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American Morning

Bush Hosting Forum on U.S. Economy

Aired August 13, 2002 - 07:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: While the stock market is jittery, the economy uncertain, and the midterm election now up for grabs, President Bush is convening a diverse group of about 240 economic advisers and average Americans this morning in Waco, Texas.
Our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, covering the economic forum at Baylor University -- a live report now.

Suzanne -- good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, the economic summit is really a chance for the president and the administration to show they are engaged with Americans' concerns over the volatile stock market, as well as the sluggish economy, a chance to talk about the president's economic agenda. We are told he's not only going to talk about the strengths, but also the weaknesses as well.

There are going to be more than 240 participants, including the president, the vice president, eight Cabinet members, and literally a who's who of CEOs in the country, but also we expect to hear from farmers, truckers and housewives. This is all going to start about 9:00 local time.

There will be eight discussion groups. We are told the president is going to try to stop by in three or four of those discussion groups.

Now, Democrats, who have not been invited to the forum, are criticizing this, saying this is nothing more than a public relations stunt, pointing to the fact that many of the participants are big-time Republican donors. But the White House is dismissing this -- Bill.

HEMMER: Suzanne Malveaux this morning in Texas, thank you.

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