While President Bush’s Social Security remarks are stealing the newspaper headlines this morning, the general assumption is that more Americans are concerned about rising gas prices.

Those who watched the press conference know the president split his opening remarks between these two subjects. He also addressed issues including John Bolton, Iraq and the judicial filibuster.

On Bolton, the president said, “John Bolton is a blunt guy. Sometimes people say I'm a little too blunt. John Bolton can get the job done at the United Nations. It seemed like to me it makes sense to put somebody who's capable, smart, served our country for 20 years, been confirmed by the United States Senate four times, and who isn't afraid to speak his mind in the post of the ambassador to the U.N.”

“See, the U.N. needs reform. If you're interested in reforming the U.N., like I'm interested in reforming the U.N., it makes sense to put somebody who's skilled and who is not afraid to speak his mind at the United Nations.”