Garrison Keillor: Mr. President, thank you for joining us by phone.
Tim Russell (BUSH): My pleasure. Good to get a chance to visit with you. This week we're trying to reach out to a number of people so we can discuss the exciting things going on in Washington. Such as the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. The whole town is talking about what a brilliant choice she is and you know something? I think they're right.
GK: A lot of conservatives in your own party have said that she is unqualified, Mr. President.
TR (BUSH): Well, I don't know who you've been talking to, but the people I hear from, who have a better view of the big picture, say that, as the first woman president of the Texas State Bar Association, she is eminently well-qualified, but maybe you didn't know that--
GK: They say that she was only appointed because she's a friend of yours.
TR (BUSH): Those people don't know her qualifications because they don't know her the way I do. Once they get to know her as a Supreme Court justice, they'll come to share my view that she's the best qualified person for the job.
GK: How are they going to find out her qualifications?
TR (BUSH): Well, why would I put her on the Court if she weren't fully qualified?
GK: Good question. What's the answer? Why would you?
TR (BUSH): I want to make one thing very clear. I never had sex with that woman.
GK: Okay, that clears that up.
TR (BUSH): You know what your problem is-- you been reading newspapers again --
GK: You still don't read newspapers?
TR (BUSH): We are focused on positive developments. Everywhere you look, you see progress. The economy is moving forward, we're bringing democracy to Iraq, Harriet Miers is going to be a great justice, and Karl Rove and Tom DeLay are working hard to bring about change in our criminal justice system--
GK: I thought they were testifying before grand juries.
TR (BUSH): And they are working to bring about change. And -- I'm not sure you knew this -- but I have lost seven pounds in the past month.
GK: Congratulations, Mr. President.
TR (BUSH): Good talking with you.