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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush, Democrats Disagree Over Economic Stimulus

Aired December 01, 2001 - 09:20   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: President Bush continuing his sparring with congressional Democrats over an economic stimulus package, and it's just one of several items that are on his domestic agenda.

Mr. Bush is at the presidential retreat in Maryland, and CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is also stationed there. Good morning to you, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Marty.

Well, you know, Marty, it was just a couple months ago when there was lots of talk about bipartisanship in the nation's capital. Well, you can definitely say that that bipartisan spirit giving way to a bit of the blame game when it comes to the economy.

We certainly have seen Democrats stepping up their attacks on President Bush, who, as you noted, is at the presidential retreat. He left the White House yesterday afternoon. Democrats blaming the president's trillion-dollar tax cut for the return to deficits.

But Democrats also walking a bit of a delicate balancing act, because, number one, they don't want to appear to be criticizing the president's campaign against terrorism while they are criticizing his handling of the economy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DASCHLE: I think that the president has done admirably in his war on terrorism. We strongly support his efforts in Afghanistan. And we think that he deserves high marks. We have a very significant difference of opinion with him on the economy, economic policy. And I wouldn't give him high marks with regard to the economy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And in the latest development, Democrats planning their first political television ads next month criticizing the president and Republicans for their economic policies. Well, Republicans say these ads are, quote, "poorly timed and shameful." The White House, for its part, is basically trying to take the higher ground, accusing Democrats of returning to politics as usual, saying Mr. Bush will not be joining in that fight. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARI FLEISCHER, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The president believes that the job of leaders in Washington is to come here to solve problems and not point fingers, and that's what he is here to do, and that's what he's going to continue to do, and that's why he again today calls on the Senate to complete action so that the nation can have a stimulus bill to give a boost to the economy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And both sides definitely stepping up the pressure on the other over this measure to give a boost to the economy, a package of tax cuts and maybe some more federal spending. Republicans say if no economic stimulus package is passed by the Congress, it will be the fault of the Democrats. Democrats, though, say the Republican plan is too generous to corporations and the wealthy, and they are accusing Republicans of not being willing to negotiate when it comes to more federal spending for the unemployed and to improve homeland security.

And on the backdrop of all of this, Marty, the president heading to oversee a battle of a different sort, this one on the football field. The president will leave the presidential retreat a short time from now and head to Philadelphia for the annual Army-Navy game, but, Marty, the president, the commander in chief, definitely making it clear he is not picking favorites. He will spend part of the game on the side rooting for Army, the other part of the game on the side rooting for Navy.

That's the latest. Back to you, Marty.

SAVIDGE: Kelly, I would think the president doesn't have to take this criticism from the Democrats too severely. I mean, his approval rating is up in the upper 80s.

WALLACE: Absolutely. And the White House very, very aware of that fact, definitely knows that the president has tremendous support, but very much -- a lot of that support, certainly, for the campaign against terrorism. This White House well aware of what happened to President Bush's father. That, the former president's handling of the economy, many appear to say, was part of the reason why he was not reelected as president.

So this administration definitely trying to have the president at all times saying he's concerned about those people out of work, that he is doing what it takes to get the economy moving again. But obviously they're heartened by those approval numbers. But if the economy continues to slip, they know the president could take some of the blame, Marty.

SAVIDGE: Well, interesting point. Kelly Wallace, joining us from near Camp David this morning, thanks very much.

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