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American Morning

Bush Prepares to Return to Normal Agenda

Aired April 12, 2001 - 11:08   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The U.S.-China standoff was the first big test for the Bush administration. CNN's Major Garrett joins us now from the White House, where no doubt there have been quite a few smiles since yesterday -- Major, good morning.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Probably a few smiles and probably behind the scenes a few high fives in the air. But publicly, Leon, the president and his top advisers say, "You know, we never thought this was a crisis. We never treated it as a crisis. We treated it as a serious event.

"The president did focus, was engaged a lot. But we always knew at some point this would resolve itself. And we are glad it resolved itself. It took a little bit longer than we would have preferred."

But it did resolve itself, most advisers say, without any long- due harm to U.S.-China relationship. And it's back on to the president's schedule, business as usual.

In a few moments, the president will entertain several leaders in education to talk about parental empowerment. He will be introduced by Floyd Plank, who is an African American, a former member of Congress, and a powerful advocate for school choice, which is very high on the president's agenda when it comes to education.

We are told by White House officials that the president is likely to take note of the fact that the 24-member crew is soon to arrive in Hawaii, also probably express his pleasure at that. And we're told also that at some point today, the president is expected to make a telephone call welcoming that crew to Hawaii, also expecting to get a photo of that. A still photographer will be allowed in to take a picture of the president on the White House phone making that call, Leon.

HARRIS: All right. Thanks much, Major. We'll get back to you in a bit. So stay tuned. Stand by there. Folks, you stay tuned. We will have live coverage of that event Mr. Bush is going to be at in just a moment. Expect it to begin sometime fairly soon. So make sure you stand by because we expect he will have some comments to make.

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