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Bush Attends Service in Maryland

Aired January 20, 2003 - 13:28   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 and Mrs. Bush attended a King Day service at a predominantly black church in Landover, Maryland. The holiday coincides with a spirited controversy over the Bush administration's stance on affirmative action.
Our White House correspondent Dana Bash joins us now live from the White House -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Well, that's right, the president didn't go too far from here. He went to a town called Glenarden, Maryland, where he attended the First Baptist Church there. It is, as you said, a predominantly African-American church. He spent some time there. He had a closed roundtable session. But he also attended and spoke at a church service. He got a round of applause, a standing ovation. There was also a standing ovation for his national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice. She accompanied him on that trip.

Now, the president talked about the civil rights leader's vision for a society of equality and justice, but he admitted that the nation isn't there yet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.: Even though progress has been made, there's more to do. There are still people in our society who hurt. There's still prejudice holding people back. There's still a school system that doesn't elevate every child so they can learn. There's still a lead for us to hear the words of Martin Luther King to make sure the hope of America extends its reach into every neighborhood across this land. So it's fitting we're here in a church that has got ministries aimed at healing those who hurt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, Kyra, this is all against a backdrop of a decision that the White House made last week that really angered African- American leaders and Hispanic leaders. That decision was to file a brief opposing an affirmative action program at the University of Michigan.

At the White House, the president, saying that he didn't agree with the idea, that it was essentially unconstitutional, that it was essentially quotas, which the administration opposes.

One of his top advisers, Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday, said he respectfully disagrees with his boss, said that he is a strong proponent of affirmative action, and said that he has had lots of discussions with the president and told him of his feelings -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Dana Bash, live at the White House, 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 January 20, 2003 - 13:28   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: President and Mrs. Bush attended a King Day service at a predominantly black church in Landover, Maryland. The holiday coincides with a spirited controversy over the Bush administration's stance on affirmative action.
Our White House correspondent Dana Bash joins us now live from the White House -- Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Well, that's right, the president didn't go too far from here. He went to a town called Glenarden, Maryland, where he attended the First Baptist Church there. It is, as you said, a predominantly African-American church. He spent some time there. He had a closed roundtable session. But he also attended and spoke at a church service. He got a round of applause, a standing ovation. There was also a standing ovation for his national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice. She accompanied him on that trip.

Now, the president talked about the civil rights leader's vision for a society of equality and justice, but he admitted that the nation isn't there yet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.: Even though progress has been made, there's more to do. There are still people in our society who hurt. There's still prejudice holding people back. There's still a school system that doesn't elevate every child so they can learn. There's still a lead for us to hear the words of Martin Luther King to make sure the hope of America extends its reach into every neighborhood across this land. So it's fitting we're here in a church that has got ministries aimed at healing those who hurt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, Kyra, this is all against a backdrop of a decision that the White House made last week that really angered African- American leaders and Hispanic leaders. That decision was to file a brief opposing an affirmative action program at the University of Michigan.

At the White House, the president, saying that he didn't agree with the idea, that it was essentially unconstitutional, that it was essentially quotas, which the administration opposes.

One of his top advisers, Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday, said he respectfully disagrees with his boss, said that he is a strong proponent of affirmative action, and said that he has had lots of discussions with the president and told him of his feelings -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Dana Bash, live at the White House, 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