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NEW YORK When President George W. Bush met the press today in Washington, D.C., it was it was only the 17th such meeting of his presidency.

This compares to 43 for Bill Clinton, 84 for George H.W. Bush, and 26 for Ronald Reagan at similar points in their presidencies, The Washington Post reported.

Several reporters new to the White House beat attended. "I'd like to welcome all the new faces," Bush said, "some prettier than others, I might add."

Attempts at humor were few, but he closed by noting that his hometown Crawford, Texas, high school football team had won the state championship.

Earlier, Bush outlined an ambitious second-term agenda, promising to send Congress legislation reforming Social Security, and building upon reforms in the tax code and education.

Fielding questions from reporters at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, next to the White House, Bush said he will submit a federal budget that will cut the deficit in half in five years and maintain strict spending discipline.

The president also talked about the upcoming Iraqi elections, saying he doesn't expect the process to be "trouble free"' but that he's "confident" that the January 30 election will go forward. He raised doubts, however, about the performance of the Iraqi security forces so far.

Bush expressed confidence in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who is facing rising criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike. Bush said Rumsfeld was doing a "very fine job" in challenging times.

The president also said Bernard Kerik did the right thing in removing his name from consideration as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Bush said that 2004 has been a year of "substantial progress at home and abroad," but there was "more we must do" in the coming year.

The president highlighted several proposals that could be difficult to get through Congress, even though both houses are controlled by Republicans.