Exchange With Reporters on the Death of Lee Atwater

The President. Happy Easter, everybody.

Q. Good morning.

The President. Good morning. Happy holidays.

Q. Mr. President, can you share your thoughts about Lee Atwater?

The President. Well, I will make a comment on that because I'm very saddened. Barbara and I are heartsick about it. Our whole family is. Lee was a very close friend to my sons and daughter as well as to Barbara and me. He suffered a lot. But I guess what I'd like to say is that we extend our love and best wishes to his family and, on the professional side, say that I was very proud to have him at my side as I campaigned for the Presidency and, after I became President, to have him as head of the Republican National Committee. He was doing a superb job until he was stricken by this brain tumor.

But I think now it's sadness and respect and giving the man credit for the job he did. He practiced the art of politics with zeal and vigor. And I was very proud of him, proud to serve with him.

Q. What did you make of his Life magazine apology to Michael Dukakis?

The President. Well, I found that very interesting and very enlarging. And I think, as he took stock of his life, he wanted to make things right, heal some wounds; and that was a very noble thing. And I salute him in death as I did in life.

This is about a friend of ours who died today, who was head of our party.

Q. -- -- in Moscow, Mr. President?

The President. You want to turn this into a full-scale press conference? I've got to hear -- I've got to learn something from our guest here.

See how it works out. That's an internal affair.

Q. What does "seven" mean?

The President. What?

Q. Your answer, "seven"?

The President. [Laughter] That's one more than six. [Laughter]

Q. Is this from your CIA days?

The President. That means I don't want to answer. What was the question -- then I'll tell you what the answer means. [Laughter]