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Pres. Bush Talks Jobs, Economy in Ohio

Aired September 01, 2003 - 14:17   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 used the traditional start of the political campaign season to make an appearance before labor union members in Ohio. The speech comes at a time when unemployment stands at 6.2 percent and 9 million people are looking for work.
We get more on the president this Labor Day from CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.

Hi, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Kyra.

President Bush is back at the White House. He returned within the last hour or so after a brief visit to Richfield, Ohio. That is where he addressed union workers, really to highlight his economic agenda but also to stress the administration's effort in creating jobs. Administration officials recognize that this is really critical to the president's re-election, that this is the top issue on voters' mind. We're talking about 9 million Americans who are unemployed on this Labor Day. This is a 6.2 unemployment rate. President Bush really using the holiday here to stress the positive economic indicators. Also to ask the American people to be patient. He says that his tax cut program, the benefits package that was passed, is going into effect, of course, and that given time that, of course, they will see the results.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I come with an optimistic message. I believe there are better days ahead for people who are working and looking for work. Economic output is rising faster than expected. Low interest rates mean that families can save billions by refinancing their homes. I bet some of you have refinanced your homes. Put a little extra money in your pocket. Consumer spending is on the rise. Companies are seeing more orders, especially orders for heavy equipment. Things are getting better. But there's some things we've got to do to make sure the economy continues to grow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And some of the things the president is talking about in his agenda, of course, is to create more jobs. But, also, to control lawsuits as well as to restrain government spending to establish a free trade agreements overseas, as well as pass a comprehensive energy bill. That he's really pushing hard for Congress to do in the weeks to come.

Should also let you know, of course, there are some Democrats and some economists who are criticizing the president's economic agenda. One person in particular, the Congressman Brown from the area that the president went to visit, the 13th District in Ohio, says that there are 60 percent more Ohio residents who are unemployed than when Bush first took office. That is a statistic that is daunting.

The Bush administration recognizes that, of course, it has to do more work to create more jobs. The president simply saying today for Americans to be patient -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, 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 September 1, 2003 - 14:17   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 used the traditional start of the political campaign season to make an appearance before labor union members in Ohio. The speech comes at a time when unemployment stands at 6.2 percent and 9 million people are looking for work.
We get more on the president this Labor Day from CNN White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux.

Hi, Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi, Kyra.

President Bush is back at the White House. He returned within the last hour or so after a brief visit to Richfield, Ohio. That is where he addressed union workers, really to highlight his economic agenda but also to stress the administration's effort in creating jobs. Administration officials recognize that this is really critical to the president's re-election, that this is the top issue on voters' mind. We're talking about 9 million Americans who are unemployed on this Labor Day. This is a 6.2 unemployment rate. President Bush really using the holiday here to stress the positive economic indicators. Also to ask the American people to be patient. He says that his tax cut program, the benefits package that was passed, is going into effect, of course, and that given time that, of course, they will see the results.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I come with an optimistic message. I believe there are better days ahead for people who are working and looking for work. Economic output is rising faster than expected. Low interest rates mean that families can save billions by refinancing their homes. I bet some of you have refinanced your homes. Put a little extra money in your pocket. Consumer spending is on the rise. Companies are seeing more orders, especially orders for heavy equipment. Things are getting better. But there's some things we've got to do to make sure the economy continues to grow.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: And some of the things the president is talking about in his agenda, of course, is to create more jobs. But, also, to control lawsuits as well as to restrain government spending to establish a free trade agreements overseas, as well as pass a comprehensive energy bill. That he's really pushing hard for Congress to do in the weeks to come.

Should also let you know, of course, there are some Democrats and some economists who are criticizing the president's economic agenda. One person in particular, the Congressman Brown from the area that the president went to visit, the 13th District in Ohio, says that there are 60 percent more Ohio residents who are unemployed than when Bush first took office. That is a statistic that is daunting.

The Bush administration recognizes that, of course, it has to do more work to create more jobs. The president simply saying today for Americans to be patient -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Suzanne Malveaux, 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