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American Morning

Senators: Bush Unconvincing on Iraq Attack

Aired September 04, 2002 - 09:30   ET

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

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Democrats and even a few Republicans say President Bush is yet to make a convincing case for attacking Iraq. They are promising to press the president at the White House meeting that starts moments from now.
Kate Snow is standing by from the Capitol to let us know what members of Congress might hear.

Good morning -- Kate.

KATE SNOW, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Paula.

The leaders of both the House and Senate Democrats and Republicans, as well as three key committees, headed over to the White House this morning.

Senators just returned from their August recess yesterday, coming back with a lot of questions, several senators telling me that they felt like out in the real world, outside of Washington, Iraq is what is on everyone's mind. So they are bringing up these questions today.

Senator Larry Craig, a Republican, a strong supporter of President Bush, has said he would not vote for resolution at this point for some kind of military action against Iraq because he is not convinced, as you mentioned, Paula, both Republicans and Democrats saying they need more evidence from the administration. They are hoping to get that this morning.

Majority Leader Tom Daschle talked about question that he wants answered.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MAJORITY LEADER: What information do you have specifically that would lead us to take any action today. What is it that is triggering this newfound determination to move forward, even unilaterally, if we choose that course?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Daschle may get some answers at a closed-door briefing later this afternoon from Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He is coming up here to brief senators in a confidential briefing.

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott meantime, he used to be saying that he didn't think that consultation with Congress was necessary from the White House on Iraq. He is now saying that while he still doesn't think it is necessary, it might be the right course of action.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TRENT LOTT (R-MS), MINORITY LEADER: I expected something specific would be asked of Congress before, you know, an avert action would occur, barring an emergency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: Both Daschle and Lott made reference to the apparent split in the administration, Daschle joking, Paula, that maybe they should have a debate among members of the administration, maybe that would enlighten Congress. And Lott was asked is the administration being clear enough with their message. He said, Give me a couple of days before I answer that -- Paula.

ZAHN: But isn't it also true, as John King reported a little bit earlier this morning, if you were to take a vote of Congress today to grant, let's say, an immediate authorization to attack Iraq, that would probably come if the question is just what the vote split might be?

SNOW: It depends on who you ask. I know John has talked to some lawmakers; I have talked to some others. I just talked to a senator a short time ago who said, No, I don't think necessarily we approve it right now because of all this skepticism. That was a Democrat who said that.

So hard to predict, but I think you can clearly state that if the administration works on this for awhile and makes its case, the feeling is that then Congress will be fully willing to at least give it more attention and possibly grant that kind of permission.

ZAHN: Thanks so much, Kate. Appreciate it.

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