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President, People Mull Iraq, Port Lockout

Aired October 08, 2002 - 14:41   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: There are two key items on the president's agenda right now: Iraq and the West Coast port lockout.
Joining us now with the latest on both, CNN's senior White House correspondent John King.

John, let's start with Iraq.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, last night, of course, the president's prime-time address to the nation. Today the president following up. He was in Tennessee campaigning for Republican candidates. But he also was replaying many of the themes he struck in that 29-minute address to the nation last night, Mr. Bush saying first and foremost that he hopes to avoid a military confrontation with Iraq. But Mr. Bush also saying the American people must understand he needs to be ready, just in case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I take my responsibilities as the commander in chief very seriously. Military option is my last choice -- the last choice. But should we commit our military, we'll be ready, we'll be prepared. We'll have a great plan. And make no mistake about it, we will prevail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: While Mr. Bush in Tennessee, his secretary of state, Colin Powell, up on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Powell trying to win an agreement in the United Nations Security Council for a tough new resolution on Iraq. He says one thing that would greatly help his cause, his lobbying effort up at the UN, in New York. There is a strong resolution from Congress authorizing the president to use force if necessary in confronting Saddam Hussein.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: It's a resolution that I think will draw a very, very solid, strong, overwhelming, bipartisan and bicameral support. It's a resolution that will definitely strengthen my hand as I try to do the diplomatic work up in New York to get a UN Security Council resolution. I think the resolution's timely and we need it now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: The administration optimistic on both fronts now. If the votes in Congress start later this week, by early next week the president should have the resolution from Congress.

U.S. officials also pointing to new statements today from leaders in Russia and France, suggesting a consensus forming at the UN Security Council as well. Still tough negotiations on the language at the United Nations, Kyra, but administration officials increasingly optimistic the president's position will carry the day.

PHILLIPS: John, the president expected to talk about his position on the West Coast port shutdown, 4:00 eastern time. Is that right? What do you know?

KING: That's right -- just outside the Oval Office here at the White House, at 4:00, CNN is told the president will announce he is taking an extraordinary step, invoking a power not used since the Carter administration: going to court in San Francisco seeking an injunction ordering the two parties back to work. The labor unions would report to work, the ports will reopen, 29 ports along the West Coast -- that during an 80-day cooling off period in which a mediator would try to end that contract dispute. But the biggest goal for the administration, get those ports reopened, get the dock workers back to work and end a paralyzing situation, a labor impasse costing the U.S. economy $2 billion a day.

PHILLIPS: John King, at the White House. Thanks, John.

Today, we begin something new. We call it American Voice. It's a chance to see how you feel about key issues. Joining us from Princeton, New Jersey, Gallup Poll editor-in-chief Frank Newport.

I guess, Frank, we should start with the president's speech last night. How did the public respond?

FRANK NEWPORT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, GALLUP POLL: We can he set up how the public was feeling as of Sunday. Don't have polling results yet as of late last night. But I can tell you that his job approval rating was quite high at 67 percent. So generally, he was in a good position.

But support for the basic of regime changing, military action in Iraq -- and that's how we've phrased the question here for over 10 -- it's been down. You can see the number went up there -- that's right after the 9/11 attack. But it's been down in the 50 percent. And just over the weekend, 53 percent, Kyra. So that's a lower number, a little lower than we've been seeing. Forty percent roughly say they now oppose it in general.

The American public also is in no hurry -- and I think that's a key point addressed by the president last night -- he's probably conscious of polls like this -- "Has enough been done diplomatically before military action should be taken?" That's the query we put to the public. And Kyra, you can see 51 percent say no, more should be done diplomatically. The public saying be cautious, be cautious. I think that's the message the president was getting.

PHILLIPS: The president also talked about October 1962, in the middle of the Cuban missile crisis. He quoted John F. Kennedy. Is there a difference here between the two? What kind of comparison did you find?

NEWPORT: It's fascinating. Forty years ago -- actually, Monday -- when those first pictures became available, 40 years ago Monday, we went back in our Gallup Poll archives and we found prior to the missile crises, a lot of Americans were very reluctant to get involved militarily against Russia and Cuba -- kind of like some people are feeling now; but boy, look at this: On the night of October 23, 1962, just after Kennedy went on television and talked about the blockade he was imposing, 84 percent in our Gallup Poll, 40 years ago, said they fully supported it. So once the action started, so to speak, there was dramatic support. And I think we'll probably see the same thing now if and when action starts in Iraq -- Kyra

PHILLIPS: We'll talk about that action, Congress having to approve a resolution. How do Americans feel about Congress weighing in on that?

NEWPORT: They want Congress to be involved. All polling shows that. Should Congress have the final say or should Bush have the final say. Big difference by your party. If you're a Republican, Bush should have the final say: 57 percent to 36. If you're a Democrat, nationally, look at the numbers here, Kyra: 70 percent of Democrats says it's Congress. But I would say in general, the public slightly more likely to say that Congress should be in there and really have its voice heard on this.

PHILLIPS: Another big issue a lot of people have been talking about, the West Coast shutdown, the port shut down. How do Americans feel about this and the economy right now?

NEWPORT: Bad. No light at the end of the tunnel. The port shutdown that the president's trying to do something about this afternoon is kind of icing on the negative cake, I should say. Are we in a recession? Well, 55 percent of Americans say yes. That's higher than July. That's a majority. Just wanted to give you a little comfort here. Way back in 1992, however, it was 84 percent who said the U.S. was in a recession. So we're not as bad as we were then. But all of our economic numbers, Kyra, right now from the public are looking very negative. The public doesn't see a light at the end of the tunnel.

PHILLIPS: Our Frank Newport, thank you so much. Interesting stuff, Frank.

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 October 8, 2002 - 14:41   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: There are two key items on the president's agenda right now: Iraq and the West Coast port lockout.
Joining us now with the latest on both, CNN's senior White House correspondent John King.

John, let's start with Iraq.

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, last night, of course, the president's prime-time address to the nation. Today the president following up. He was in Tennessee campaigning for Republican candidates. But he also was replaying many of the themes he struck in that 29-minute address to the nation last night, Mr. Bush saying first and foremost that he hopes to avoid a military confrontation with Iraq. But Mr. Bush also saying the American people must understand he needs to be ready, just in case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I take my responsibilities as the commander in chief very seriously. Military option is my last choice -- the last choice. But should we commit our military, we'll be ready, we'll be prepared. We'll have a great plan. And make no mistake about it, we will prevail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: While Mr. Bush in Tennessee, his secretary of state, Colin Powell, up on Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Powell trying to win an agreement in the United Nations Security Council for a tough new resolution on Iraq. He says one thing that would greatly help his cause, his lobbying effort up at the UN, in New York. There is a strong resolution from Congress authorizing the president to use force if necessary in confronting Saddam Hussein.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: It's a resolution that I think will draw a very, very solid, strong, overwhelming, bipartisan and bicameral support. It's a resolution that will definitely strengthen my hand as I try to do the diplomatic work up in New York to get a UN Security Council resolution. I think the resolution's timely and we need it now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: The administration optimistic on both fronts now. If the votes in Congress start later this week, by early next week the president should have the resolution from Congress.

U.S. officials also pointing to new statements today from leaders in Russia and France, suggesting a consensus forming at the UN Security Council as well. Still tough negotiations on the language at the United Nations, Kyra, but administration officials increasingly optimistic the president's position will carry the day.

PHILLIPS: John, the president expected to talk about his position on the West Coast port shutdown, 4:00 eastern time. Is that right? What do you know?

KING: That's right -- just outside the Oval Office here at the White House, at 4:00, CNN is told the president will announce he is taking an extraordinary step, invoking a power not used since the Carter administration: going to court in San Francisco seeking an injunction ordering the two parties back to work. The labor unions would report to work, the ports will reopen, 29 ports along the West Coast -- that during an 80-day cooling off period in which a mediator would try to end that contract dispute. But the biggest goal for the administration, get those ports reopened, get the dock workers back to work and end a paralyzing situation, a labor impasse costing the U.S. economy $2 billion a day.

PHILLIPS: John King, at the White House. Thanks, John.

Today, we begin something new. We call it American Voice. It's a chance to see how you feel about key issues. Joining us from Princeton, New Jersey, Gallup Poll editor-in-chief Frank Newport.

I guess, Frank, we should start with the president's speech last night. How did the public respond?

FRANK NEWPORT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, GALLUP POLL: We can he set up how the public was feeling as of Sunday. Don't have polling results yet as of late last night. But I can tell you that his job approval rating was quite high at 67 percent. So generally, he was in a good position.

But support for the basic of regime changing, military action in Iraq -- and that's how we've phrased the question here for over 10 -- it's been down. You can see the number went up there -- that's right after the 9/11 attack. But it's been down in the 50 percent. And just over the weekend, 53 percent, Kyra. So that's a lower number, a little lower than we've been seeing. Forty percent roughly say they now oppose it in general.

The American public also is in no hurry -- and I think that's a key point addressed by the president last night -- he's probably conscious of polls like this -- "Has enough been done diplomatically before military action should be taken?" That's the query we put to the public. And Kyra, you can see 51 percent say no, more should be done diplomatically. The public saying be cautious, be cautious. I think that's the message the president was getting.

PHILLIPS: The president also talked about October 1962, in the middle of the Cuban missile crisis. He quoted John F. Kennedy. Is there a difference here between the two? What kind of comparison did you find?

NEWPORT: It's fascinating. Forty years ago -- actually, Monday -- when those first pictures became available, 40 years ago Monday, we went back in our Gallup Poll archives and we found prior to the missile crises, a lot of Americans were very reluctant to get involved militarily against Russia and Cuba -- kind of like some people are feeling now; but boy, look at this: On the night of October 23, 1962, just after Kennedy went on television and talked about the blockade he was imposing, 84 percent in our Gallup Poll, 40 years ago, said they fully supported it. So once the action started, so to speak, there was dramatic support. And I think we'll probably see the same thing now if and when action starts in Iraq -- Kyra

PHILLIPS: We'll talk about that action, Congress having to approve a resolution. How do Americans feel about Congress weighing in on that?

NEWPORT: They want Congress to be involved. All polling shows that. Should Congress have the final say or should Bush have the final say. Big difference by your party. If you're a Republican, Bush should have the final say: 57 percent to 36. If you're a Democrat, nationally, look at the numbers here, Kyra: 70 percent of Democrats says it's Congress. But I would say in general, the public slightly more likely to say that Congress should be in there and really have its voice heard on this.

PHILLIPS: Another big issue a lot of people have been talking about, the West Coast shutdown, the port shut down. How do Americans feel about this and the economy right now?

NEWPORT: Bad. No light at the end of the tunnel. The port shutdown that the president's trying to do something about this afternoon is kind of icing on the negative cake, I should say. Are we in a recession? Well, 55 percent of Americans say yes. That's higher than July. That's a majority. Just wanted to give you a little comfort here. Way back in 1992, however, it was 84 percent who said the U.S. was in a recession. So we're not as bad as we were then. But all of our economic numbers, Kyra, right now from the public are looking very negative. The public doesn't see a light at the end of the tunnel.

PHILLIPS: Our Frank Newport, thank you so much. Interesting stuff, Frank.

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