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CNN Live Today
Bush to Seek Congressional Support
Aired September 04, 2002 - 13:10 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, the Congress, and Iraq. Heavy hitters from Capitol Hill were called to the White House today to hear a long awaited pitch for deposing Saddam Hussein. Some had complained that they were out of the loop, and several people left the meeting saying they need to hear more.
For what Mr. Bush may have accomplished today, we turn to CNN political analyst William Schneider -- but Bill, let's take a listen to the remark from the president earlier in the cabinet room before we start talking.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Saddam Hussein is a serious threat. He is a significant problem, and it is something that this country must deal with. And today, the process starts about how to open dialogue with the elected officials, and therefore the American people about our future and how best to deal with it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Bill, what is your reaction?
WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: The key phrase in what the president just said is "today the process starts." Today. The Iraqi show has been debated for the last month, even longer. Is the president rushing into war, is he taking reckless action, is he going to act without consulting Congress or the United Nations?
The president answered that question because he said he is going to make the case, but the process starts now. He is going to be very cautious, do it step by step, but it hasn't started yet. It starts today.
PHILLIPS: All right, Bill. Let's listen to what Senate Republican leader Trent Lott had to say upon emerging from this meeting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. TRENT LOTT (R), MISSISSIPPI: This was an important meeting that the president bring in the bipartisan leadership, not only elected leadership, but the leaders of the critical committees, Intelligence, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs have input from these members, and I believe that that is the way we can get a coordinated strategy and a message, not only for the American people, but for the world. (END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: What do you think, Bill?
SCHNEIDER: What I think is that he didn't go quite as far as the president did. Trent Lott, the Republican leader in the Senate said the president is going to bring in the bipartisan leadership of the Congress. They are going to -- quote -- "have input" into his decision. But the president actually went one step further. He said he is going to seek approval from the United States Congress. When asked if that means Congress could veto his decision, he didn't say they could that. He clearly expects to have approval, that is what Ari Fleischer just said, but the president went a step further and said he is going to seek an actual vote.
PHILLIPS: And Bill, as you know, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have voiced their reservations and concerns. Let's take a listen to what House minority leader Dick Gephardt had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), MINORITY LEADER: Then there is the matter of what happens in Iraq after something happens. How are we going to build a democracy, how -- who is going to help with that? What is the strategy for dealing with all of that? Then there is the question of whether the military should be involved. I think Tom is right. I don't think there is one way to deal with this at this point. There will be an explanation at the United Nations of perhaps ways of dealing with this short of military power.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Bill, Gephardt brings up a number of points that the generals -- a number of generals have brought up, and that is cost of rebuilding Iraq, helping them build a military. We see from Afghanistan how much time that takes, resources, and money.
SCHNEIDER: That is right. And what Dick Gephardt said is there might be possibilities other than military power. What he is pressuring the president to do is urging the president to do is to make the case involving the United Nations. Essentially, what a lot of Democrats, including Dick Gephardt, want to do is seek U.N. authorization to give Iraq a final ultimatum. Either you allow our inspectors in, and let them do whatever they want, or there will be military force. So the idea is, give Saddam Hussein an ultimatum before we resort to military force.
PHILLIPS: All right. Bill Schneider, always great to get your insight, Bill. Thanks. We will see you back here at 2:00.
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