Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
President Bush on Offensive
Aired February 24, 2004 - 06:01 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: The West takes center stage for Democrats today, with voters in three states set to make their choice. Utah holds its primary today, while Idaho and Hawaii hold caucuses. Sixty-one delegates are at stake. But who's waiting for the outcome? Certainly not President Bush. He's already on the attack. The target? John Kerry.
President Bush spoke before a group of Republican governors, and he let the barbs fly.
Bill Prasad live in D.C. for us with specifics.
Good morning to you.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
The president's tone was certainly sharp. He didn't mention John Kerry by name, but he certainly went after the senator. He accused John Kerry of flip-flopping on the issues.
Here's a look at the president in attack mode.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The other party's nomination battle is still playing out. The candidates are an interesting group with diverse opinions: for tax cuts and against them; for NAFTA and against NAFTA; for the Patriot Act and against the Patriot Act; in favor of liberating Iraq and opposed to it. And that's just one senator from Massachusetts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PRASAD: The president also defended his economic policies, saying the tax cuts are working. He asked for patience, calling this an economy in transition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: This economy of ours is going through a time of challenge and change. In a new economy, many workers change jobs several times or start their own businesses or work out of their homes as contractors. They often don't have pensions or health care through their jobs. Many have had to learn new skills.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PRASAD: Mr. Bush said Democrats will raise taxes and lower American prestige overseas.
Carol, he also made a bold prediction, saying that he would definitely win the election.
Back to you.
COSTELLO: No surprise there. He also spoke confidently of Dick Cheney, because there have been all of those rumors flying around that Dick Cheney would be dropped from the ticket. What did he say?
PRASAD: Well, Carol, there was some fear among some Republicans that Dick Cheney could possibly hurt the ticket due to his input on Iraq policies and his close ties to Halliburton. But last night, Mr. Bush said he's proud to have Cheney on the ticket, that they don't get any better. Mr. Bush trying to put those rumors to bed, Carol. The president does not want any distractions on the campaign trail.
Back to you.
COSTELLO: All right, Bill Prasad live from D.C. this morning.
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 24, 2004 - 06:01 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The West takes center stage for Democrats today, with voters in three states set to make their choice. Utah holds its primary today, while Idaho and Hawaii hold caucuses. Sixty-one delegates are at stake. But who's waiting for the outcome? Certainly not President Bush. He's already on the attack. The target? John Kerry.
President Bush spoke before a group of Republican governors, and he let the barbs fly.
Bill Prasad live in D.C. for us with specifics.
Good morning to you.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
The president's tone was certainly sharp. He didn't mention John Kerry by name, but he certainly went after the senator. He accused John Kerry of flip-flopping on the issues.
Here's a look at the president in attack mode.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The other party's nomination battle is still playing out. The candidates are an interesting group with diverse opinions: for tax cuts and against them; for NAFTA and against NAFTA; for the Patriot Act and against the Patriot Act; in favor of liberating Iraq and opposed to it. And that's just one senator from Massachusetts.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PRASAD: The president also defended his economic policies, saying the tax cuts are working. He asked for patience, calling this an economy in transition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: This economy of ours is going through a time of challenge and change. In a new economy, many workers change jobs several times or start their own businesses or work out of their homes as contractors. They often don't have pensions or health care through their jobs. Many have had to learn new skills.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PRASAD: Mr. Bush said Democrats will raise taxes and lower American prestige overseas.
Carol, he also made a bold prediction, saying that he would definitely win the election.
Back to you.
COSTELLO: No surprise there. He also spoke confidently of Dick Cheney, because there have been all of those rumors flying around that Dick Cheney would be dropped from the ticket. What did he say?
PRASAD: Well, Carol, there was some fear among some Republicans that Dick Cheney could possibly hurt the ticket due to his input on Iraq policies and his close ties to Halliburton. But last night, Mr. Bush said he's proud to have Cheney on the ticket, that they don't get any better. Mr. Bush trying to put those rumors to bed, Carol. The president does not want any distractions on the campaign trail.
Back to you.
COSTELLO: All right, Bill Prasad live from D.C. this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
