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CNN Live At Daybreak

Defending the War: A Safer World?

Aired February 06, 2004 - 05:01   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush today plans to name a panel to investigate pre-war intelligence on Iraq. CNN has learned Senator John McCain will be on the nine-member commission. The president's announcement comes as the administration defends its pre- emptive war.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): While CIA Director George Tenet takes on his critics over potentially faulty pre-war intelligence, President Bush continues his aggressive campaign to defend his call to war.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Knowing what I knew then and knowing what I know today, America did the right thing in Iraq.

MALVEAUX: President Bush stands by the man who delivered him the pre-war intelligence regarding Iraq, and continues to argue that Saddam Hussein posed such a threat that the U.S. had to go to war.

BUSH: We had a choice: either take the word of a madman or take action to defend the American people. Faced with that choice, I will defend America everytime.

MALVEAUX: In South Carolina, where Democratic candidates held their primary just two days ago, Mr. Bush acknowledged the U.S. had not found stockpiles of banned weapons of mass destruction in America.

But he emphasized there is still work to be done in the search. The White House strategy is simple: get this one message across:

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The president made the right decision.

MALVEAUX: But Democrats vying for Mr. Bush's job argue that the White House is still playing on American's fears to justify the war.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATRE: The White House used the words, to the American people and to the Congress, "urgent threat," "imminent threat."

MALVEAUX: But Mr. Bush argues not only is his policy on Iraq sound, what sets him apart from his critics is that he gets it. BUSH: America is safer when our commitments are clear, our word is good and our will is strong. And that is the only way I know how to lead.

MALVEAUX (on camera): Part of the White House strategy is for Mr. Bush to take his message where he's been hit the hardest: where Democrats are holding their primaries. Two weeks ago, it was New Hampshire. Thursday, South Carolina. Next week, Missouri.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 February 6, 2004 - 05:01   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 today plans to name a panel to investigate pre-war intelligence on Iraq. CNN has learned Senator John McCain will be on the nine-member commission. The president's announcement comes as the administration defends its pre- emptive war.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): While CIA Director George Tenet takes on his critics over potentially faulty pre-war intelligence, President Bush continues his aggressive campaign to defend his call to war.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Knowing what I knew then and knowing what I know today, America did the right thing in Iraq.

MALVEAUX: President Bush stands by the man who delivered him the pre-war intelligence regarding Iraq, and continues to argue that Saddam Hussein posed such a threat that the U.S. had to go to war.

BUSH: We had a choice: either take the word of a madman or take action to defend the American people. Faced with that choice, I will defend America everytime.

MALVEAUX: In South Carolina, where Democratic candidates held their primary just two days ago, Mr. Bush acknowledged the U.S. had not found stockpiles of banned weapons of mass destruction in America.

But he emphasized there is still work to be done in the search. The White House strategy is simple: get this one message across:

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: The president made the right decision.

MALVEAUX: But Democrats vying for Mr. Bush's job argue that the White House is still playing on American's fears to justify the war.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATRE: The White House used the words, to the American people and to the Congress, "urgent threat," "imminent threat."

MALVEAUX: But Mr. Bush argues not only is his policy on Iraq sound, what sets him apart from his critics is that he gets it. BUSH: America is safer when our commitments are clear, our word is good and our will is strong. And that is the only way I know how to lead.

MALVEAUX (on camera): Part of the White House strategy is for Mr. Bush to take his message where he's been hit the hardest: where Democrats are holding their primaries. Two weeks ago, it was New Hampshire. Thursday, South Carolina. Next week, Missouri.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com