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CNN Live Saturday

President Bush Monitors Sluggish Economy, War in Afghanistan and College Football

Aired December 01, 2001 - 15:34   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: The war and college football have been on the mind of President Bush. From near Camp David, CNN's Kelly Wallace has the latest on the president's day, which involved a visit to a traditional all-American event -- what could that be?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: What could that be, Catherine? Well, let's guess maybe the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia. You know, Catherine, President Bush is a very avid sports fan, but this visit taking on an added significance, of course, because of the military campaign under way in Afghanistan.

So we saw the president in Philadelphia overseeing the opening game coin toss, and then the president, the commander-in-chief, making it clear he did not have any favorites in this fight, spending some time with the midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy and then the other part of the game sitting with the cadets of West Point. And then before the game, the president visiting both teams' locker rooms, Mr. Bush making it clear his thoughts were not just about football on this day.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And I am thrilled to be here for the game, but I got to tell you, my mind is with your fellow soldiers overseas. And first of all, I am incredibly proud of how our military is conducting our operations. The enemy made a mistake. They weren't sure who they were dealing with, and they are finding out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: The president also saying that the cause is just, the cause is right, and that the U.S. will prevail.

Now earlier in the day, you could say the president and the Democrats were kind of dueling over the radio waves. Both Democrats and the president having their radio addresses focus solely on the economy. The stakes a lot higher now that we know the economy officially in a recession since March; Mr. Bush using his address to put some pressure on lawmakers. He said, "now is the time for lawmakers to pass a measure to give a boost to the sagging economy."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BUSH: The terrorist attacks of September the 11th hit our economy hard. They hurt our airlines and hotels and restaurants, and undermined consumer and business confidence. Now we need to act boldly to protect America's economic security. There are two immediate priorities for America's recovery. We must bring quick help to those who need it most, and we must restore our economy's growth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And Mr. Bush noted that the House of Republican -- Representatives, excuse me, passed $100 billion plan. He's calling on the Senate to follow their lead, but Senate Democrats say the House Republicans' plan, which mainly consists of tax cuts, just benefits big businesses and does not do enough to help needy workers. Senate Democrats want to see more federal spending to help the unemployment.

Catherine, it is not clear if the two sides can resolve what are deep philosophical differences, but negotiations are likely to be very intense in the days ahead -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: Not seeing so much bipartisanship anymore, are we?

WALLACE: No. You know, there was lots of talk of bipartisanship after September 11, but a little bit of some cracks in that bipartisanship now.

CALLAWAY: You know, Kelly, if I can move us back to Afghanistan for just a moment and the situation on the negotiations going on in Bonn, Germany. Are you hearing anything from the administration on their feelings on how those negotiations are going?

WALLACE: You know, it is interesting, Catherine. The administration definitely trying to step back at least publicly and say, look, it is up to those parties involved, the parties there in Bonn, Germany. Obviously you have a U.S. representative there, Ambassador Jim Dobbins, but the White House, the Bush administration trying to make the case that it is up to these parties to come together.

Obviously we know the White House definitely wanting to see a multi-ethnic, broad-based government, but right now trying to sort of at least publicly stay out and say it is really up to the parties to put together that government of Afghanistan.

CALLAWAY: All right, CNN's Kelly Wallace. Thanks, Kelly.

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