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CNN Sunday Morning
Bush Calls for New Energy Bill
Aired August 17, 2003 - 09:03 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.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: And while experts get closer to the answer of what happened, many others want to know who is responsible for the aging infrastructure and how can it be prevented from happening again. With more on the political wrangling that has come out of the blackout, we new head to Crawford, Texas, and CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.
Good morning, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Sean.
Well, as you know, the Bush administration realizes it can't keep tens of millions of voters in the dark about just what happened here, the cause of the blackout and who is responsible. That question, of course, Republicans and Democrats seizing on it, giving their own spin to this. And, of course, in Washington, the finger pointing has already begun.
The Republicans are blaming Democrats, saying that they've blocked Mr. Bush's energy plan that calls for provisions for overhauling the electric system. And Democrats, on the other hand, say that the legislation will not pass as long as it includes these controversial plans for oil drilling, most notably in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And also, another debate that is playing out, which administration is responsible?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D), NEW MEXICO: We've been warning for years. I went around the country staying these blackout are going to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, obviously the debate continues. And just to let you know, Sean, this will be plague out all morning. We're expecting to hear from the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham, on a number of the political talk shows, as well as the former energy secretary, Richardson, as well as a host, a slew of congressmen who are all going to be putting their spin on this. And, of course, when they come back from recess, this is going to be one of the top priorities on their agenda -- Sean.
CALLEBS: Suzanne, without question, we looked down and the energy secretary is going to be on a number of shows, as you mentioned. To what degree do you think the Bush administration is going to take a very proactive stance on this now?
MALVEAUX: Well, they're going to take a very proactive stance on this, but it's not going to be an immediate stance. They are really trying to take a look at all of the situation here.
The task force is going to be particularly important. This is one that they have joined with Canada. And also, we understand that the secretary is going to be meeting with his counterpart on Wednesday in Detroit for that first meeting. They're going to put all of the facts together and figure out just what has happened. And then, of course, put forward a bold initiative, a plan that they believe will be in the best light for the Republican Party.
CALLEBS: OK. Suzanne Malveaux with the president in Crawford, Texas. Thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired August 17, 2003 - 09:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN ANCHOR: And while experts get closer to the answer of what happened, many others want to know who is responsible for the aging infrastructure and how can it be prevented from happening again. With more on the political wrangling that has come out of the blackout, we new head to Crawford, Texas, and CNN's Suzanne Malveaux.
Good morning, Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Sean.
Well, as you know, the Bush administration realizes it can't keep tens of millions of voters in the dark about just what happened here, the cause of the blackout and who is responsible. That question, of course, Republicans and Democrats seizing on it, giving their own spin to this. And, of course, in Washington, the finger pointing has already begun.
The Republicans are blaming Democrats, saying that they've blocked Mr. Bush's energy plan that calls for provisions for overhauling the electric system. And Democrats, on the other hand, say that the legislation will not pass as long as it includes these controversial plans for oil drilling, most notably in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. And also, another debate that is playing out, which administration is responsible?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D), NEW MEXICO: We've been warning for years. I went around the country staying these blackout are going to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: So, obviously the debate continues. And just to let you know, Sean, this will be plague out all morning. We're expecting to hear from the energy secretary, Spencer Abraham, on a number of the political talk shows, as well as the former energy secretary, Richardson, as well as a host, a slew of congressmen who are all going to be putting their spin on this. And, of course, when they come back from recess, this is going to be one of the top priorities on their agenda -- Sean.
CALLEBS: Suzanne, without question, we looked down and the energy secretary is going to be on a number of shows, as you mentioned. To what degree do you think the Bush administration is going to take a very proactive stance on this now?
MALVEAUX: Well, they're going to take a very proactive stance on this, but it's not going to be an immediate stance. They are really trying to take a look at all of the situation here.
The task force is going to be particularly important. This is one that they have joined with Canada. And also, we understand that the secretary is going to be meeting with his counterpart on Wednesday in Detroit for that first meeting. They're going to put all of the facts together and figure out just what has happened. And then, of course, put forward a bold initiative, a plan that they believe will be in the best light for the Republican Party.
CALLEBS: OK. Suzanne Malveaux with the president in Crawford, Texas. Thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
