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Bush in Pennsylvania
Aired August 05, 2002 - 14:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Abortion opponents are also cheering a bill signed into law today by President Bush. The measure expands the federal definitions of "person," "human being," "child" and "individual" to include fetuses who survive attempts to abort them.
CNN's Kelly Wallace has more on the president's day in Pennsylvania.
Kelly, so many terms to keep up with.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: This is such a complicated story, Kyra. I'm really struggling to make it simple for you. But what we can say this new law will do is it gives federal protections to a fetus delivered alive even if it is part of an intended abortion.
It is a victory for abortion rights opponents because they say there are cases where fetuses are delivered alive in abortion procedures. And abortion rights supporters did not really object to this because they don't believe it will undermine a woman's right to choose.
The president, though, using this bill signing to reaffirm his opposition to abortion. And Kyra, he signed this bill in the state of Pennsylvania, an opportunity to reach out to social conservatives in a state very important to his reelection chances in 2004 -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Kelly, a number of things that the president talked about today in Pennsylvania. First the economy.
WALLACE: He did. The president continues to try and talk up the economy, To boost consumer confidence. The president, though, is well aware of some sluggish economic numbers. Second-quarter economic growth not as strong as economists had predicted. But at a fund- raiser a short time ago, the president sounded a very hopeful note, saying he is confident things are going to get better.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I believe that -- I'm an optimist. I'm an optimist about our economy. And I should be. The fundamentals are strong. Interest rates are low. Monetary policy is sound. I can assure you I will work with Congress to control excessive federal spending.
(END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: President trying to get that message out to consumers well aware that sagging consumer confidence can really play a role in the November elections and could effect the GOP in those Congressional elections -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Another stop in Pennsylvania. That was to talk to the coal miners, those rescued from the mine shaft. How did they react to meeting the president?
WALLACE: They seemed very excited to meet the president. Maybe sort of a little taken and overwhelmed, really, by all the pomp and circumstance. They met with the president behind closed doors and then the president came out and gave remarks, Kyra. And he saluted their spirit, the spirit of these miners trapped underground for 77 hours, and then the real miracle, rescue workers joining together to bring them out to safety.
The president saying, Kyra, that same spirit will help the country. he linked it to the fight against terror. And also, he linked it to the economy -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace, thank you so much.
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