Press Briefing

No, it is. I mean it's a pretty serious thing that one in every three
people that get this have died. And I wondered if the President is
aware of it?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't have it. Do you? (Laughter.)
Q You don't have it. Well, I'm relievedto hear that,
Larry. (Laughter.) I'm delighted.
MR. SPEAKES: Do you?
Q No, I don't.
MR. SPEAKES: You didn't answer my question.
Q Well, I just wondered does the President --
MR. SPEAKES: How do you know? (Laughter.)
Q In other words, the White House looks on this as a
great joke?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I don't know anything about it, Lester.
What --
Q Does the President, does anybody in the White House
know about this epidemic, Larry?
MR. SPEAKES: I don't think so. I don't think there's
been any --
Q Nobody knows?
MR. SPEAKES: There has been no personal experience here,
Lester.
Q No, I mean, I thought you were keeping --
MR. SPEAKES: I checked thoroughly with Dr. Ruge this
morning and he's had no -- (laughter) -- no patients suffering from
AIDS or whatever it is.
Q The President doesn't have gay plague, is that what
you're saying or what?
MR. SPEAKES: No, I didn't say that.
Q Didn't say that?
MR. SPEAKES: I thought I heard you on the State Department
over there. Why didn't you stay over there? (Laughter.)
Q Because I love you, Larry, that's why. (Laughter.)
MR. SPEAKES: Oh, I see. Just don't put it in those

terms, Lester. (Laughter.)
Q Oh, I retract that.
MR. SPEAKES: I hope so.
Q It's too late.