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CNN Live Today

Democrats Accusing Republicans of Marketing Tragedy For Partisan Political Ends

Aired May 15, 2002 - 12:30   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: The attacks by Democrats have been fast and furious over the following photo that shows President Bush on the phone from Air Force One. The date was 09-11. He's on the phone with the Vice President Dick Cheney. Democrats accusing Republicans of marketing tragedy for partisan political ends.

On the Republican side, at least one top Republican is having this to say about the photo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DENNIS HASTERT (D-IL), HOUSE SPEAKER: It's something that there was a demand for it, and the RNC, obviously, thought it was important do, and they did it, and probably, they will think twice the next time they do it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HEMMER: Mr. Hastert appearing to have some reservations, not so in other corners. Let's talk to Bill Schneider about it, our senior political analyst, live from D.C.

Bill, how are you?

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: All right, Bill.

HEMMER: Republicans are saying Democrats are essentially jealous of a popular president during a time of war. Democrats are saying, some of them anyway, that this is essentially blood money. Is that how the two arguments right now are shaping up and some shaking down on this side?

SCHNEIDER: Well, more or less. What they are saying is that the Republican National Committee is making the war on terrorism a partisan issue, and Democrats are saying we wouldn't dare dream of doing such a thing. And Democrats are saying, it is not a partisan issue, we've supported the president throughout. And for them to raise money by selling photographs of the president talking to the vice president on September 11th is exploiting the issue for partisan gain, it's raising money, it's spoiling the bipartisan tone of this effort.

HEMMER: We just heard a quick soundbite from Dennis Hastert, who appeared to have some reservation about this decision. Is there reservation in other corners of the Republican Party or not, Bill?

SCHNEIDER: Well, I think when he said that Republicans ought to think twice before they do this, I think we was speaking for a lot of Republicans, who are a little bit embarrassed about this. This is the second time it's happened. The president's White House adviser, his political strategist, Karl Rove, spoke to the Republican National Committee in January in Austin, Texas, and said directly, we want to make the war on terrorism a political issue.

And Democrats then, like now, were outraged. The Republicans have to benefit from the war on terrorism from President Bush's enhanced stature, his authority, admiration for his handling on the war, national unity. They have to benefit from the war without making it an issue.

HEMMER: I know you like looking at history. Take this perspective, reading this morning in 1944, FDR announces re-election for president on the desk of an aircraft carrier owned by the U.S. Navy. It has been done before certainly. I guess the ultimate question is, is to advisable?

SCHNEIDER: Well, president's typically look -- when they have the opportunity to look like world leaders, that enhances their political power. But the most important thing is, you cannot appear to be making it an issue. Roosevelt wasn't doing that when he announced his re-election. We were in the middle of a war. But when you say explicitly, we're going to sell pictures, we're going to make this an issue, then you are crossing the line, and Democrats are calling the Republicans on it.

HEMMER: Any chance they would pull it back it back, or not?

SCHNEIDER: No, I don't think they are going to pull it back. They say there is nothing wrong with it, but they are a little embarrassed by it.

HEMMER: All right, Bill, Thanks. Bill Schneider in Washington.

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