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CNN Live Today
Interview With Christie Whitman
Aired May 21, 2003 - 11:19 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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In the meantime, we want to get some remarks from Washington. We have gotten word this morning that Christie Todd Whitman, the current administrator of the EPA, is stepping down. She made the announcement, at least John King reported that announcement coming out this morning. We understand that she spoke with President Bush yesterday to deliver her decision.
She joins us now to tell us about that. Thank you very much. Good to see you again. How are you?
CHRISTIE WHITMAN, EPA ADMINISTRATOR: It's good to see you, and I'm very well, thank you.
HARRIS: Tell us about this decision and why now?
WHITMAN: Well, as Ari Fleischer said, now is really the time. If you don't go now, you owe the president to stay through the reelection, and frankly, my husband and I have been married 29 years. For 26 and a half of them we lived together. The last two and a half, we haven't, and we like it better the other way. So it's really time for me to go home, and go home to him.
HARRIS: Well, we always hear the line about going to spend some more time with our families. We have heard that one time and time again.
Let me ask you about something else, because many people expected you to do something like this a long time ago. It's been no secret that you have clashed with the administration quite often in the past on environmental policy, the administration's decision, for instance, to step out of -- or to at least not join the Kyoto agreement. What do you say to people who say, what took you so long?
WHITMAN: Well, first of all, this isn't -- I'm not leaving because of clashes with the administration. In fact, I haven't had any. I report to the president. He has always asked me to give him my best, unadulterated advice. I have always done that, and we have been on the same page. I was never, as a governor, supportive of Kyoto protocol because it didn't do what everyone needs to get done as far as climate change is concerned. So I'm leaving now because it's the appropriate time to do it. We have just come out with a really important diesel rule. We have had two of the largest settlements in the history of the agency on New Source Review.
There's never an ideal time, but this is the best time, and it is the time for me to go home. When my husband gives me roses for Mother's Day, saying welcome home, you know it's time to go home. HARRIS: So you're saying this morning, then, that you have never had any disagreement at all with the administration in the direction it's taken, on whether it's been clean air standards, clean water and all. You've been in lock step?
WHITMAN: Well, there's always give and take. That's what administrations are all about, but the president has always wanted my unadulterated opinion, and that doesn't mean that you're having a battle about it. It just means that you give him what you think is your best advice. Other cabinet members will be doing it from their perspective, and it is not always exactly the same, but we have done some extraordinarily important things for the environment. Again, with our -- we have a program that we've just announced that will ensure that every school child -- that public school child that goes on a public school bus will be riding in a clean diesel bus by 2012. We have done the off-road diesel initiative. We have done a watershed initiative, an entirely new approach -- from the federal level, to ensuring that we have cleaner water. And, of course, the brown fields legislation was enormously important to helping the land.
HARRIS: Well, considering all that you've accomplished then, it's hard to imagine you going someplace and just sitting down and knitting and working in the rose garden. Are you going to run for the Senate?
WHITMAN: No. I have no plans.
HARRIS: You're not going to run for the Senate?
WHITMAN: No. I have no plans to run for any office. I have been in public office for 20 some odd years now, and it's time to take a little time for myself and see what's next. I don't know what's going to be next. Obviously I'll do something. I enjoy public policy. There are a lot of different ways to contribute, and I'll be looking for what is the best for me.
HARRIS: Are you saying you're not going to run for Senate this particular cycle, or you are saying you are not going to run at all?
WHITMAN: I have no plans to run for any office, but as you know in this business, you never say never to anything because it keeps you guys interested. No, seriously, I'm just going to take some time off for myself and see what happens.
HARRIS: Have you talked with President Bush about your possible successor?
WHITMAN: That's between the president and myself and the decision that he makes. We talked about the agency and the future of the agency and the fact that he was pleased with the work that we have been doing, and -- but what decision he makes is his decision.
HARRIS: Well, what do you make of the future of the agency as you're now in a position to step away and perhaps look at it with a bit of perspective here. What do you think about the future of the agency? WHITMAN: Well, I hope that the legislation that the president has supported to make -- give it cabinet status is passed. It deserves that. I call it the little agency that does. We're one of those agencies that when there's a crisis, people don't always think of us first, but when they think of us, they need us badly.
Whether it was in response to 9/11, anthrax, the Columbia shuttle going down, this agency is populated with some extraordinary people, some of the brightest minds and scientists doing incredible work. The hydrogen fuel cell -- we were out, I was just out earlier this week to announce a new initiative, putting those hydrogen fuel cells actually on the road, DaimlerChrysler and UPS.
This agency is truly making a difference, and the people that do that are the ones who are going to be here, and they are going to stay here, so it is nice and flattering to think that I'm making a difference or that my leaving might make a difference, but, in fact, the work of the agency will continue.
HARRIS: Well, you said moments ago that you have never had any clashes at all with President Bush about environmental policy. Can you explain, then, why it is that so many environmentalists across the country do think that there has been something of a standoff there between you and President Bush, and why they have been quick to defend you against President Bush?
WHITMAN: Well, I think part of it comes because controversy spurs enrollment, and for some groups, that's important. I mean, you look at the national -- the NRDC, National Resource Defense Council. When we came out with our off-road diesel initiative, said that it could possibly be the best thing for public health since we took lead out of gasoline twenty -- two decades ago. They were attacked by the other environmental groups for having said anything good about this administration, and if there has ever been a frustration being here at EPA, that's been one of it.
I mean, we have done a lot of good things. The environment engenders a lot of emotion. I understand that. You're always going to have people that are unhappy with any decision that you make, and that is fine. You can have good policy decisions, but when you do something that is hailed by everyone, recognized as being really significant and positive for the environment, to have other groups attack one group that says something good just doesn't make any sense, and to me it is a little disingenuous.
HARRIS: All right. You may have delivered the message to President Bush yesterday, but when did you make this decision?
WHITMAN: I talked to the White House a couple of weeks ago to let them know. Around about midway through the term, I started thinking about it, but there were some things that I wanted to get done, as the diesel rule, the NSR settlements that we were able to bring forward, and some of those things. I wanted to get Clear Skies really up and running and do the initial testifying, as I did on the Senate side, so it really was a couple of weeks ago.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Did the president try and talk you out of it? Did the president try and talk you out of it?
WHITMAN: He was very gracious and indicated he wished I would stay, but understood my reasons for leaving.
HARRIS: Well, we thank you for coming out and sharing all that with us this morning.
WHITMAN: Well, it is a pleasure.
HARRIS: It has always been a pleasure to interview you, and to have you on our shows, and we sure hope that we can find some excuse to talk to you again down the road...
WHITMAN: I hope so too.
HARRIS: ... whether or not you run for the Senate, which some of us don't really believe.
WHITMAN: Thanks.
HARRIS: All the best to you. Good luck.
WHITMAN: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 21, 2003 - 11:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: In the meantime, we want to get some remarks from Washington. We have gotten word this morning that Christie Todd Whitman, the current administrator of the EPA, is stepping down. She made the announcement, at least John King reported that announcement coming out this morning. We understand that she spoke with President Bush yesterday to deliver her decision.
She joins us now to tell us about that. Thank you very much. Good to see you again. How are you?
CHRISTIE WHITMAN, EPA ADMINISTRATOR: It's good to see you, and I'm very well, thank you.
HARRIS: Tell us about this decision and why now?
WHITMAN: Well, as Ari Fleischer said, now is really the time. If you don't go now, you owe the president to stay through the reelection, and frankly, my husband and I have been married 29 years. For 26 and a half of them we lived together. The last two and a half, we haven't, and we like it better the other way. So it's really time for me to go home, and go home to him.
HARRIS: Well, we always hear the line about going to spend some more time with our families. We have heard that one time and time again.
Let me ask you about something else, because many people expected you to do something like this a long time ago. It's been no secret that you have clashed with the administration quite often in the past on environmental policy, the administration's decision, for instance, to step out of -- or to at least not join the Kyoto agreement. What do you say to people who say, what took you so long?
WHITMAN: Well, first of all, this isn't -- I'm not leaving because of clashes with the administration. In fact, I haven't had any. I report to the president. He has always asked me to give him my best, unadulterated advice. I have always done that, and we have been on the same page. I was never, as a governor, supportive of Kyoto protocol because it didn't do what everyone needs to get done as far as climate change is concerned. So I'm leaving now because it's the appropriate time to do it. We have just come out with a really important diesel rule. We have had two of the largest settlements in the history of the agency on New Source Review.
There's never an ideal time, but this is the best time, and it is the time for me to go home. When my husband gives me roses for Mother's Day, saying welcome home, you know it's time to go home. HARRIS: So you're saying this morning, then, that you have never had any disagreement at all with the administration in the direction it's taken, on whether it's been clean air standards, clean water and all. You've been in lock step?
WHITMAN: Well, there's always give and take. That's what administrations are all about, but the president has always wanted my unadulterated opinion, and that doesn't mean that you're having a battle about it. It just means that you give him what you think is your best advice. Other cabinet members will be doing it from their perspective, and it is not always exactly the same, but we have done some extraordinarily important things for the environment. Again, with our -- we have a program that we've just announced that will ensure that every school child -- that public school child that goes on a public school bus will be riding in a clean diesel bus by 2012. We have done the off-road diesel initiative. We have done a watershed initiative, an entirely new approach -- from the federal level, to ensuring that we have cleaner water. And, of course, the brown fields legislation was enormously important to helping the land.
HARRIS: Well, considering all that you've accomplished then, it's hard to imagine you going someplace and just sitting down and knitting and working in the rose garden. Are you going to run for the Senate?
WHITMAN: No. I have no plans.
HARRIS: You're not going to run for the Senate?
WHITMAN: No. I have no plans to run for any office. I have been in public office for 20 some odd years now, and it's time to take a little time for myself and see what's next. I don't know what's going to be next. Obviously I'll do something. I enjoy public policy. There are a lot of different ways to contribute, and I'll be looking for what is the best for me.
HARRIS: Are you saying you're not going to run for Senate this particular cycle, or you are saying you are not going to run at all?
WHITMAN: I have no plans to run for any office, but as you know in this business, you never say never to anything because it keeps you guys interested. No, seriously, I'm just going to take some time off for myself and see what happens.
HARRIS: Have you talked with President Bush about your possible successor?
WHITMAN: That's between the president and myself and the decision that he makes. We talked about the agency and the future of the agency and the fact that he was pleased with the work that we have been doing, and -- but what decision he makes is his decision.
HARRIS: Well, what do you make of the future of the agency as you're now in a position to step away and perhaps look at it with a bit of perspective here. What do you think about the future of the agency? WHITMAN: Well, I hope that the legislation that the president has supported to make -- give it cabinet status is passed. It deserves that. I call it the little agency that does. We're one of those agencies that when there's a crisis, people don't always think of us first, but when they think of us, they need us badly.
Whether it was in response to 9/11, anthrax, the Columbia shuttle going down, this agency is populated with some extraordinary people, some of the brightest minds and scientists doing incredible work. The hydrogen fuel cell -- we were out, I was just out earlier this week to announce a new initiative, putting those hydrogen fuel cells actually on the road, DaimlerChrysler and UPS.
This agency is truly making a difference, and the people that do that are the ones who are going to be here, and they are going to stay here, so it is nice and flattering to think that I'm making a difference or that my leaving might make a difference, but, in fact, the work of the agency will continue.
HARRIS: Well, you said moments ago that you have never had any clashes at all with President Bush about environmental policy. Can you explain, then, why it is that so many environmentalists across the country do think that there has been something of a standoff there between you and President Bush, and why they have been quick to defend you against President Bush?
WHITMAN: Well, I think part of it comes because controversy spurs enrollment, and for some groups, that's important. I mean, you look at the national -- the NRDC, National Resource Defense Council. When we came out with our off-road diesel initiative, said that it could possibly be the best thing for public health since we took lead out of gasoline twenty -- two decades ago. They were attacked by the other environmental groups for having said anything good about this administration, and if there has ever been a frustration being here at EPA, that's been one of it.
I mean, we have done a lot of good things. The environment engenders a lot of emotion. I understand that. You're always going to have people that are unhappy with any decision that you make, and that is fine. You can have good policy decisions, but when you do something that is hailed by everyone, recognized as being really significant and positive for the environment, to have other groups attack one group that says something good just doesn't make any sense, and to me it is a little disingenuous.
HARRIS: All right. You may have delivered the message to President Bush yesterday, but when did you make this decision?
WHITMAN: I talked to the White House a couple of weeks ago to let them know. Around about midway through the term, I started thinking about it, but there were some things that I wanted to get done, as the diesel rule, the NSR settlements that we were able to bring forward, and some of those things. I wanted to get Clear Skies really up and running and do the initial testifying, as I did on the Senate side, so it really was a couple of weeks ago.
(CROSSTALK)
HARRIS: Did the president try and talk you out of it? Did the president try and talk you out of it?
WHITMAN: He was very gracious and indicated he wished I would stay, but understood my reasons for leaving.
HARRIS: Well, we thank you for coming out and sharing all that with us this morning.
WHITMAN: Well, it is a pleasure.
HARRIS: It has always been a pleasure to interview you, and to have you on our shows, and we sure hope that we can find some excuse to talk to you again down the road...
WHITMAN: I hope so too.
HARRIS: ... whether or not you run for the Senate, which some of us don't really believe.
WHITMAN: Thanks.
HARRIS: All the best to you. Good luck.
WHITMAN: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
