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Bush Not Taking Sides in California Recall Battle

Aired August 13, 2003 - 15:13   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.


JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: The Bush White House has been trying to be quite careful about the California elections, preferring instead to focus on the president's national agenda. But Mr. Bush did have a few choice comments about it, that California campaign, at a press briefing earlier today at his Texas ranch.
Our White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux was there on the ranch and joins us now from Crawford with the details -- hello.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, John. As you know, President Bush is going to be traveling to California in the next couple of days. And it is quite clear that they want to stay out of the political fray.

White House aides who I spoke to said quite frankly they're just waiting for the circus atmosphere to die down. It is very unclear whether or not it would be advantageous at all for Mr. Bush to get involved with this. The president is going to be highlighting the need for security and talking about the war with Iraq when he visits Marines and their families. He's also going to be stressing the environment when he goes to a national park.

But I have to say, John, that the president just could not resist when he was pushed just a little bit to talk about this recall race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He would be a good governor, as would others running for governor of California. And like you, I'm most interested in seeing how the process evolves. It's a fascinating bit of political drama involving in the country's largest state.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So the president trying to appear as neutral as possible. Difficult, as you know. They have a relationship with Schwarzenegger, but also I should let you know that I just spoke to Chief of Staff Andy Card. He was asked about this as well. He said the White House has not gotten involve with the recall effort nor has it been asked to do so.

When asked about Gray Davis and his role, just whether or not he thought he would do well in this, he was asked specifically whether or not he was running against the economy. As you know, Davis saying it wouldn't be his fault. California wouldn't be in this jam if the national economy was in better shape. Well, Card saying to me -- he said, "I think Gray Davis is running against a lot of things and he is running against a tidal wave" -- ouch. But President Bush seemed quite sensitive earlier today when asked about whether or not it was hard not to get involved in one of the most political stories in the country while he took issue with that characterization.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Oh, I think there may be other political stories. Isn't there like a presidential race coming up? Maybe that says something. You know, it speaks volumes, if you know what I mean.

But, yes, it's an interesting story, it really is. And I'm looking forward, like you are, to see the outcome of the interesting story.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So John, of course the president a little bit sensitive about being perhaps being upstaged by Arnold, but nevertheless he is going to be in California the next couple of days. And it is not expected that he's going to campaign for Arnold, nor will the two individuals meet up with each other -- John.

KING: Suzanne Malveaux in Crawford, Texas. I do suspect the president would prefer we cover California than give more time to the Democrats.

MALVEAUX: Yes.

KING: Thank you, Suzanne.

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 August 13, 2003 - 15:13   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: The Bush White House has been trying to be quite careful about the California elections, preferring instead to focus on the president's national agenda. But Mr. Bush did have a few choice comments about it, that California campaign, at a press briefing earlier today at his Texas ranch.
Our White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux was there on the ranch and joins us now from Crawford with the details -- hello.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, John. As you know, President Bush is going to be traveling to California in the next couple of days. And it is quite clear that they want to stay out of the political fray.

White House aides who I spoke to said quite frankly they're just waiting for the circus atmosphere to die down. It is very unclear whether or not it would be advantageous at all for Mr. Bush to get involved with this. The president is going to be highlighting the need for security and talking about the war with Iraq when he visits Marines and their families. He's also going to be stressing the environment when he goes to a national park.

But I have to say, John, that the president just could not resist when he was pushed just a little bit to talk about this recall race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: He would be a good governor, as would others running for governor of California. And like you, I'm most interested in seeing how the process evolves. It's a fascinating bit of political drama involving in the country's largest state.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So the president trying to appear as neutral as possible. Difficult, as you know. They have a relationship with Schwarzenegger, but also I should let you know that I just spoke to Chief of Staff Andy Card. He was asked about this as well. He said the White House has not gotten involve with the recall effort nor has it been asked to do so.

When asked about Gray Davis and his role, just whether or not he thought he would do well in this, he was asked specifically whether or not he was running against the economy. As you know, Davis saying it wouldn't be his fault. California wouldn't be in this jam if the national economy was in better shape. Well, Card saying to me -- he said, "I think Gray Davis is running against a lot of things and he is running against a tidal wave" -- ouch. But President Bush seemed quite sensitive earlier today when asked about whether or not it was hard not to get involved in one of the most political stories in the country while he took issue with that characterization.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Oh, I think there may be other political stories. Isn't there like a presidential race coming up? Maybe that says something. You know, it speaks volumes, if you know what I mean.

But, yes, it's an interesting story, it really is. And I'm looking forward, like you are, to see the outcome of the interesting story.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: So John, of course the president a little bit sensitive about being perhaps being upstaged by Arnold, but nevertheless he is going to be in California the next couple of days. And it is not expected that he's going to campaign for Arnold, nor will the two individuals meet up with each other -- John.

KING: Suzanne Malveaux in Crawford, Texas. I do suspect the president would prefer we cover California than give more time to the Democrats.

MALVEAUX: Yes.

KING: Thank you, Suzanne.

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