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CNN Live Today

Bush Has Full Schedule Before Month Off

Aired August 06, 2002 - 13:29   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush has a full schedule on the last day before his month-long summer getaway.
CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace has her eye on the Oval Office. She joins us now live with an update.

He may be taking a vacation, but he is always on call, though, Kelly, right?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Exactly, Kyra. And President Bush wanted to get that message out himself, telling some reporters after an event in the East Room that he is just moving his office, that he's moving his office from the White House to Crawford, Texas, for the month of August.

The president left the White House a little bit earlier this afternoon. He seemed in very good spirits. After all, he certainly loves his Crawford, Texas, ranch. Waving to reporters, heading to that ranch for the month of August.

Before he left, though, he had to visit with his doctors. He had his annual physical. We're still waiting for the official report. But an early indication from one of his doctors asked how it went, he said it was, quote, "unbelievable." The president, as we know, in very good health, exercising every day, running under a seven-minute mile, certainly making all of us feel a bit jealous.

Now, the president had other presidential business to attend to. He was in the East Room signing a new bill into law. This one of his biggest priorities this. This law now gives him the authority to negotiate trade deals without lawmakers being able to amend them down the road, the president saying that five other presidents had this authority before him, until it expired, in 1994. He said it will be great for the economy and for American workers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Five presidents before me had this advantage. But since the authority lapsed, in 1994, other nations and regions have pursued new trade agreements while America's trade policy was stuck in park. With each passing day, America has lost trading opportunities, and the jobs and earnings that go with them. Starting now, America is back at the bargaining table in full force.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: And one of the keys to getting lawmakers to support that bill, a multibillion dollar package, $12 billion, money that will go to any American workers whose jobs are lost due to some trade deals.

I'm having trouble speaking, Kyra. Back to you.

PHILLIPS: That's all right. It is windy out there, Kelly. It's all right. You got a...

WALLACE: OK, we'll blame it on -- blame it on the wind.

PHILLIPS: There you go. Kelly Wallace, thank you so much. Always has it together. Thanks, kelly.

WALLACE: Sure.

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