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CNN Live Today

Focus on the Economy: Touting Tax Breaks

Aired June 16, 2003 - 10:03   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: Now, again, urgent international events rivaling this domestic agenda here in the States, even as President Bush tries to focus on the U.S. economy. This time, the big topic is the Middle East. The president is in Elizabeth, New Jersey, this morning. He will be speaking with small business leaders; however, the Middle East is a topic that is still not far from his agenda.
Our Chris Burns is standing by now live in Elizabeth. He's got the very latest.

Good morning -- Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Leon.

We're focusing right now. We've got a quick setup right now as the president is about to arrive shortly in the next couple of hours here in New Jersey to talk about tax relief. However, he's also been keeping his eye on the Middle East.

He had spoken to reporters during his weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine. He spoke to reporters talking about his determination to continue with the peace process, despite the latest wave of violence, saying that he intends to use the full weight of the U.S. government to do so. He is sending Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region next weekend. And the president talking about how it's very important to crack down on Hamas and other militants.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My assessment is is that there are people that want peace to go forward and there are people that don't. And for those of us who want peace to go forward, we must combine our efforts to prevent people like Hamas from sabotaging peace. I'm confident we can achieve peace. It's going to be a tough road, but I am determined to continue to lend the weight of this government to advance peace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNS: Now the president, having wrapped up his long Father's Day weekend at the family compound in Maine, he is on his way back to Washington, passing here through New Jersey to talk to small business owners about tax relief. Under his tax plan that's just been passed, the tax plan that's under fire by Democrats who say it's really -- it's mainly going to benefit the wealthy investors. So the president making his argument here in what could very well be a battleground state in next year's election -- Leon. HARRIS: All right, thanks, Chris. And we'll be checking back with you in just a few minutes so stay tuned, all right?

BURNS: 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 June 16, 2003 - 10:03   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now, again, urgent international events rivaling this domestic agenda here in the States, even as President Bush tries to focus on the U.S. economy. This time, the big topic is the Middle East. The president is in Elizabeth, New Jersey, this morning. He will be speaking with small business leaders; however, the Middle East is a topic that is still not far from his agenda.
Our Chris Burns is standing by now live in Elizabeth. He's got the very latest.

Good morning -- Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Leon.

We're focusing right now. We've got a quick setup right now as the president is about to arrive shortly in the next couple of hours here in New Jersey to talk about tax relief. However, he's also been keeping his eye on the Middle East.

He had spoken to reporters during his weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine. He spoke to reporters talking about his determination to continue with the peace process, despite the latest wave of violence, saying that he intends to use the full weight of the U.S. government to do so. He is sending Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region next weekend. And the president talking about how it's very important to crack down on Hamas and other militants.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: My assessment is is that there are people that want peace to go forward and there are people that don't. And for those of us who want peace to go forward, we must combine our efforts to prevent people like Hamas from sabotaging peace. I'm confident we can achieve peace. It's going to be a tough road, but I am determined to continue to lend the weight of this government to advance peace.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURNS: Now the president, having wrapped up his long Father's Day weekend at the family compound in Maine, he is on his way back to Washington, passing here through New Jersey to talk to small business owners about tax relief. Under his tax plan that's just been passed, the tax plan that's under fire by Democrats who say it's really -- it's mainly going to benefit the wealthy investors. So the president making his argument here in what could very well be a battleground state in next year's election -- Leon. HARRIS: All right, thanks, Chris. And we'll be checking back with you in just a few minutes so stay tuned, all right?

BURNS: 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