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CNN Live Today

Bush Makes Pitch for Increased Defense Spending

Aired March 15, 2002 - 14:10   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Saying nothing is more important than the security of the country, President Bush today made his pitch for more defense spending. Kelly Wallace traveling there in the state of North Carolina, now live in Fayetteville for that military tour today. Kelly, good afternoon.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon to you, Bill.

You know, President Bush can often talk to the military, he can often get briefings from commanders; one thing he doesn't often get to see, and that is a routine training exercise. Well, that's just what the commander-in-chief got to see today. We are going to show you some really incredible pictures -- stressing, though, this is practice, this is not the real thing.

What you are watching, rioters are surrounding a pretend U.S. embassy building. U.S. enemy forces which have overtaken some buildings nearby, so you have the Army Rangers settling in on Chinooks and Blackhawk helicopters, coming in to evacuate the embassy staffers and take control of the situation, all the while you have a very proud commander-in-chief looking on.

Later, President Bush told reporters his impressions of this exercise. He said, "wow, it shows just how well trained these men and women are." He said they should send a message, really, to the world about the commitment the U.S. military will make to defend freedom.

Now the president on a much more somber note also meeting with the widows, the widows two of men based here in North Carolina, who were killed in the fighting in Afghanistan earlier this month. The president meeting with those widows and then telling reporters, they passed along a message to him that he will use in this campaign against terrorism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I had the honor of meeting with the widows of two of the soldiers who died. They, too, have -- and their dad and their mom of one of the guys -- and to a person they said, Mr. President, you know, don't falter. These people just lost a loved one, and they are just as resolved about winning this war on terror as I am. And I was very impressed by their steadfast support for what we are doing and their understanding of the sacrifices necessary to defend freedom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And earlier this morning, this was the scene, the president getting really a thunderous reception from the men and women of Special Operations forces and their families. There, the president outlining what he calls the second stage of this war on terror, denying terrorists sanctuary, and also dealing with the threat of weapons of mass destruction.

But as you said, Bill, the president definitely using this visit to press Congress. The House expected to vote next week on his budget. Mr. Bush calling on the House to pass his budget, especially his call for an increase of more than $48 billion in military spending. The president saying now, during the time of war, is not a time for playing politics.

I should tell you, Bill, some Democrats are really taking issue with those comments of President Bush. They say they are not playing politics. Many Democrats pretty much agree with the president's defense spending proposals; they just obviously have some questions and want to weigh in on where that money will go -- Bill.

HEMMER: Kelly, thank you. Kelly Wallace in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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