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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush Announces Exercise Initiative

Aired June 22, 2002 - 07:59   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: About 30 minutes from now, President Bush will take on his White House staff for a three-mile run. It's part of a fitness campaign Mr. Bush hopes will rub off on Americans nationwide. CNN's Kelly Wallace laces up and tells us the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We know he's a fitness-crazed president, running almost daily, under seven minutes a mile, according to well-placed sources. What we did not know: the commander-in-chief has rubbed off on his staff.

Meet the women some senior staffers have dubbed "The Dixie Chicks." They drop their White House responsibilities three times a week, in the middle of the day, to run, flex, and pump up. Their inspiration? Their boss.

NICOLLE DEVENISH, DIRECTOR OF MEDIA AFFAIRS: It is remarkable to work for someone who is supportive of your leaving in the middle of the day to go work out. It's extraordinary when that person is the president of the United States.

WALLACE: After all, this is the president who frequently works out in between meetings plotting war strategy and speeches touting his domestic priorities.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Exercise is part of my daily life. It kind of helps me deal with the stress a little better. After I get a good running, I even like the press corps a lot better.

WALLACE: The president on the South Lawn encouraging all Americans to exercise; even top advisers are listening.

KAREN HUGHES, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: Middle-aged women at the White House trying to make a commitment to exercise (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

WALLACE: "You are never too old to exercise," Mr. Bush said to seniors in Florida. The president all tiled here, but aides say he has been intensely working out behind the scenes, hoping to reach the finish line Saturday ahead of his staff he helped whip into shape.

DEVENISH: I'm not sure how many people here can keep up with him, but I've heard that people are encouraged to run their fastest.

WALLACE: He is the most physically fit president in recent years, an exerciser in chief who hopes not only to influence his staff, but the 50 percent of Americans, including some reporters, who don't work out at all.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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