WASHINGTON - President Bush will address the nation in prime-time tonight at the urging of Congressional Republican leaders, who publicly called on him to to address "the two topics of grave importance" to the American people: the decision by Iran to suspend U.N. inspections of nuclear facilities, and the primary needs of the Pittsburgh Steelers as they begin preparations for the 2006 NFL draft.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters the President has consented to speak because he "is aware of the concerns in Congress and he, too, wants to deal head-on with the issue most pressing to the American people and to provide them with all of the information he has regarding this critical topic." McClellan also said the President would talk about the Iranian situation, "if time allowed."
McClellan was vague about how the President would be able to provide informed comment on the Steelers and their preparations for the upcoming draft, but he did say that "the President believes the Congress has given him the authority to use the National Security Agency to listen in on phone conversations between members of the Steeler coaching staff and various college scouts." McClellan added that the President believes "it is vital to the psychic security of our nation that any threat to the stability and safety of the roster of the Super Bowl Champions be detected early, and, when possible, prevented." McClellan also said the President expected opposition from some members of Congress for requesting additional Federal funding to assist the Steelers in signing key free agents this off-season, but that he was "fully prepared to ignore" their opinions.
