Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 / Feb. 27 The President. I just had the—I just moved conservatism from the margins of hung up with Christopher Buckley, the son American society into the Oval Office. of William F. Buckley. I expressed Laura The President. No question, he was a— and my sadness over the passage of this one of the great political thinkers. He influ- very important figure in American political enced a lot of people, including me. And thought. He was a great author, a great he was—I can remember those debates wit, and a leader. And Chris said that his they had on TV. And he was so articulate, dad died at his desk. And I asked whether and he captured the imagination of a lot it had been a—I know it’s a painful experi- of folks because he was—he had a great ence for Chris’s heart, but he said that way of defining the issues. It was erudite, his dad died a peaceful death. And we got and yet a lot of folks from different walks to thank God for that and thank God for of life could understand it. And he’s his life. made—he’s a big figure in our history, and he’ll be missed. And we ask for God’s Q. Did you talk to him much during blessings on his soul. Thank you. this—[inaudible]—sir? Q. You once said Buckley moved con- NOTE: The President spoke at 2:01 p.m. in servatism into the Oval Office, that he the Oval Office at the White House. Remarks Honoring the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox February 27, 2008 The President. Welcome. Thanks for setts and Connecticut and probably Rhode coming. Please be seated. So Tim Island and—[applause]—yes. [Laughter] Wakefield’s batterymate is Doug Mirabelli; Thanks for coming. mine is the Vice President. [Laughter] I’m real proud for the Red Sox baseball We’re glad you all are here. The mighty club, its players, the players’ families, all Red Sox Nation has stormed the South those associated with this unbelievably suc- Lawn. cessful franchise. You know, you’ve—Red It’s my honor to welcome the owners Sox Nation extends beyond the South of the Red Sox. The principal owner is Lawn, extends beyond New England. It ob- John Henry. Tom Werner is the chair- viously goes to the Caribbean and even the man—and my longtime buddy Larry Far East. And so we welcome Japan’s Lucchino. Thank you all for coming, and Daisuke here to the South Lawn. His press congratulations. We appreciate the other corps is bigger than mine. [Laughter] And owners who are here as well. I’m proud we both have trouble answering questions to be here with Terry Francona; the captain in English. [Laughter] of the mighty Red Sox, Jason Varitek; the Two thousand seven was an unforget- MVP of the World Series, Mike Lowell. table season: fast start; hung on in the end; They’re mentioned because I’m trying to swept the Angels; had a little trouble with entice a gift out of them. [Laughter] the Indians, but battled back from what We appreciate very much members of a lot of folks were saying sure defeat; and the administration who are here. Don’t lin- you took on Colorado and swept them. ger. [Laughter] Welcome to the Members Like, you’re 8–0 in the World Series. And HEARING of the United States Congress—Massachu- I appreciate the fact that, as I mentioned, with 283 DSK5TPTVN1PROD on VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:23 Apr 17, 2012 Jkt 217557 PO 00000 Frm 00283 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217557A.008 217557A wreier-aviles Feb. 27 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 Mike Lowell put on an outstanding per- Mirabelli, Ortiz, Ramirez, Schilling, formance. But it was a team effort that Youkilis, Timlin, and Wakefield were all brought the Red Sox here. members of the 2004 championship team, I love the fact that you’ve got some of and they provided the nucleus to bring the game’s biggest stars. I mean, Big Papi, some new players and some young players the guy lights up the screen. He brings along. I bet you Dustin Pedroia, the Amer- a great personality to it. I’m sorry his run- ican League Rookie of the Year, would tell ning mate, Manny Ramirez, isn’t here. I you it makes a big difference. It makes guess his grandmother died again. [Laugh- a big difference to be hanging out with ter] Just kidding. [Laughter] Tell Manny people who know how to win. I didn’t mean it. But I do want to quote And so the ownership gets a lot of credit, him. He said, ‘‘When you don’t feel good the front office gets credit, and so does and you still get hits, that’s when you know a really fine manager in Terry Francona. you’re a bad man.’’ [Laughter] I don’t know Laura and I had the honor of having Mike what that means. [Laughter] But if bad Lowell and Mrs. Francona and Terry for man means good hitter, he’s a really bad dinner earlier this month—earlier this year. man, because he was clutch in the World And what I was impressed about was the Series and clutch in the playoffs, as was values of this guy and the fact that he hon- my fellow Texan, Josh Beckett. Where’s ors his family as the first and foremost Beckett? There you go. Man, you’re looking thing in his life. And I think the ownership sharp. made a good deal in signing him to a new Josh Beckett. A lot better than last time? contract. The President. Spring, Texas? Mr. Beckett. Yes. I appreciate the fact the team has over- The President. Spring, Texas. He’s a big- come adversity. All of America, whether game pitcher. He struck out—nine strike- you’re a Red Sox fan or not, was moved outs a game in the playoffs. I appreciate by the Jon Lester story. Jon had a decisive the—very much that he works hard and victory over cancer and in the World Se- throws hard and is a proven winner. And ries. And it was an inspiration to a lot of I guess he took some lessons from Curt folks who were looking at this good man Schilling, one of the great big-time pitchers. to determine whether they themselves You can’t win the World Series without could overcome adversity. And so, Jon, we a good bullpen. I’ve got to make mention want to thank you and congratulate you. of a guy who is from the—my hometown I don’t know if you know this or not, of Midland, Texas—that would be Mike but these good folks are headed to Walter Timlin. Mike, good to see you again. You Reed after this celebration, and I—[ap- did not buy those glasses in Midland, plause]. These champs have got a chance Texas. [Laughter] to bring some joy in somebody’s heart, and Mike Timlin. No. [Laughter] I want to thank you for really honoring The President. Yes. And how about Jona- the true heroes of the United States of than Papelbon? The guy pitches almost as America, and those are those who wear the well as he dances. [Laughter] And I appre- uniform of our country. And I’m really ciate the dress code. Thanks for wearing thankful you’re going. pants. [Laughter] Good job and congratula- I appreciate the work of the Red Sox tions. Foundation and the Jimmy Fund. These I do want to congratulate the ownership are long-lasting charities that this club is and the front office. This is a club that committed to, to help improve people’s was wise enough to maintain a core of play- lives. You can be a champion on the field, HEARING ers that knew how to win. Varitek, and you can be a champion off the field. with 284 DSK5TPTVN1PROD on VerDate Mar 15 2010 13:23 Apr 17, 2012 Jkt 217557 PO 00000 Frm 00284 Fmt 1240 Sfmt 1240 E:\HR\OC\217557A.008 217557A wreier-aviles Administration of George W. Bush, 2008 / Feb. 28 And a lot of these players are champions remarks, he referred to Tim Wakefield, off the field. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett, Curt And I thank you for your commitment. Schilling, Mike Timlin, Jonathan Papelbon, I thank you for your dedication to a great and Jon Lester, pitchers, Doug Mirabelli and sport. I congratulate and thank your fami- Jason Varitek, catchers, Larry Lucchino, lies for hanging in with you in this long, president and chief executive officer, Terry 162-game season. I wish you all the best Francona, manager, Mike Lowell, Kevin in the upcoming year, and it’s my great Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia, infielders, honor to welcome you back to the White David A. ‘‘Big Papi’’ Ortiz, designated hitter, House as the World Series champs. and Manny Ramirez, outfielder, Boston Red Sox; and Jacque Francona, wife of Terry NOTE: The President spoke at 3:08 p.m. on Francona. the South Lawn at the White House. In his Statement on the Death of William F. Buckley, Jr. February 27, 2008 America has lost one of its finest writers his principled thought and beautiful writ- and thinkers. Bill Buckley was one of the ing, as well as his personal warmth, wit, great founders of the modern conservative and generous spirit.