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CNN Saturday Morning News

President Attempts to Recast Self As in Touch With Everyday People

Aired July 07, 2001 - 09:05   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.
PHILLIPS: President Bush has aged in office. He turned 55 yesterday and is with his family this weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine.

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is live to tell us maybe about the celebration. Were you invited, Kelly?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I was not invited, Kyra, and we might have to take that up with the White House press office.

But, you know, you would think President Bush might sleep in the day after his 55th birthday. Well, not so with this birthday boy. Mr. Bush and his father, the former president, as well as brother Jeb, the governor of Florida, were out on the golf course around 6:30 this morning. The president refused to reveal what he wished for when he blew out the candles on his birthday cake last night, but he did say that he likes it in Maine, and he enjoys getting out of Washington.

But he also said, "The amazing thing about the job is that it seems to follow you around." Well, also following the president around, an approval rating that has been slipping since the spring, and big challenges with Democrats in control of the Senate. That is why the White House is in the midst of a new PR campaign, a retooling of the president's image and message.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): This trip is really about R&R, but perhaps another attempt to recast the president, faced with sagging poll numbers, as someone who is relaxed and not out of touch with everyday Americans.

That is why this week Mr. Bush greeted tourists at the Jefferson Memorial and played touch football with kids in Philadelphia. White House aides called this "a recalibration of the president's image and their strategy."

Some Republicans say Mr. Bush's handling of the environment and energy policy has not been a public relations success.

MARSHALL WITTMAN, HUDSON INSTITUTE: The major concern of this administration is that the president is being perceived as a corporate conservative rather than a compassionate one. WALLACE: To correct that, Bush advisers expect the president to focus on three, quote, "compassionate issues" this summer, his faith- based agenda, his plan for a patients' bill of rights, and education. But his ideas may not have enough support from moderates to ensure victory. Still, analysts say the president needs to mount more of an offensive.

STU ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: The president, I think, needs to somehow regain control of the agenda, which he has lost. The Democrats are deciding what issues are coming up, and the president is having react -- having to react to that, and he's not great reacting.

WALLACE: But some Republican strategists say the administration is going through what every White House experiences at the six-month mark, when the honeymoon comes to an end.

KEN DUBERSTEIN, FORMER REAGAN CHIEF OF STAFF: Well, you're living together, and so you've gotten over, Oh, isn't everything wonderful? to, How do we make this whole thing work?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: But the focus right now for the president really is about a vacation and resting and relaxing. After some golf, the president likely will maybe do some boating and some fishing. And Kyra, maybe play some horseshoes. He told us yesterday he was going to try to reclaim the family championship -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, you're definitely in a beautiful place. Kelly Wallace, thanks so much.

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