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Bush Speaks Out Against Lott's Comments
Aired December 12, 2002 - 14:04 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: Let's move on and talk about that rare public rebuke of a lawmaker's birthday toast by a member of his own party, who happens to be the president of the United States. Speaking today in Philadelphia, President Bush says Trent Lott's remarks -- quote -- "Do not reflect the spirit of this country."
CNN's Frank Buckley is live from Philadelphia with more on that, and many other stories on a very busy news day -- hi, Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Kyra. An aide to President Bush tells us that the president decided this morning to address this growing criticism of Trent Lott regarding the comments he made just last week at Strom Thurmond's 100-year birthday party when Trent Lott essentially said that when he ran for president on the segregationist ticket -- this was in 1948, that America should have voted for him. If they had, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years.
The president today coming out very strongly against those comments, the first time the president has addressed those comments.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Recent comments, recent comments by Senator Lott do not reflect the spirit of our country.
(APPLAUSE)
He has apologized, and rightly so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And Senator Lott's office issuing a statement just moments after the president spoke. Senator Lott essentially saying that he agreed with the president. He said that the words were, in fact, wrong, what he said the other night, and that he repudiates segregation.
It remains to be seen if Trent Lott will survive politically after all of the criticism that seems to be mounting. The president, for his part, saying, however, nothing about whether or not Trent Lott should resign. A spokesman for the president saying the president does not believe that he should have to resign -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Frank Buckley, thank you.
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 December 12, 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: Let's move on and talk about that rare public rebuke of a lawmaker's birthday toast by a member of his own party, who happens to be the president of the United States. Speaking today in Philadelphia, President Bush says Trent Lott's remarks -- quote -- "Do not reflect the spirit of this country."
CNN's Frank Buckley is live from Philadelphia with more on that, and many other stories on a very busy news day -- hi, Frank.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Kyra. An aide to President Bush tells us that the president decided this morning to address this growing criticism of Trent Lott regarding the comments he made just last week at Strom Thurmond's 100-year birthday party when Trent Lott essentially said that when he ran for president on the segregationist ticket -- this was in 1948, that America should have voted for him. If they had, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years.
The president today coming out very strongly against those comments, the first time the president has addressed those comments.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Recent comments, recent comments by Senator Lott do not reflect the spirit of our country.
(APPLAUSE)
He has apologized, and rightly so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BUCKLEY: And Senator Lott's office issuing a statement just moments after the president spoke. Senator Lott essentially saying that he agreed with the president. He said that the words were, in fact, wrong, what he said the other night, and that he repudiates segregation.
It remains to be seen if Trent Lott will survive politically after all of the criticism that seems to be mounting. The president, for his part, saying, however, nothing about whether or not Trent Lott should resign. A spokesman for the president saying the president does not believe that he should have to resign -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: All right. Frank Buckley, thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
