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CNN Live Today

President Celebrates 4th in West Virginia Town

Aired July 04, 2002 - 13:06   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is urging Americans to get out today and celebrate. Already he has been out and about himself. CNN's Kelly Wallace joins us from the White House to tell us about the president's Fourth of July celebrations thusfar.

Hi, there, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Fredricka. President Bush definitely out and about. We have learned he just finished up a run outdoors in this incredible heat.

We certainly feel sorry for those secret service agents who had to run along with the president. But Mr. Bush also had a Fourth of July message for the nation, and he took that to the very small town of Ripley, West Virginia, population 3,500.

There we saw the president do something we don't often see a commander-in-chief do. Marine One landing in the backyard of 81-year- old Mabel Chapman (ph). And you can see Miss Chapman greeting the president, getting a hug and a kiss.

We have been told by White House aides they saw Mabel Chapman mowing her two acre lawn herself in advance of the president's visit. Well, after talking with Mabel Chapman, the president took his message to a crowd of several thousand, and he talked about how this country has pulled together since the September 11 attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In this 226th year of our independence, we have seen that American patriotism is still a living faith. We love our country only more when she's threatened.

(APPLAUSE)

WALLACE: The president saying the greatest asset in this campaign against terrorism, members of the United States military, and he announced an executive order which he issued yesterday, allowing some 30,000 immigrants in the United States military to apply immediately for U.S. citizenship.

Previously they would have to wait three years before becoming eligible. The president said he's doing this as a reward for their service. And on this day, though, Fredricka, we should say there is some politics in the air. The president traveling to West Virginia, a state that traditionally votes Democratic, but a state that went Bush's way back during the 2000 campaign -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: So Kelly, President Bush just made Mabel's (ph) day. How in the world did she get selected as the homeowner whose yard would be graced by the president of the United States?

WALLACE: That is good question. It does appear she had very large yard, some two acres, large enough, certainly, for the president's chopper to land there. So it's not clear if she volunteered or if she was sought after. But it is very interesting. She was actually seen on a riding lawn mower, getting that lawn ready for the president. You could say she's certainly the star of Ripley, West Virginia on this day -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh, you better believe it. So West Virginia or Ripley, West Virginia in particular, why did the president or the White House corps choose that location?

WALLACE: Well, that town, apparently, brings a crowd of several thousand, some 6,000 or so turn out every year for July 4th festivities. A lot of veterans turn out to salute. You know, people have served in the military, and, again, we must really note the politics here -- the president traveling to West Virginia.

It was an important state to him during the 2000 campaign, it would be an important state for him if he chooses to run for reelection in 2004. Earlier this week he traveled to other important states, Ohio and Wisconsin. Some of his trips definitely designed to help his own cause and the cause of fellow Republicans in the mid-term elections -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Ripley, West Virginia proudly sharing its celebrations with the president. Thank you very much. Kelly Wallace, from the White House, and of course the president will be in the nation's capital tonight enjoying the festivities right there on the mall in Washington.

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