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American Morning
Democrats Accusing Republicans of Exploiting September 11 Attacks for Political Advantage
Aired May 15, 2002 - 07:02 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: Up front this morning, Democrats are fuming accusing Republicans of exploiting the September 11 attacks for political advantage. It is all about a picture, a picture of the president on September 11 that was prominently featured at last night's record-setting Republican fundraising event, the president on the phone with the vice president here in Air Force One. Republicans are waking up with more than $30 million in their campaign chest and a political hangover.
Joining us now with more on the photo flat is CNN's Kelly Wallace at the White House. Boy, the president is taking it from everywhere on this one this morning, even think tanks that are described as completely nonpartisan -- good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula -- exactly. Independent observers saying this is really, really inappropriate. Democrats for their part saying this is -- quote -- "Nothing short of grotesque." But White House officials firing back, saying that Democrats simply can't handle the fact that this president is very, very popular in the United States.
As you have been saying, Paula, really at issue is the photograph, the photograph of President Bush taken aboard Air Force One talking to Vice President Cheney just a few hours after the September 11 attacks. Republicans are offering this photo, along with two others, to any donors who contribute at least $150 to the Republican Party.
Well, Democrats quickly accused the Republicans of exploiting the tragedy for political gain, and even as you were saying, former Vice President Al Gore weighing in, calling the move disgraceful.
He went on to say, and we have a quote -- he said, "While most pictures are worth 1,000 words, a photo that seeks to capitalize on one of the most tragic moments in our nation's history is worth only one. And the vice president continuing on to say that he believes that the families of those who lost loved ones on September 11 certainly would not be condoning this.
Now, as for the president though, he and his aides are not objecting, Paula, as you said, the president raising a record $30 million at a huge Republican National Committee gala last night. White House aides say they were aware that the Republican campaign committees wanted to use photographs of the president, although they did not know which photographs the Republicans would be using. They say this is all fair game.
The photographs show the president doing his job, but again, Ari Fleischer, the president's spokesman, when asked about the criticism yesterday, he said Democrats really can't handle the fact that this president has a near-record approval rating in the United States.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECY.: I think the Democrats are having a very difficult time coming to grips with the fact that this is a very popular president. And I think that what they do is they take some of the items that lend themselves to the president's popularity, and they to lash out without any solid basis about it. And that's Washington, and that's just not the way the president does his business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And of course, Paula, Republicans were saying Democrats had their fundraising flaps. They were criticizing the Clinton White House for coffers and overnight stays at the Lincoln Bedroom to raise money. Democrats say -- they all say this is completely different and say it's inappropriate to use the 9/11 tragedy to raise money for the GOP -- Paula.
ZAHN: But the fact remains, Kelly, they are going to continue to use these photos, right? And for a minimum donation of $150, you get the photo and then you also get to attend a fundraising a little bit later on this spring?
WALLACE: Exactly. The Republican Committee said they are going to go with those photos. You have a photograph from 9/11. You also have a photograph of the State of the Union address and the inaugural and also to attend a fundraiser with the president and the first lady next month. They say it's fair game, and they'll continue to use the photograph -- Paula.
ZAHN: All right. Kelly Wallace, thanks for the latest from the White House this morning.
WALLACE: Sure.
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