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CNN Sunday Morning
Bush Orders State Senator to Get a Dog
Aired September 14, 2003 - 09:52 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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, old-time newspapermen say you can't go wrong if you put pets or tots on the front page. And so are we. We're going to wind up this hour with a story about some children, a puppy, and the president.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Reporter Deborah Feldman tells us about some kids who pursued a pet all the way to Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DINO ROSSI (R), STATE SENATOR, WASHINGTON: You like this?
GIRL: Yes.
DEBORAH FELDMAN, KING-TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): State Senator Dino Rossi's four children have it pretty good, a big yard to play in and always a sibling available to play with. But for months, the children argued that having a pet dog would make life just that much better.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like them running around and, like, jumping, and doing tricks.
FELDMAN: The only obstacle between them and man's best friend, their dad, who felt they have to prove their ready for one.
ROSSI: They want to show they're responsible enough to take care of a dog.
FELDMAN: So Rossi gave them a challenge he wasn't too worried about them accomplishing any time soon.
ROSSI: I said you're going to have to earn this dog. The only way you're going to get a dog is if George W. himself tells me I need to get a dog.
FELDMAN: But on a family trip to Washington, D.C. in July, oldest daughter Julianna managed to slip a letter through to the president when her politician pop got the family a tour of the west wing. It began, dear Mr. President.
JULIANNA ROSSI, DAUGHTER OF DINO ROSSI: I was just wondering if you could take two minutes out of your busy schedule to call my dad and tell him to get us a dog.
FELDMAN: On Friday, a letter. Handwritten by our nation's 43rd president, himself a happy dog owner, arrived at the offices in Olympia, addressed to Julianna.
J. ROSSI: I agree that dogs are good friends, I love Spot and Barney, so please tell your dad I think you should have a dog. Best wishes, George W. Bush.
FELDMAN: Each Rossi child likes different breeds and sizes. But as this republican tells us, the process will be completed, and in only the most democratic of manners.
D. ROSSI: A deal is a deal. Looks like we're getting a dog.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Got to love a dad who keeps his word. Once again, that was Deborah Feldman of affiliate KING, or King TV, reporting.
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 September 14, 2003 - 09:52 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, old-time newspapermen say you can't go wrong if you put pets or tots on the front page. And so are we. We're going to wind up this hour with a story about some children, a puppy, and the president.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Reporter Deborah Feldman tells us about some kids who pursued a pet all the way to Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DINO ROSSI (R), STATE SENATOR, WASHINGTON: You like this?
GIRL: Yes.
DEBORAH FELDMAN, KING-TV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): State Senator Dino Rossi's four children have it pretty good, a big yard to play in and always a sibling available to play with. But for months, the children argued that having a pet dog would make life just that much better.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like them running around and, like, jumping, and doing tricks.
FELDMAN: The only obstacle between them and man's best friend, their dad, who felt they have to prove their ready for one.
ROSSI: They want to show they're responsible enough to take care of a dog.
FELDMAN: So Rossi gave them a challenge he wasn't too worried about them accomplishing any time soon.
ROSSI: I said you're going to have to earn this dog. The only way you're going to get a dog is if George W. himself tells me I need to get a dog.
FELDMAN: But on a family trip to Washington, D.C. in July, oldest daughter Julianna managed to slip a letter through to the president when her politician pop got the family a tour of the west wing. It began, dear Mr. President.
JULIANNA ROSSI, DAUGHTER OF DINO ROSSI: I was just wondering if you could take two minutes out of your busy schedule to call my dad and tell him to get us a dog.
FELDMAN: On Friday, a letter. Handwritten by our nation's 43rd president, himself a happy dog owner, arrived at the offices in Olympia, addressed to Julianna.
J. ROSSI: I agree that dogs are good friends, I love Spot and Barney, so please tell your dad I think you should have a dog. Best wishes, George W. Bush.
FELDMAN: Each Rossi child likes different breeds and sizes. But as this republican tells us, the process will be completed, and in only the most democratic of manners.
D. ROSSI: A deal is a deal. Looks like we're getting a dog.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Got to love a dad who keeps his word. Once again, that was Deborah Feldman of affiliate KING, or King TV, reporting.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
