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CNN Live At Daybreak

What's on Tap for D.C. Today?

Aired August 01, 2002 - 06:11   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Every morning at this time we like to catch our Washington deputy bureau chief, Steve Redisch, before he heads to the bureau.

So, Steve, are you up?

STEVE REDISCH, WASHINGTON DEPUTY BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol, how are you doing?

COSTELLO: I'm fine.

Drinking that last cup of coffee, are you?

REDISCH: Or the first.

COSTELLO: The first cup of coffee. The first of many to come, I'm sure.

President Bush meets with King Abdullah today.

REDISCH: The convergence of both the Iraq story and the -- and the Middle East story comes to the White House today with King Abdullah, who is quoted today, was quoted over the weekend with Wolf Blitzer on "LATE EDITION" as saying the Middle -- the U.S. has got to get -- take a lead on the Middle East in order to stop the terrorism throughout the world as well as be able to lead against Iraq. If they don't settle the Middle East question, then any kind -- any thoughts of that going in after Iraq is -- in his words -- "ludicrous."

COSTELLO: Do you think that President Bush will say more about what happened at Hebrew University today?

REDISCH: He probably will, especially with King Abdullah at his side. While I don't want to put words into the president's mouth and certainly not predict the future, it certainly does seem a prime opportunity for him to do so.

COSTELLO: Certainly so.

Summer recess is coming for Congress, are they going to push any bills through at the last minute?

REDISCH: Today we expect to have the fast track authorization passed and sent on to the White House. And what that would do is allow president, whichever president, to make trade deals with anybody. That can be either passed or turned down but not amended by Congress.

COSTELLO: Got you.

REDISCH: Meantime, the politics are just quarrying (ph) today. Senator Trent Lott, the Republican leader, is planning a news conference with some of his other fellow leaders to give the Senate their grades for the session. And certainly as being in the minority, you can be sure that they'll be criticizing the Democratic majority.

COSTELLO: So what grade do you think he'll give them?

REDISCH: I don't think it'll be an A or an A+.

Meantime, Senator Daschle, the Democratic leader, along with Senator Kennedy, will be out there today trying to push forward their fall probably election issue which is pension reform. They're going to bring out a WorldCom employee who they claim lost all of his life savings. And you can be sure pension reform will be something that will be front and center on the Democrats agenda come September when they're back in session.

COSTELLO: I know it's hard to believe, but there are other things that go on in the city of Washington other than politics, because it's the panda's birthday.

REDISCH: One year old. The new panda's down at the National Zoo. I'm not going to even attempt to try and get their names straight. But there will a birthday party down at the -- at the National Zoo today, and you can see some of it live later on CNN.

COSTELLO: Oh, they're so cute.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: I think that's Bling Bling (ph), the panda.

COSTELLO: Bling Bling (ph).

COOPER: No, it's not that.

COSTELLO: I can't remember their names either, but...

REDISCH: Tian Tian and Mei Xiang, I believe.

COSTELLO: OK, good job, Steve. Well, we look forward to it all. And thank you this morning for giving us a briefing on what will happen in Washington, D.C. -- Steve Redisch.

REDISCH: Talk to you tomorrow.

COSTELLO: Bye.

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