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CNN Live Saturday
President Bush Ponders Military Options
Aired September 22, 2001 - 15:12 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.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Of course, we've been talking about President Bush. He's in meetings this weekend by teleconference with his national security advisers, and out Camp David in Maryland, our own Kelly Wallace is out there nearby at Hagerstown, Maryland.
Kelly, can you bring us up-to-date on the president's schedule, and we know that he's had a full day so far?
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: He has, and, Judy, picking up on your conversation with General Shepperd, one country the United States has been working closely with, that is Russia. President Bush having a very lengthy phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier today about 45 minutes to an hour. This their third telephone conversation since the attack on September 11, a sign of how the U.S. is trying to work with Russia to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
The U.S. certainly very interested in any intelligence Russia might have about Osama bin Laden and his network, and then as you and the general were talking about any experience from the former Soviet Union's 10-year battle in Afghanistan. So that an important move on the diplomatic front.
Also, Judy, the president meeting earlier today with his national security advisers as you noted, he did it via video conference. The president up at Camp David with his CIA director, his national security adviser, and his chief of staff, while the rest of his advisers were back in Washington. We know the military planning continuing, we know the diplomatic part of it as well continuing, Judy, the president working the phones expected to be reaching out to the leaders of Canada and also Japan this week.
Again, a sign of how the administration is really trying to develop its broad coalition is this fight against terrorism -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: Kelly, we noticed that also in his radio address the president mentioned the economy, a clear sign the White House is thinking about this, worrying about it.
WALLACE: Absolutely. As you know, Judy, the administration was very concerned about the sluggish economy, even before these deadly terrorist attacks, and now the administration is certainly concerned as many economists think the country will slip into a recession, so the president trying to do two things in his radio address. Number one, to say he is concerned. He's concerned about the thousands of people who've lost their jobs. He said the economy has definitely has had a "shock," after these attacks but he's also trying to, sort of, boost consumer confidence and spread some optimism. He talked about the tax rebate checks, federal interest rates, he said those will all have a good impact. He said the business climate will improve.
He's also, Judy, saying that he and democratic and republican members of congress working together, he's expected to sign that $15 billion measure to help the struggling airline industry. Also, you have talk of an economic stimulus package, maybe some increase in government spending as well as some additional tax cuts.
And, Judy, the message coming from the president and in the democratic response delivered by house minority leader Richard Gephardt is that there are really no Democrats and Republicans right now. Both parties working together to deal with the economy, and of course, to deal with this terrorism campaign -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: That's right, Kelly, I'm sure the White House has noted that you haven't had any criticism of the president's tax cuts as being responsible for the lagging economy -- at least since last week. Kelly, finally, when do we see the president again?
WALLACE: Well, we're not expected to see him today. We should see him tomorrow, though, Judy. The president will be joined by members of the U.S. Marine Corps for a ceremony at the presidential retreat at Camp David. As you know, the president ordered flags at all federal buildings to be at half-staff ever since the tragedy on September 11.
He will have a ceremony tomorrow to return the flags to full staff, so should be an emotional moment, and it will be part of the president's message, Judy, to try and encourage people to return to some sense of normalcy while he and his aids continue to work on this military, political, and economic campaign -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: All right. Kelly Wallace, reporting from near Camp David.
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