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CNN Live Sunday
Bill Signing Blitz for Bush
Aired December 07, 2003 - 10:34 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.
HEIDI COLLINS, ANCHOR: Now to the White House, President Bush continues his year-end bill-signing blitz. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is keeping an eye on the president, who's been in Washington this weekend.
He's really in Washington, right Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As far as we know, Heidi. Good morning.
But we did see President Bush, the first lady and Mr. Bush's parents out at the church service earlier this morning. President Bush spending his day yesterday indoors, signing at least a dozen bills.
Mr. Bush is gearing up for an aggressive re-election campaign focusing on three things: he'll strengthen the economy, securing the homeland and winning the war against terror.
The president's Thanksgiving trip to Baghdad to visit the troops generated widespread support for the mission but also criticism for its secretive nature and reportedly a fake plastic turkey, but this morning it also reinvigorated the debate over whether or not the administration has a realistic exit strategy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: The trip was a good thing to do. And I applaud the president for doing it.
And having said that, the trip is no substitute for a plan about what we're going to be doing in Iraq. And my biggest criticism is that the administration went into Iraq without a real plan about what would be done after the inevitable military victory occurred. Because I certainly knew that we would be successful militarily.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The president's chief of staff, Andy Card, is making the rounds on the morning talk shows to convince Americans that progress is being made inside of Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: We are making great progress in the economy in Iraq, and the Iraqi people are finding more opportunities for jobs and to express some of their hope and desire through a free market economy.
We also know that they are working toward self-governance. And as they make progress in the economy and toward self-governance and sovereignty, I do think some of these Ba'athist elements that want to go back to the old ways may offer some challenges.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Tomorrow President Bush focuses on his domestic agenda when he signs the historic Medicare reform bill -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Suzanne Malveaux live at the White House. Thanks.
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 December 7, 2003 - 10:34 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, ANCHOR: Now to the White House, President Bush continues his year-end bill-signing blitz. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is keeping an eye on the president, who's been in Washington this weekend.
He's really in Washington, right Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: As far as we know, Heidi. Good morning.
But we did see President Bush, the first lady and Mr. Bush's parents out at the church service earlier this morning. President Bush spending his day yesterday indoors, signing at least a dozen bills.
Mr. Bush is gearing up for an aggressive re-election campaign focusing on three things: he'll strengthen the economy, securing the homeland and winning the war against terror.
The president's Thanksgiving trip to Baghdad to visit the troops generated widespread support for the mission but also criticism for its secretive nature and reportedly a fake plastic turkey, but this morning it also reinvigorated the debate over whether or not the administration has a realistic exit strategy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: The trip was a good thing to do. And I applaud the president for doing it.
And having said that, the trip is no substitute for a plan about what we're going to be doing in Iraq. And my biggest criticism is that the administration went into Iraq without a real plan about what would be done after the inevitable military victory occurred. Because I certainly knew that we would be successful militarily.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: The president's chief of staff, Andy Card, is making the rounds on the morning talk shows to convince Americans that progress is being made inside of Iraq.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY CARD, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: We are making great progress in the economy in Iraq, and the Iraqi people are finding more opportunities for jobs and to express some of their hope and desire through a free market economy.
We also know that they are working toward self-governance. And as they make progress in the economy and toward self-governance and sovereignty, I do think some of these Ba'athist elements that want to go back to the old ways may offer some challenges.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Tomorrow President Bush focuses on his domestic agenda when he signs the historic Medicare reform bill -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Suzanne Malveaux live at the White House. Thanks.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
