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CNN Live Today
Bush to Begin Vacation
Aired August 06, 2002 - 11:38 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is back at the White House right now. At least for a few moments he's there. He's just coming back in from his checkup at the hospital. And he is getting ready to leave the beltway behind for a Texas-sized working vacation.
Let's go check in now with our White House correspondent Kelly Wallace for the latest on all that.
Good morning -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Leon.
One more piece of presidential business for the president, he is going to sign a new bill into law giving him the authority to negotiate trade deals without Congress being able to amend them down the road, this a very big priority for the president. So he is hosting a very grand ceremony in the East Room just about 30 minutes from now.
But first, as you said, he had to go to the doctor. The president came back to the White House just a few minutes ago and gave reporters a thumbs up, indicating his annual physical went well. In fact, one of the president's doctors, asked how it went, he said it was, quote, "unbelievable." The president is in very good health. He exercises every day, runs under a seven-minute mile. And in fact, last year, after his physical, doctors said he was in, quote, outstanding health.
Earlier this morning, though, the president really focussing on a very serious issue. The high profile case is kidnappings and killings of small children, cases in California, Danielle van Dam and Samantha Runnion. The president announcing the White House will convene a conference next month bringing together policy experts to give advice to parents and communities about what they can do.
Also the Justice Department is putting out a booklet that will go to schools all across the country, offering important advice for parents on what they should tell their children to keep them safe.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: You should teach your children how to say no and how to trust their instincts. For example, children should know that unfamiliar adults usually would not ask them for directions or help. Such a request might be a trick to get their attention and, of course, to lure them away from safety.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: Some important advice for parents from the president.
Leon, then, just about an hour from now, the president heading to Crawford, Texas. It'll be a month-long getaway from Washington. Aides, though, are really stressing this will be a working vacation. They are sensitive at any suggestion the president will be taking a vacation at a time of concern about the economy and terrorism. So they continue to say he will be traveling around the country working very hard, talking about issues on the minds of America -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, Kelly, we understand the White House is being a bit sensitive about that particular issue. But do we have any idea exactly what kind of events or what kind of work the president is going to be doing while he is out there on the ranch?
WALLACE: Two things. Certainly, when the president is on the ranch, the White House basically will switch from Washington to Crawford, Texas. He'll have daily briefings, FBI intelligence briefings. But then again, he is going be traveling around, going to some 15 cities around the country, talking about issues such as education, trade, the economy. Also, Leon, of course, it is a political year. He will be doing his best to help Republicans before the November elections. And then on the economy, Leon, on Monday, he is hosting an economic forum in Waco, Texas, bringing together business leaders, students, workers, policy makers to talk about the economy. Very concerned that there has been sluggish economic growth, trying to what this administration can to boost the economy and boost consumer confidence along the way -- Leon.
HARRIS: All right, Kelly. As I understand -- I know you can't wait to get out there in those 100-degree temperatures, with the giant grasshoppers and all.
WALLACE: Texas in August: I mean, what more could one ask for? But no -- we look forward to it. We will be there later this month.
HARRIS: Take the sun block, you lucky girl.
WALLACE: Exactly. OK.
HARRIS: We'll see you later on.
WALLACE: Kelly Wallace, for now at the White House.
WALLACE: Sure.
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