Matt Laurer Uses Ed's Quote

Last week Congress approved a $1 billion loan package to help the people of the Gulf Coast. Usually these loans are forgiven, Congress added language that makes sure none of these loans will ever be forgiven and the people of the Gulf Coast will have to pay back all of the money they get.

Ed wrote a quote for Carolyn about how Congress has taken the forgiveness clause out for the people of the Gulf Coast but similar loans for the people of Iraq to rebuild include loan forgiveness.

Matt Lauer used his quote (or the idea of it) when interviewing the president. Bush doesn't exactly address the issue in his response.

Lauer: "Some Democrats complain that there was wording was taken out of that rebuilding package -- a forgiveness clause -- that has traditionally has been included in loan packages in the past. ... Would you ask Congress to go back in that legislation and reinstate that forgiveness clause."

Bush: "I think what Congress said is that the previous loans were limited to a relatively small amount of money. These loans are a much greater amount of loans. And what Congress has said is that you'll have five years to repay, plus an additional five years to repay. And so I think it's the kind of package that Congress was comfortable with giving and I was happy to sign it."

Lauer: "Carolyn Maloney, who is a Democrat from New York ..."

Bush: "You're quoting a lot of Democrats today Matt. That's interesting."

Lauer: "She said that we aren't asking the people of Iraq to pay back the money we're spend there. Why are we asking the people of the Gulf Coast?"

Bush: "The people are Iraq are paying a heavy price for terrorism. A lot of people are dying. ... These people are working hard to establish a democracy and they're paying a serious price. ... One of the things I suggested was keep the politics out of New Orleans and Mississippi as we all work together to rebuild these communities. And we got people here who have volunteered their time from all over the country. They didn't say I'm a Democrat and I'm going to work here or I'm a Republican and I'm going to come and work here. They said I'm an American and I want to contribute. And the reason Laura and I here is because we want to encourage other Americans."