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American Morning

Bush Headlines Fund-raiser For His Brother

Aired January 09, 2002 - 09:35   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush is going to do something tonight he hasn't done since this country was attacked by terrorists four months ago. He is going to headline a fund-raiser, not for himself, however, but for his brother Jeb, of course, the governor of Florida.

Let's turn to CNN White House Correspondent Kelly Wallace, who joins us now from outside the White House. So Kelly, is the White House concerned about any potential fallout from the president doing this for his brother?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, we asked a White House spokeswoman about this, about the president returning to political fund-raising now for the first time since September 11th, and the spokeswoman saying the president has always said that he is going to be actively supporting candidates who share his goals and priorities, and that Governor Jeb Bush is one of those.

Still, though, very significant, and you see the president with Governor Jeb Bush. That during the presidential campaign when Jeb Bush was helping his brother become the president.

This event significant because again, the first time the commander in chief returning to the political fund-raising circuit to help Jeb Bush, who is running for reelection. All ready, four Democrats planning to challenge him, including former Attorney General Janet Reno. No word on how much money will be raised tonight, but the president's remarks will be open for coverage, meaning reporters will be able to see and hear those remarks, and again, it marks another step by this White House to get more involved in this 2002 election year.

We saw the president yesterday getting a little involved in politics as well during his three-state victory tour for his education plan. One of the states he stopped in, New Hampshire, he met behind closed doors with Republican contributors. No fund-raising, we are told, there, but again, another step by the president to get the Republican party juiced up.

The president is going to be traveling quite a bit, Paula, over the weeks ahead, talking about his agenda, education and the economy, with two goals in mind: Trying to push his agenda, trying to press Congress to pass his goals, but also to help his party. We know, of course, control of the House and the Senate up for grabs in November -- Paula.

ZAHN: All right, Kelly, I want to turn you now to some news coming out of the vice president's office. Vice President Cheney's office admitting yesterday -- or admitting is too sinister of a word, confirming, in fact, that some members of the administration actually met with Enron officials. In fact, one meeting actually taking place within days of Enron's announcement that it was filing for bankruptcy.

Any more information on that, and the impact of that announcement?

WALLACE: Well, this coming from Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman of California has really been pressing this White House to turn over information about its contacts with Enron. Waxman had sent a letter to the White House a couple of days after Enron announced its bankruptcy asking for more information, and so the White House, the vice president's council, sending Waxman a letter a day after the new year, talking about these meetings, for the first time revealing there were six meetings that took place.

One between the vice president and Kenneth Lay, the chairman and the chief executive officer of Enron, and then five other meetings involving Energy Department task force, or, rather, Energy Task Force officials with Enron.

The big message coming from the White House, Paula, is that these meetings were about energy policy and never about Enron's financial position or situation, but Waxman is not satisfied. He said that he is glad the White House has announced that there were these meetings, but it wants much more information about what was discussed, the White House feels that it has been fully providing the information that Waxman needs, and hopes it can put an end to this inquiry (ph), but again, Waxman says he wants more information, and will continue to press the vice president's office for that info.

ZAHN: All right. We know you will do just that. Thanks so much, Kelly Wallace.

WALLACE: Okay.

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