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CNN Sunday Morning

Nation's Governors Visit Washington

Aired February 22, 2004 - 08:06   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.


MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The nation's governors are in Washington seeking some answers from President Bush. On their agenda, proposed budget cuts, health care, and the education overhaul.
Kathleen Koch live at the White House with details on that.

Good morning to you, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Martin.

And this is a sharply partisan group, many whose citizens are hurting form high unemployment, a lack of affordable health care, and a drop in federal funding for states. So President Bush here at the White House tonight is hosting a state dinner for this, perhaps, tough audience. They are in town for their annual winter meeting, the National Governors Association. Saturday, Democrats and Republicans, the governors, they held dueling press conferences, both presenting conflicting viewpoints on the job President Bush is doing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. THOMAS VILSACK (D), IOWA: I will tell you that as a group, Democratic governors are becoming more cynical and more skeptical about the economic and fiscal policies of the Bush administration. In large part, because of the recent mishaps, mistakes and misrepresentations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. BOB TAFT (R), OHIO: The president has provided strong leadership in tough times of change. Exceedingly difficult economic and international circumstances. He's leading a successful war against terrorism. And he's leading our nation back to economic prosperity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: President Bush has taken a lot of fire from governors this year, both Republican and Democrat. Many of them insist that the administration is simply pushing too many unfunded mandates. Some cite the No Child Left Behind Act on states, states whose coffers have been simply drained by the poor economy.

Now, President Bush has also invited the governors to come here to the White House in the morning for a discussion with he and with cabinet matters. One Democratic governor, New Mexico's Bill Richardson, who of course worked for President Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, says that that discussion will be respectful but contentious -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Kathleen, I wanted to ask you about how the family is reacting. We know that Spot, the White House dog, passed away. And the loss of any pet is felt by many, many families across the nation.

KOCH: Quite so. And this is a pet that has spent a long time here at the White House. We're talking again about Spot, the English Springer Spaniel, who was born here at the White House back in 1989 to then President George Bush and first lady Barbara's dog Millie.

Apparently, Spot had been having a number of strokes recently and had to be put to sleep. The White House released a statement saying, "Spot was a beloved member of the Bush family for nearly 15 years and she will be missed." Now, the Bushes still do have another dog named Barney. He is a Scottish Terrier, and I'm happy to report he is very active and in very good health.

SAVIDGE: That's good to hear. Kathleen Koch, at the White House. Thank you 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 February 22, 2004 - 08:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: The nation's governors are in Washington seeking some answers from President Bush. On their agenda, proposed budget cuts, health care, and the education overhaul.
Kathleen Koch live at the White House with details on that.

Good morning to you, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Martin.

And this is a sharply partisan group, many whose citizens are hurting form high unemployment, a lack of affordable health care, and a drop in federal funding for states. So President Bush here at the White House tonight is hosting a state dinner for this, perhaps, tough audience. They are in town for their annual winter meeting, the National Governors Association. Saturday, Democrats and Republicans, the governors, they held dueling press conferences, both presenting conflicting viewpoints on the job President Bush is doing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. THOMAS VILSACK (D), IOWA: I will tell you that as a group, Democratic governors are becoming more cynical and more skeptical about the economic and fiscal policies of the Bush administration. In large part, because of the recent mishaps, mistakes and misrepresentations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. BOB TAFT (R), OHIO: The president has provided strong leadership in tough times of change. Exceedingly difficult economic and international circumstances. He's leading a successful war against terrorism. And he's leading our nation back to economic prosperity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: President Bush has taken a lot of fire from governors this year, both Republican and Democrat. Many of them insist that the administration is simply pushing too many unfunded mandates. Some cite the No Child Left Behind Act on states, states whose coffers have been simply drained by the poor economy.

Now, President Bush has also invited the governors to come here to the White House in the morning for a discussion with he and with cabinet matters. One Democratic governor, New Mexico's Bill Richardson, who of course worked for President Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, says that that discussion will be respectful but contentious -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Kathleen, I wanted to ask you about how the family is reacting. We know that Spot, the White House dog, passed away. And the loss of any pet is felt by many, many families across the nation.

KOCH: Quite so. And this is a pet that has spent a long time here at the White House. We're talking again about Spot, the English Springer Spaniel, who was born here at the White House back in 1989 to then President George Bush and first lady Barbara's dog Millie.

Apparently, Spot had been having a number of strokes recently and had to be put to sleep. The White House released a statement saying, "Spot was a beloved member of the Bush family for nearly 15 years and she will be missed." Now, the Bushes still do have another dog named Barney. He is a Scottish Terrier, and I'm happy to report he is very active and in very good health.

SAVIDGE: That's good to hear. Kathleen Koch, at the White House. Thank you 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