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Lottless Leadership
Aired December 20, 2002 - 14:12 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: President Bush is also reacting to Lott's decision to step down as leader of the Senate. We get the latest now from White House correspondent Dana Bush -- Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Dana Bash, no relation to the president.
But we are told that the president was informed by White House chief of staff Andy Card coming out of a National Security Council meeting this morning at about 11:00. Shortly thereafter, he spoke on the phone. The president spoke on the phone, with Senator Lott. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer described that meeting as warm and friendly, and Fleischer said that President Bush said to Senator Lott some things very similar to what he said in his public statement.
And that public statement says -- quote -- "I respect the very difficult decision Trent made on behalf of the American people as majority and minority leader in the Senate. Trent Lott improved education for the American people. He led the way in securing tax relief. He strengthened our national security, and he stood for a bold and effective foreign policy.
"Trent is a valued friend and a man I respect. I am pleased he will continue to serve our nation in the Senate and I look forward to working with him on our agenda to make America safer, stronger and better.
Now statements to the White House on what's going to happen next are very similar to the statements that we heard about the controversy surrounding Senator Trent Lott. They're saying that it's an internal matter for the Senate, that they should decide who the next leader is, but we do know that if it is, in fact, going to be Senator Frist, as all signs seem to be pointing to right now, it certainly would make the White House very happy.
Senator Frist is somebody that has worked very closely with George Bush, way back during the campaign. Senator Frist was the point person in the Senate to then-candidate George Bush, and he's worked closely with George Bush ever since. Of course he worked very closely with the White House since this past election on the midterm elections, helping to get the Republican majority that we now have.
So if it is senator Frist, the White House certainly would be very pleased.
PHILLIPS: Dana Bash and you must forgive me. As I said Dana Bush. I'm thinking the White House and I'm thinking bush, Forgive me. BASH: No problem.
PHILLIPS: Thank you very much.
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 20, 2002 - 14:12 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is also reacting to Lott's decision to step down as leader of the Senate. We get the latest now from White House correspondent Dana Bush -- Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Dana Bash, no relation to the president.
But we are told that the president was informed by White House chief of staff Andy Card coming out of a National Security Council meeting this morning at about 11:00. Shortly thereafter, he spoke on the phone. The president spoke on the phone, with Senator Lott. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer described that meeting as warm and friendly, and Fleischer said that President Bush said to Senator Lott some things very similar to what he said in his public statement.
And that public statement says -- quote -- "I respect the very difficult decision Trent made on behalf of the American people as majority and minority leader in the Senate. Trent Lott improved education for the American people. He led the way in securing tax relief. He strengthened our national security, and he stood for a bold and effective foreign policy.
"Trent is a valued friend and a man I respect. I am pleased he will continue to serve our nation in the Senate and I look forward to working with him on our agenda to make America safer, stronger and better.
Now statements to the White House on what's going to happen next are very similar to the statements that we heard about the controversy surrounding Senator Trent Lott. They're saying that it's an internal matter for the Senate, that they should decide who the next leader is, but we do know that if it is, in fact, going to be Senator Frist, as all signs seem to be pointing to right now, it certainly would make the White House very happy.
Senator Frist is somebody that has worked very closely with George Bush, way back during the campaign. Senator Frist was the point person in the Senate to then-candidate George Bush, and he's worked closely with George Bush ever since. Of course he worked very closely with the White House since this past election on the midterm elections, helping to get the Republican majority that we now have.
So if it is senator Frist, the White House certainly would be very pleased.
PHILLIPS: Dana Bash and you must forgive me. As I said Dana Bush. I'm thinking the White House and I'm thinking bush, Forgive me. BASH: No problem.
PHILLIPS: Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
