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CNN Live Today

In Pennsylvania, President Continuing to Talk Up Economy

Aired August 05, 2002 - 13:00   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: As we reported, President Bush this hour is in Pennsylvania, and just made some remarks on the economy.

CNN's Kelly Wallace joins us from the Pittsburgh area to tell us more -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, well the president is continuing to talk up the economy at a fund-raiser here for the Republican gubernatorial candidate. He said he is an optimist about the economy, and he should be. He talked about how interest rates were low. He talked about sound monetary policy and tax policy, and he said these are reasons why he feels good about the economy.

It is interesting, because earlier during his speech when the president was saluting the nine coal miners who were rescued safely, he talked about the spirit that we all saw in that dramatic rescue. He said the same spirit would help the country deal with what he calls an economic downturn.

From the one hand, Kyra, the president talking up the economy, but he's also very well aware that there are signs of sluggish economic growth in the second quarter. The administration doing everything it can to try to boost consumer confidence, well aware how the economy could be a big factor in the November Congressional elections -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: So, Kelly, why is bush signing this the bill now, and why in Pennsylvania?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, in Pennsylvania, because it was really pushed by Republican Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. It is also, Kyra, an opportunity to reach out to abortion right opponents, and to do it in a very important state for the president. This is a state the president lost to Al Gore in 2000 and a state the president would certainly like to win in 2004.

And as for this bill, what it really does, it amends the legal definition of a human being and child to include a birth, a live birth as the result of an abortion procedure. Many people think this is largely symbolic. But again, abortion right opponents were pushing very hard for this -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace in Pittsburgh, thank you so much. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com