakes
• White House 'cataloguing' pranks by departing Clinton staffers
• Burton demands documents on Clinton pardon of financier
• Greenspan eyes tax cuts
• Clintons still under the microscope
• Spokesman: Bush encouraged by Greenspan tax comments
• Linda Tripp suing Pentagon over leaks designed to 'sabotage' career
• Former Teamster president Ron Carey indicted

ARCHIVES