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CNN Saturday Morning News

Politicians Rate Bush's First 100 Days in Office

Aired April 28, 2001 - 09:08   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, President Bush marks his first 100 days in office tomorrow, and that benchmark is giving the administration, as well as others, a chance to rate the president's performance.

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Crawford, Texas, this morning. Kelly, great to see you.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, great to see you too.

Well, it's "pretty darn good" -- that's how President Bush described his start in an interview with CNN earlier this week. The White House believes the president has been able to lay the foundation for his domestic agenda, but, not surprisingly, Democrats have a different perspective. They are accusing the president of taking the "It's my way or the highway" approach.

Well, in honor of the president's first 100 days, the administration is releasing a series of photographs, including this one, the first time the president entered the Oval Office. Standing by his side you'll recognize his father, the former President Bush.

The White House also pointing out this photograph, the president meeting with Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy, the White House saying the president has been reaching out to Democrats and inviting a number, a record number of Democratic lawmakers to the White House in his early days.

One other thing the administration's quite pleased about, the president's start when it comes to international policy, including his handling of the standoff with Beijing, and his focus on the Western Hemisphere, including his first international trip to Mexico and his meeting with Mexican President Vicente Fox.

But before celebrating his first 100 days, the president returns to his political roots, traveling yesterday to Austin. The occasion was the dedication ceremony for a new history museum named after the president's friend and political ally, the late Democratic lieutenant governor, Bob Bullock (ph). Mr. Bush has long pointed to his relationship with Bullock as a sign of how he can work with both parties. The president telling the audience that he has taken that approach to Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the last 97 days, I've done my best to take the values I learned here in Texas to the debates in Washington. And there's a way yet to go, but I think we're making some progress. The tone is more civil, the respect is more widespread. I think Bob Bullock would be pleased.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Well, Democrats give the president high marks for his first 30 days, but they give him rather low marks for the last 70, accusing him of an unwillingness to compromise and negotiate. Well, to that, the White House says the president will continue reaching out to Democrats. In fact, he has invited all Democrats and Republicans, all members of the U.S. Congress, to the White House for lunch on Monday. The president wanting to celebrate the first 100 days of his presidency and the U.S. Congress.

Again, though, the big question is just how many Democrats will show up for that lunch.

Kyra, back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, Kelly, thanks so much.

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