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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush to Begin Month-Long Vacation

Aired August 04, 2001 - 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.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: On President Bush's schedule this morning is a medical check, after which the president will be heading to his Texas ranch for a month long R&R. And this also marks six months in office for Mr. Bush.

CNN's Kelly Wallace now joins us from the White House with the latest on the medical checkup this morning -- good morning, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Brian.

President Bush left the White House about a half hour ago and he will not be coming back here until Labor Day. And as you noted, the first stop for the president, Bethesda Naval Hospital for the first official physical of his presidency. Aides say the president feels he is in excellent health and so everyone expects a very positive checkup. This president works out regularly.

In fact, he runs on the treadmill at the White House or on the track here about three to four times a week. His physical fitness has even earned him the praise of some of his opponents, some Democratic law makers. One said I would not want to arm wrestle this president.

Well, there was no arm wrestling yesterday, just lots of smiles and pats on the back, as President Bush gathered with members of his cabinet to tout the administration's achievements in the first six months in office, the president noting some of those achievements, including progress on tax cuts and energy policy and education reform. He also hinted of one possible strategy when it comes to dealing with the Democratically controlled Senate in the fall.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In September, the second stage of our work begins and I will be guided by a few goals. First, we must finish the work we have begun. On the topics of education and the disadvantaged, our nation has needs that will not wait. Americans, come September, will be watching. They want us to be principled, not partisan. They want us to look for agreement instead of looking for fights and arguments. Americans know obstructionism when they see it, and when necessary, I will point it out.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WALLACE: But to that, Senate Democrats say this president has not really been bipartisan. They say he has had success in the Republican controlled House of Representatives. But they say he can't really claim true victory until he works out compromises with the Democrats in the Senate.

Well, with all that being said, things are going to get a little quiet here in Washington, Brian, as law makers head home for their August recess and, as we noted, President Bush heading to Crawford, Texas to his ranch following that physical. He will be there for the month. Aides say he will be doing some fishing, some running, and he will be taking a couple of side trips over the next couple of weeks -- Brian.

NELSON: Well, I understand the president can't wait to get out there and jog around his ranch. But is it all play and no business?

WALLACE: No. Actually, White House aides are making it very clear that this will be a working vacation, that the president will be getting his daily national security briefings. Also, as we noted, he will be going on the road at least once or twice a week to tout issues such as education, homeless, homes for the homeless and prescription drug coverage for seniors, sort of laying out the agenda before law makers come back in the fall.

But, we also want to say lots of R&R, and as we noted, the president likes to run, Brian. He told some law makers, apparently, earlier this week, that is was 98 degrees in Crawford and he was looking forward to running in that heat.

NELSON: Well, good luck to him.

Thank you, Kelly. CNN's Kelly Wallace from Washington.

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