George H.W. Bush: “Well, I didn't read it as criticism, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International], because I talked with the man.…”

“Well, I didn't read it as criticism, Helen [Helen Thomas, United Press International], because I talked with the man. And I learned to go to the source; I did it before I even saw the story in the paper. But I also had seen his paper itself, and I didn't take it as personally critical. And I think he would reiterate that it wasn't. So, I think it's just useless to react to all these press stories that try to interpret these remarks of a very constructive paper by Richard Nixon. You know, he's got very good ideas on this subject, and we're in very close touch on it. Note: The President spoke at 9:35 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White House. In his remarks he referred to Representative Newt Gingrich. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.”