Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
What's on Tap for D.C. Today?
Aired August 12, 2002 - 06:06 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush continues his working vacation from his ranch in Texas, but still a busy day in Washington.
Our Washington deputy bureau chief, Steve Redisch, joins us live by phone with a look at what's on tap in D.C.
Good morning -- Steve.
STEVE REDISCH, CNN WASHINGTON DEPUTY BUREAU CHIEF: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: So what have you got going?
REDISCH: Well, as you mentioned, President Bush is on the ranch, and he'll stay on the ranch at least through the day, at least there is nothing official on his schedule today.
Tomorrow, he goes to Waco, Texas, and holds an economic forum, which is designed to show the country that things are much better economically than the stock market may indicate. And he's supposed to be talking to real people with real concerns, rather than suits on Wall Street or suits who crunch the economic numbers.
COSTELLO: There's a bit of controversy surrounding this economic summit, though.
REDISCH: There is always controversy when the president tries to take something and others may see it as an opportunity for political gain. So the president is trying to show that he is in touch with the economy, and that the economy is going full steam ahead, despite what the stock market may indicate.
COSTELLO: Got you. A lot of talk in Washington, too, about US Airways filing for bankruptcy.
REDISCH: It is the first major airline, first of the big six to file, to bankruptcy since the September 11 attacks, and USAir was probably hit hardest by the slowdown in travel and the closing of Ronald Reagan National Airport for about three weeks right across the river across from downtown Washington.
USAir has been slow to get back on its feet, and they are trying to win some union concessions with the machinists and the ramp workers. They already have won some concessions with flight attendants and pilots.
COSTELLO: Got you. Donald Rumsfeld is also hosting his counterpart from the Philippines?
REDISCH: He is coming to the Pentagon today. There will be an honor cordon today.
You mentioned a few minutes ago about the report in "The New York Times" that Rumsfeld wanted to send out special teams to hunt down al Qaeda. The Philippines has been fertile ground for groups that are linked to al Qaeda, called Abu Sayyaf, and Rumsfeld and the Filipino defense minister will probably talk about ways in which the United States and the Philippines can cooperate on that front.
COSTELLO: So let's talk football again, because as you know, I love those Washington Redskins. J.C...
REDISCH: They won this weekend.
COSTELLO: Oh, they did win, and they won big at the last, what, seconds of the game?
REDISCH: It's only the exhibition season, Carol.
COSTELLO: I know. It's too early to tell. J.C. Watts actually suited up and played with the Redskins.
REDISCH: He's going to do that today. He's going to go up to Carlisle and practice with the Redskins. The outgoing Oklahoma congressman took the Oklahoma Sooners to two Orange Bowl victories in 1980 and '81, and you know, he's trying to flex his muscles before he leaves Washington.
COSTELLO: What...
REDISCH: Maybe it's a new career for him.
COSTELLO: Hey, you never know. You never know.
Steve Redisch, thank you for joining us this morning as usual. We'll check back in with you tomorrow.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
