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CNN Live Today
Democrats Angered by Use of 9/11 Photo in RNC Campaign
Aired May 15, 2002 - 11:12 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, in other political news, Democrats are expressing outrage today over a picture of President Bush. Republicans used the photograph, which was snapped on September 11, to raise some campaign cash.
Our White House Correspondent, Kelly Wallace, is at her post this morning to talk more about this -- Kelly, good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
And the criticism from Democrats continues to come. House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt here at the White House meeting with the president, called this a disappointment, said it could threaten the bipartisan unity when it comes the war on terror. The White House, for its part, reiterating again today that it believes this photo is OK to use because it shows the president doing his job.
Well, first, let's show the viewers what photo we're talking about. It is this photo here. It was taken aboard Air Force 1. President Bush talking to Vice President Cheney in the hours after the September 11 attacks. Republicans are offering this photo and two others to republican donors who contribute at least $150 to the Republican Party.
Well Democrats quickly seized on this, basically accusing republicans of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. Criticism coming even from Mr. Bush's former rival, former Vice President Al Gore, who called this "disgraceful." He went on to say, "I cannot imagine that the families of those who lost their lives on September 11 condone this -- and neither should the president of the United States.
While house speaker Dennis Hastert was here at the White House he said he was surprised by this, but he believes it is an important photo that many people would like to have.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. DENNIS HASTERT (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: It's something that there was a demand for it and the RNC obviously thought it was important to do and they did it. And probably they will think twice the next time they do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Now aides say the president is not objecting to this photo. We saw Mr. Bush last night helping Republicans raise a record $33 million for the party at a gala last night. White House aides say they were aware that the Republicans wanted to use some photos of the president. They were not aware, though, of the specific photos that were used.
And they also say they believe Democrats -- the criticism here is because Democrats simply can't handle the fact that President Bush has a very high approval rating in this country. And, Daryn, many Republicans saying that the Democrats are a little bit hypocritical here. Democrats were accused of many fund-raising flaps during the Clinton years, including those White House coffees and overnight stays in the Lincoln bedroom.
But Democrats say this is altogether different. Using a photo from the 9/11 date is inappropriate and in bad taste, many say -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And of course it's different when it's the other guy. Let's go ahead and pull up some e-mail. We've been getting a lot of response from our viewers. Here are a couple of them, Kelly for you.
This one from Jonathan in Belmont, Massachusetts. He says, "I'm a Democrat, a political junkie, and I still say, 'Who cares?' In 50 years, the photo might be good memorabilia. Until then, I will keep dusting my own family photos on the mantle."
And then one more we have here. Scroll on up. This one coming from Matt in Massachusetts. "Personally, I find it discussing to use that photo for fund raising. Frankly, Bush should be ashamed for the reason that the picture was taken while he was effectively in hiding jumping from bunker to bunker that day. He was doing nothing presidential on 9/11. Some leadership."
Wow, that one is a little bit scathing there, Kelly. I would imagine whether they stand by it or not, this has generated some discussion behind closed doors at the White House.
WALLACE: It certainly has, Daryn. You know, we have asked White House officials publicly and privately if there is any second- guessing going on. Officials say no, although they're clearly distancing themselves a bit. They say it was White House staffers who knew that the Republican committees were going to use this photo. That it didn't get to a very senior level. That Karl Rove, the president's senior political adviser wasn't someone who weighed in, and they did not know which photos were being used.
Still, clearly, as you can see, some viewers think it's really inappropriate to use this. But other people, like House Speaker Dennis Hastert, said he would like the photo himself. That he thinks it's a piece of history and not really a political photo at all -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Unless it brings cash to the coffers for the Republicans. Then that might be a different thing. Kelly Wallace at the White House, thank you.
WALLACE: Sure.
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