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CNN Live Event/Special

Bush Speaks About Colonoscopy

Aired June 28, 2002 - 15:55   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.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... take precautionary measures for their health and that people should be screened on a regular basis, particularly those of us over 50. And tomorrow I'm going to have a colonoscopy at Camp David. It is the third such procedure I've had.

The doctor have recommended I have another one because the last time they found some benign polyps. And so this is, kind of, a routine physical examination that will be done at Camp David.

I'm going to be sedated for a period of time and will transfer power to the vice president during that time. And I look forward to exercising tomorrow afternoon after the procedure takes places.

QUESTION: Sir (OFF-MIKE) how long it's going to be, sir?

BUSH: Well, you know, the last time I did this it wasn't very long. I mean the definition of long -- the docs will be briefing here pretty soon. But, you know, it should take too long to get it done.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: No, not at all. I feel great. It's just a part of the ongoing, you know -- it's a, kind of, part of the annual physical. And so I decided to do it this time -- it fit in with my schedule. And I feel great. No signs, no symptoms.

The last time we did one of these colonoscopies they found benign polyps and they recommended that I -- I think it was two years ago -- and just recommended they take another look and see if there's anything in there.

QUESTION: Should we read anything into the fact that you are going to transfer power, that it's the length and time of this?

BUSH: No, not all. It's just that I made the decision. We looked at the precedent. I'm the first president to have done so under this type of procedure and/or physical examination. I did so because we're at war. And I just want to, you know, be super cautious. And I informed the vice president of this. And he's fully prepared to -- he's standing by. He realizes that he's not going to be president that long. (LAUGHTER)

QUESTION: Is he back in Washington, sir?

BUSH: Yes, he is.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: Well, the time is -- you know, I really don't want to put out a time. I hope you understand why. It's a...

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: I'm not sure where he'll be. I need to find out where he's going to be.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: Let's see, not really. Well, my brother -- I had a brother who had colitis. And so there's some history there.

I do recommend and urge that people take -- you know, get these precautionary tests and take a look. I had my first scope, as we say in the business, I think maybe five or six years ago; they discovered polyps for the first time. And it gets your attention a little bit. Fortunately, they were benign.

I think it's important to continue to get good checkups, and this is what this is about. Anyway I'm glad to be able to share that with you.

Thank you all very much

JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush at the White House on his way to Camp David, telling reporters that he will undergo a routine procedure tomorrow at Camp David, a colonoscopy. This is a procedure that is done to look for colon cancer.

And the president said, because he is going to be, for a while, under anesthesia, he is going to transfer power to the vice president.

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