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American Morning

Protesters Angered by Bush's Forest Initiative

Aired August 23, 2002 - 07:28   ET

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

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to get to the White House right now, where President Bush leaves Oregon later today and heads to California for a full day of fund raising there.
On the White House lawn today, Suzanne Malveaux with more on that -- Suzanne, good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Bill.

President Bush is taking his domestic agenda on tour, but not everybody is happy with what they're hearing. It was yesterday several hundred protesters gathered in Portland, Oregon outside the hotel where Mr. Bush was attending a fund raiser, much of them protesting the forest protection initiative that he announced earlier in the day. Others protesting the administration's policy towards Iraq, a possible attack.

Things got tense when riot police ordered those protesters to move on and then fired pepper spray into the crowd. There were five that were arrested. The president, of course, was never in any danger. It should be noted that there were also dozens of Bush supporters who lined along the president's route.

Now, the latest CNN/"USA Today" poll shows today that Mr. Bush's approval rate is dropping from a few months ago. It is now at 65 percent. In July, it was 71 percent. In June, it was 76 percent.

Now, the White House dismisses poll numbers, saying that they are proud of their agenda. President Bush later traveling to California for some politicking and some fund raising -- Bill.

HEMMER: Suzanne, thanks.

You'll watch it, I'm sure, on the front lawn this morning.

Thank you much.

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