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President Bush Has Key Lawmakers Over to White House, Looking at Bipartisan Bill
Aired September 08, 2004 - 10:21 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We've been listening in to Senator John Kerry. He is addressing a crowd in Cincinnati, Ohio, making the case that he believes that President Bush made the wrong decision to go to war. Being critical of that decision, saying now it's time to lead America in a new direction. Not only being critical of the decision, but Senator Kerry saying things like, it's not one thing he would have done differently in dealing with Iraq, it's everything he would have done differently.
On the opposite side, President Bush and the Bush administration have been very critical of Senator Kerry, saying that he is flip- flopping on his support or lack of support for the war. Pointing out the senator did vote for authorization for the president to go to war in Iraq in that vote in the Senate back in October 2002.
Fifty-five days left in this election, as Senator Kerry salutes the crowd there in Cincinnati. Interesting that he chose Cincinnati to make this speech. This is the same place where President Bush, just about two years ago addressed a crowd to make his case for going to war back in 2002. Also, Ohio a key battle ground state; and if there's any question of that, look at Senator Kerry's travel schedule. This is the sixth time in the last seven days that Senator Kerry has been in the state of Ohio.
We're going to have much more from the campaign trail ahead, also more on President Bush. And speaking of President Bush, Congress is considering intelligence reform. President Bush had key lawmakers over to the White House this morning, looking at this bipartisan bill.
Elaine Quijano joins us with that story and more on the president's day. It's a full one, indeed.
Elaine, good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. It certainly is. First, talking at Senator Kerry's issues with Iraq and the way that he says he would have done everything differently.
Even before Senator Kerry spoke, President Bush here at the White House making statements on Iraq, basically reiterating his position that America is at war. The war on terror is going on. And that Americans who are serving overseas are serving a "great cause. In his words, "the cause of liberty." He says that the U.S. will honor the memories of those who have fallen, by completing their mission. And the president going on to say that ultimately America will prevail because, quote, "Liberty changes countries. Liberty promotes peace." But as you've said, the president here this morning meeting with top congressional leaders on the issue of the September 11 Commission's recommendations. Outlining which reforms the president would like to see passed by Congress and just how quickly those reforms should be implemented. Now, the president said in his comments during that meeting that he is committed to the idea of creating a National Director of Intelligence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I will be submitting a plan to the Congress that strengthens intelligence reform, strengthens intelligence services. We believe that there ought to be a National Intelligence Director who has full budgetary authority. We will talk to the members of Congress about how to implement that. I look forward to working with the members to get a bill to my desk as quickly as possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: And Daryn, the key phrase out that is the idea of "full budgetary authority." What does what mean? Well, at this point a senior administration official is telling CNN that the president is prepared to overrule objections from the Pentagon and the CIA, and support giving a new NID broad powers over the entire intelligence budget, which is now divided among some 15 government agencies.
You'll recall that is exactly what the September 11 Commission had envisioned in talking about the role that an NID would have. The commission feeling very strongly that in order for that person in that position to be effective, that full budgetary authority was what was necessary in order to carry out his or her duties. Now, this official is telling -- says that Bush told congressional leaders today that he will support, quote, "a single appropriation for the entire intelligence budget directed at the NID level."
And as you know, Daryn, the president has been under a tremendous amount of pressure from notably Senator John Kerry, who has said that he would not have taken so long to move on the issue of intelligence reforms. Noting it had been has been almost three years since the September 11 attacks.
Meantime just a short time ago, President Bush left the White House. He will be surveying the hurricane damage left behind by Hurricane Frances. The president on his way there. He will look at a couple of different areas. First, we understand he will be in Ft. Pierce where he'll take a look at some of the ongoing relief efforts. And then he'll move on to Miami, specifically to the National Hurricane Center, where he's expected to thank workers there. And at the same time, get an update on Hurricane Ivan.
Of course, while it is still very early yet, Ivan could eventually threaten the United States. And Florida, by the way, where his brother, Jeb is governor and he will be meeting up with later today. Florida, of course, a crucial state, some 27 electoral votes up for grabs there -- Daryn. KAGAN: Elaine, let's get back to the news about the National Intelligence Director. Those three little words where he says a "full budgetary authority." Those are words that you haven't really heard the president talking about when talking about this new position. The White House has been very vague in terms of what that would entail. So that's definitely is a step forward for people who would like to see 9/11 Commission recommendations put in place.
QUIJANO: Absolutely. And the context of all of this is that the Pentagon controls much of the intelligence budget. And the idea is that when this recommendation came out about full budgetary authority being given to the NID, that the commission -- the September 11 Commission said this is what will be necessary, the thought was that there would be a tremendous amount of turf wars taking place on capitol hill. That people would be coming up to the Hill to try and make their case of why they needed to retain control.
Well, this is a way to simplify the process. To uncomplicated, if you will, what could have been a very complicated process down road. This is a president who wants to be seen as being very decisive, as moving quickly. And keeping in mind those criticisms coming out of the Kerry camp that he did not act quickly enough to implement these reforms -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you.
Our Ed Henry is on the campaign trail with Senator Kerry. We're going to check in with him in Cincinnati, Ohio in just a bit. Right now, good time for a break. We're back right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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 8, 2004 - 10:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We've been listening in to Senator John Kerry. He is addressing a crowd in Cincinnati, Ohio, making the case that he believes that President Bush made the wrong decision to go to war. Being critical of that decision, saying now it's time to lead America in a new direction. Not only being critical of the decision, but Senator Kerry saying things like, it's not one thing he would have done differently in dealing with Iraq, it's everything he would have done differently.
On the opposite side, President Bush and the Bush administration have been very critical of Senator Kerry, saying that he is flip- flopping on his support or lack of support for the war. Pointing out the senator did vote for authorization for the president to go to war in Iraq in that vote in the Senate back in October 2002.
Fifty-five days left in this election, as Senator Kerry salutes the crowd there in Cincinnati. Interesting that he chose Cincinnati to make this speech. This is the same place where President Bush, just about two years ago addressed a crowd to make his case for going to war back in 2002. Also, Ohio a key battle ground state; and if there's any question of that, look at Senator Kerry's travel schedule. This is the sixth time in the last seven days that Senator Kerry has been in the state of Ohio.
We're going to have much more from the campaign trail ahead, also more on President Bush. And speaking of President Bush, Congress is considering intelligence reform. President Bush had key lawmakers over to the White House this morning, looking at this bipartisan bill.
Elaine Quijano joins us with that story and more on the president's day. It's a full one, indeed.
Elaine, good morning.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. It certainly is. First, talking at Senator Kerry's issues with Iraq and the way that he says he would have done everything differently.
Even before Senator Kerry spoke, President Bush here at the White House making statements on Iraq, basically reiterating his position that America is at war. The war on terror is going on. And that Americans who are serving overseas are serving a "great cause. In his words, "the cause of liberty." He says that the U.S. will honor the memories of those who have fallen, by completing their mission. And the president going on to say that ultimately America will prevail because, quote, "Liberty changes countries. Liberty promotes peace." But as you've said, the president here this morning meeting with top congressional leaders on the issue of the September 11 Commission's recommendations. Outlining which reforms the president would like to see passed by Congress and just how quickly those reforms should be implemented. Now, the president said in his comments during that meeting that he is committed to the idea of creating a National Director of Intelligence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I will be submitting a plan to the Congress that strengthens intelligence reform, strengthens intelligence services. We believe that there ought to be a National Intelligence Director who has full budgetary authority. We will talk to the members of Congress about how to implement that. I look forward to working with the members to get a bill to my desk as quickly as possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: And Daryn, the key phrase out that is the idea of "full budgetary authority." What does what mean? Well, at this point a senior administration official is telling CNN that the president is prepared to overrule objections from the Pentagon and the CIA, and support giving a new NID broad powers over the entire intelligence budget, which is now divided among some 15 government agencies.
You'll recall that is exactly what the September 11 Commission had envisioned in talking about the role that an NID would have. The commission feeling very strongly that in order for that person in that position to be effective, that full budgetary authority was what was necessary in order to carry out his or her duties. Now, this official is telling -- says that Bush told congressional leaders today that he will support, quote, "a single appropriation for the entire intelligence budget directed at the NID level."
And as you know, Daryn, the president has been under a tremendous amount of pressure from notably Senator John Kerry, who has said that he would not have taken so long to move on the issue of intelligence reforms. Noting it had been has been almost three years since the September 11 attacks.
Meantime just a short time ago, President Bush left the White House. He will be surveying the hurricane damage left behind by Hurricane Frances. The president on his way there. He will look at a couple of different areas. First, we understand he will be in Ft. Pierce where he'll take a look at some of the ongoing relief efforts. And then he'll move on to Miami, specifically to the National Hurricane Center, where he's expected to thank workers there. And at the same time, get an update on Hurricane Ivan.
Of course, while it is still very early yet, Ivan could eventually threaten the United States. And Florida, by the way, where his brother, Jeb is governor and he will be meeting up with later today. Florida, of course, a crucial state, some 27 electoral votes up for grabs there -- Daryn. KAGAN: Elaine, let's get back to the news about the National Intelligence Director. Those three little words where he says a "full budgetary authority." Those are words that you haven't really heard the president talking about when talking about this new position. The White House has been very vague in terms of what that would entail. So that's definitely is a step forward for people who would like to see 9/11 Commission recommendations put in place.
QUIJANO: Absolutely. And the context of all of this is that the Pentagon controls much of the intelligence budget. And the idea is that when this recommendation came out about full budgetary authority being given to the NID, that the commission -- the September 11 Commission said this is what will be necessary, the thought was that there would be a tremendous amount of turf wars taking place on capitol hill. That people would be coming up to the Hill to try and make their case of why they needed to retain control.
Well, this is a way to simplify the process. To uncomplicated, if you will, what could have been a very complicated process down road. This is a president who wants to be seen as being very decisive, as moving quickly. And keeping in mind those criticisms coming out of the Kerry camp that he did not act quickly enough to implement these reforms -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you.
Our Ed Henry is on the campaign trail with Senator Kerry. We're going to check in with him in Cincinnati, Ohio in just a bit. Right now, good time for a break. We're back right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
