Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

President Vacations in Kennebunkport

Aired July 07, 2001 - 17:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FRAZIER: Beautiful weather in Maine today where President Bush is enjoying his first visit to the family vacation home in Kennebunkport as a president. While his father visited there often as president, the younger Bush prefers his Texas ranch. Still he considers Kennebunkport a special part of his family and locals there hope he returns a lot to the place now known as the town of two presidents.

Here is CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace traveling with the president.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, (voice-over): Even on vacation, no sleeping in for President Bush. Shortly after sunrise he hits the golf course with his dad, the former president and brother Jeb.

QUESTION: How does it feel to get out of Washington, sir.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I like it here.

WALLACE: There is a lot to like. Kennebunkport is a quaint little town nestled against the water where time just seems to pass slowly.

The elder Bush, visited so much as president, the stone and shingle family compound became known as the summer White House. Long time residents remember fondly the former president hosting world leaders here, such as the late French President, Francois Mitterrand.

TOM BRADENBURY, KENNEBUNKPORT NATIVE: Francois Mitterrand went out with the president and they managed run up on a rock in one of these channels behind us here and there was a bit of a secret service issue deciding who should abandon ship first, which world leader and which world first lady.

WALLACE: The younger Bush says he prefers his Crawford ranch and considers himself a Texan, distancing himself from his New England roots yet he is comfortable here, mugging for the cameras on a fishing expedition and talking about losing the family championship in horseshoes.

BUSH: Actually the Georges pitched against the Jebs. Jeb and Jeb Jr., George H. W. and George W., a massive upset.

WALLACE: The election of this president has given Kennebunkport a new claim to fame. It is now "the home of two presidents."

DOROTHY BARTLEY, RESTAURANT OWNER: Isn't it wonderful. How many people get to know a president, never mind two presidents?

WALLACE: Dorothy Bartley owns a restaurant in the heart of town filled with photos and autographs from the 41st and 43rd presidents. She is hoping Mr. Bush comes back often. No hard feelings if he it doesn't, but residents think he will.

BRADBURY: I think we like Texas too, but I think after the heat drives him out there he will be back more often than he thinks.

WALLACE (on camera): Aides say President Bush considers Kennebunkport a special part of his family for the past 100 years. A place where his grandfather, the senator, used to vacation.

(voice-over): The president's August schedule has him vacationing in Crawford, Texas. Maybe this trip will go get him to reconsider.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Kennebunkport, Maine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com