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American Morning

Bush Delivers Commencement Address at U.S. Naval Academy

Aired May 25, 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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, defection or not from his party, President Bush had a previous engagement to keep. He was scheduled to give the commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy today at Annapolis. And that indeed he did do. Our Kelly Wallace is on the road with the president -- Kelly, good morning.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, while the White House prepares to deal with this new political landscape, President Bush, as you mentioned, is putting the spotlight on the military, as his administration continues to conduct what it is calling a top-to-bottom review of the military's mission and its weapons.

The president not delving into any specifics in his address today, but he did say that changing the military will not be easy, that it will require research and development. And that is why it is very important to get started now.

Now, at this very moment, you can hear lots of cheers. That is because the president is presenting diplomas to the 902 new graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy, 752 men, 150 women. These will be the new officers in the Navy and the Marine Corps.

In his speech, the president tried to boost the morale for these new officers, saying changing the military won't just require changing weapons. It will require innovation and creative thinking and rewarding risk taking.

The president also saying these officers will face a dangerous world and new threats. And that is why it is important to have a new approach for the military in the 21st century.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We must build forces that draw upon the revolutionary advances in the technology of war. That will allow us to keep the peace by redefining war on our terms. I'm committed to building a future force that is defined less by size and more by mobility and swiftness, one that is easier to deploy and sustain, one that relies more heavily on stealth, precision weaponry, and information technology.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: And that review is being carried out by the president's defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, Mr. Rumsfeld appearing on Capitol Hill over the past several days trying to reassure lawmakers and those in the military brass that he will consult with them, and that this review will be slow and deliberative process.

Daryn, one side note, the president giving these graduates a small graduation present. And keeping with presidential tradition, he absolved them of any demerits they face, any minor conduct offenses, the president leaving it to the Naval Academy to determine what minor is, Daryn.

KAGAN: Could have used a couple of those when I graduated college. That's a story for a different date.

Kelly, getting back to the president and his plans for the military, he might have to revamp what those plans are, that review and some other wishes he has like missile defense, now that the balance of power is changing in the Senate, and the Armed Service Committee will be headed by Carl Levin, Democrat from Michigan.

WALLACE: Absolutely. And it's been noted the new chairman, soon-to-be chairman, of the Senate Armed Services Committee, one of the biggest skeptics for the president's national defense plans, also Senate minority leader, now soon-to-be Majority Leader Tom Daschle has also expressed concerns, as has the soon-to-be new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph Biden, all somewhat skeptical that such a plan will not work, that it will cost too much, that it will fuel an international arms race, and definitely be a concern to allies such as Russia and other European allies. So, again, the president had a big task ahead convincing lawmakers, even bigger task ahead now with this change in power in the Senate, Daryn.

KAGAN: Kelly Wallace in Annapolis, Maryland, thank you.

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