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CNN Live Sunday

President Bush Follows Miners' Rescue in Pennsylvania

Aired July 28, 2002 - 18:22   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The president is among those following the Pennsylvania mine rescue and its aftermath. White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us now with Mr. Bush's reaction. And boy, he has to be pretty pleased, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: He certainly was pleased, Carol. In fact, he was asked a little earlier on the golf course if he had a message for the families of the miners. He said no, not right now, but he did speak out earlier through a spokesman. A spokesman telling us the president was thrilled when he learned the news early this morning from his chief of staff, Andy Card, that all of the miners were rescued safely, that they had been reunited with their families and that they were doing fine.

The president, in fact, spoke yesterday with Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker. The two, though, have not connected yet today. The governor praising the president and the administration for providing equipment and moral support. And Carol, White House officials really hailing this as, quote, "a wonderful example of federal, state and local officials working together cooperatively" to conduct the rescue operation -- Carol.

LIN: Also today, Kelly, we've been hearing from the president's economic team, trying to reassure Americans that the economy is doing well.

WALLACE: Trying to reassure Americans, Carol, and also answering some criticism. You know, the president's economic team has received a lot of criticism for keeping a low profile while the markets take on a very rocky ride. And the person receiving most of that criticism, Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE (voice-over): Criticized for being in Central Asia as the U.S. stock market started to dive, Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill hits the Sunday talk shows, rejecting any suggestion he could be doing more to calm the markets.

PAUL O'NEILL, TREASURY SECRETARY: I don't think one individual can say words that will cause the market to go one direction or another for any sustained period of time.

WALLACE: The embattled treasury secretary laughs off questions about whether he might resign. He has been the target of critics, who believe President Bush has a strong national security team, but argue it's a different story when it comes to his economic advisers.

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D), CONNECTICUT: I think that the Bush administration is suffering from an economic leadership deficit.

WALLACE: The White House dismisses that criticism, calling it "the typical Washington blame game." But hoping to change perceptions, the president's team fanned out this weekend. All were on message.

O'NEILL: The economic fundamentals of our society are good.

LAWRENCE LINDSEY, WHITE HOUSE ECONOMIC ADVISER: The long-term for America is fabulous.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The economy is doing well.

WALLACE: The Bush strategy to boost consumer confidence, talk up the industry and talk tough about corporate wrongdoers. Like calling attention to the highly publicized arrest last week of Adelphia Communications executives and warning other corporate leaders could suffer the same fate.

LINDSEY: When people break the law, they have to face the consequences.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: White House advisers hope that message, combined with the president signing into law this week a new tough corporate accountability bill, will calm jittery investors, well aware if these and other steps don't boost consumer confidence, the president's party could be hurt the most in the November congressional elections -- Carol.

LIN: Thank you very much. Kelly Wallace live at the White House.

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