Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

President Bush Celebrates 55th Birthday

Aired July 06, 2001 - 10:51   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: President Bush is celebrating his 55th birthday today. He is also on vacation at the family home in Kennebunkport, Maine. He began the day with golf.

Our White House correspondent Kelly Wallace has the tough gig of hanging out in one of the most beautiful places in America -- Kelly, good for you!

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Very tough duty, Daryn.

I think I scored with this assignment. Well, the president, this weekend really mostly about rest and relaxation, although Mr. Bush did say that he would be squeezing in a little bit of work. He said he would be talking to Russian President Vladimir Putin. We expect that phone call to take place just moments from now, really, the president saying this is part of their ongoing efforts to establish a good relationship, although he did say issues such as Iraq and the fighting in Macedonia will likely come up.

Now, as for that golf game, in keeping with the Bush family tradition, we know how long they played, two hours and 15 minutes, but we don't know the score. Although the Bush family did seem to be in good spirits, the president, the former president and Mr. Bush's brother-in-law hit the links at about 7:00 A.M. this morning, Mr. Bush wearing a cap with the number 43 on it. He said this was a gift from his father, the former president. Mr. Bush, of course, the 43rd president of the United States, and the former president was also wearing a cap. His, though, had the number 41 on it. Again, the president seemed to be in a very good mood and he told reporters he would be getting what he wanted for his birthday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm going to get what I want for my birthday, to spend time with family, a couple of good phone calls from some little girls down in Texas.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Did they already call you?

BUSH: No. It's a little early. Remember they're 19.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: Now, the president and the first lady arrived at the family compound known as Walker's Point Thursday afternoon. This is Mr. Bush's first visit back here since the presidential campaign when he came in June of 2000 to celebrate his mother's 75th birthday. Now, while Bush Sr. used to vacation here quite a bit while he was in the White House, the younger Bush seems to prefer his Texas ranch for some rest and relaxation, although aides say the president considers Kennebunkport a special place, a special part of his family. And, Daryn, as for the agenda of this day, the president says he hopes to regain the family championship in horseshoes. He also said he might do some fishing and he also said he might take a jog -- Daryn, back to you.

KAGAN: Sounds like a busy day, indeed. Kelly Wallace in Kennebunkport, Maine, thank you very much.

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