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CNN Saturday Morning News

White House Computer Disk Stirs Controversy

Aired June 15, 2002 - 07:54   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: A controversy is brewing between Democrats and Republicans over a detailed computer presentation on the White House outlook for the G.O.P.

A computer disk containing the presentation was apparently found in Lafayette Park.

Our Senior White House correspondent John King explains what's included in that presentation.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The presentation, not so private any more, offers an inside look at how the White House used the political landscape for this year's mid-term elections. And how it hopes to use the president's time and popularity to help Republicans.

In the first part of the presentation, the White House political director, Ken Mehlman, makes the point that in his view Republicans have much more to worry about.

This slide suggests there are 25 House Republicans who are vulnerable. They're highlighted here in blue on the map. Now, that compares in the White House's view, to only ten vulnerable Democratic House incumbents. They are highlighted by the red dots you see here.

Now, one goal of this presentation is to motivate Republican activists and fund-raisers. And this slide makes note of the fact that groups that tend to support the Democrats; like unions, abortion- rights activists, and gun control advocates spent more than $125 million back in campaign 2000.

In his part of the presentation, top Bush political adviser Karl Rove makes the case that the president's political standing is critical to Republican chances come November.

This slide shows that in mid-term elections, the president's party loses, on average, 41 House seats if the president's job approval rating drops below 50 percent. The traditional mid-term House losses are far more modest, just five seats on average -- if the president's approval rating tops 60 percent. A luxury Mr. Bush enjoys at the moment. Now, Rove in his strategy briefing recommends that Republicans focus on the war on terrorism and the economy; that they promote issues like education and welfare. And, that they accuse the Democrats of obstructing the president's agenda.

And, as he promises that Mr. Bush will aggressively campaign and raise money to help the party this fall, Rove suggests that there's no evidence that Mr. bush is being hurt politically either by Democratic efforts to highlight the White House ties to the now-bankrupt energy giant Enron, by the state of the economy, or by his recent increase in political campaigning and fund raising.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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