Informal Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Prime Minister Ciriaco De Mita of
Resignation of Howard H. Baker, Jr.
Q.
Mr. President, do you think that your administration is going to be considered lameduck in view of the departure of Howard Baker?
The President. Well, I don't think it
should be. We're going to miss him, of course. He has served very well. But he
had his reasons for what he's had to do.
Q.
Mr. President, Senator Baker said he'd be the one to turn out the lights here
at the White House. Does that mean the lights are out on your administration?
The President. No,
that means, I think, a little change has occurred.
Trade
Deficit
Q.
Did you see the trade figures this morning, Mr. President? It's one of the best
trade reports in some time -- something like under $10 billion for the monthly
reported. Do you have a comment on that?
The President. Yes. It would be a
happy comment because it shows that we have continued to bring down the trade
deficit. It has been on a pretty continual decline, and it's been brought about
this time by not only an increase in exports but a decrease in imports.
Plant
Closings
Q.
Could you clarify your position, Mr. President, on the business of plant
closing? Would you support a move in Congress toward a voluntary provision of
plant closing that would not be mandatory?
The President. We already have that,
and we have a number of plants that have relations with their unions, that in
their union labor contract have provisions for that. It is just that I believe
that excessive controls and regulations by government -- well, we've seen a
comparison with some of our trading partners that have too much of that, and
they've not been able to match our economic expansion.
Aid
to the Contras
Q.
Will you seek more military aid for the contras, Mr. President, or is that a
lost cause?
The President. Well, this is something
that's under discussion right now.
Resignation of Howard H. Baker, Jr.
Q.
Are you going to miss Howard Baker?
The President. What?
Q.
Are you going to miss Howard Baker?
The President. I said that, Helen
[Helen Thomas, United Press International]. Yes, I will miss him.
Q.
What kind of job has he done, Mr. President?
The President. He's done a fine job,
both as leader of the Senate and now, as he came over here, in this position.
Q.
Are you going to miss his picture-taking?
The President. What?
Q.
Will you miss his picture-taking?
The President. [Laughter] He's quite a
photographer.
Note: The exchange began
at