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CNN Live Sunday
Bush to Address Nation
Aired September 07, 2003 - 16:00 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The political stakes are high for President Bush as he goes on television to address the nation this evening. CNN White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, joins us now with more on that. Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, Mr. Bush really facing a critical juncture in his presidency here. He is dealing with questions and criticism about his ability to handle economy as well as bringing Israelis and Palestinians back to the road map to peace. And, of course, turning the situation around inside of Iraq. That is going to be the focus of the president's speech to the nation this evening, that the president went over that speech earlier today. He is currently playing t-ball.
But we are told that he went through, he practiced once, that he will go through it once again this evening before he delivers it. Democratic as well as Republican lawmakers quietly called on the president to bring forward his vision to the American people about Iraq. This comes at a critical time when the administration is trying to broaden its international support for the reconstruction inside of the country.
Also at a time when he is going to be asking Congress for additional funding. This is Secretary Powell from earlier today giving a preview of the president's speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: It is in the interest of the world and it is certainly the goal of the United States to turn sovereignty back to the Iraqi people for their country and for their destiny as quickly as possible. President has said this all along. He will reaffirm that tonight. Tonight he'll say we're going after terrorists. We are going to create the security needed in Iraq. We are going to encourage more nations to join us in this effort, and he will also say that there are challenges ahead and there will be - there will be fiscal requirements and he will talk about the need for supplemental funding.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, the secretary didn't give us a dollar figure, but Republican sources on the Hill are saying that that's probably going to be about $65 billion for the reconstruction effort for next year. Senator Ted Kennedy and many others today came out saying, of course, do not expect them to write a blank check for all of this. It is very unclear whether or not the president is going to get that type of support. But, of course, they're waiting to hear for the president's argument and more importantly, for the specifics.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. TED KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: We need a plan. We haven't got a plan. The administration is proceeding day by day. It's a makeshift operation over there. One day it's this plan, it's another day another plan. And the people that are suffering are the American servicemen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And, Fred, the last time the president went before the American people formerly was when he went aboard that aircraft carrier when he was talking about Iraq. It was under a banner that said 'mission accomplished'. It is going to be a much different message this evening. Fred?
WHITFIELD: All right. Suzanne from the White House, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 7, 2003 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: The political stakes are high for President Bush as he goes on television to address the nation this evening. CNN White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, joins us now with more on that. Suzanne?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, Mr. Bush really facing a critical juncture in his presidency here. He is dealing with questions and criticism about his ability to handle economy as well as bringing Israelis and Palestinians back to the road map to peace. And, of course, turning the situation around inside of Iraq. That is going to be the focus of the president's speech to the nation this evening, that the president went over that speech earlier today. He is currently playing t-ball.
But we are told that he went through, he practiced once, that he will go through it once again this evening before he delivers it. Democratic as well as Republican lawmakers quietly called on the president to bring forward his vision to the American people about Iraq. This comes at a critical time when the administration is trying to broaden its international support for the reconstruction inside of the country.
Also at a time when he is going to be asking Congress for additional funding. This is Secretary Powell from earlier today giving a preview of the president's speech.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: It is in the interest of the world and it is certainly the goal of the United States to turn sovereignty back to the Iraqi people for their country and for their destiny as quickly as possible. President has said this all along. He will reaffirm that tonight. Tonight he'll say we're going after terrorists. We are going to create the security needed in Iraq. We are going to encourage more nations to join us in this effort, and he will also say that there are challenges ahead and there will be - there will be fiscal requirements and he will talk about the need for supplemental funding.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: Now, the secretary didn't give us a dollar figure, but Republican sources on the Hill are saying that that's probably going to be about $65 billion for the reconstruction effort for next year. Senator Ted Kennedy and many others today came out saying, of course, do not expect them to write a blank check for all of this. It is very unclear whether or not the president is going to get that type of support. But, of course, they're waiting to hear for the president's argument and more importantly, for the specifics.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. TED KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: We need a plan. We haven't got a plan. The administration is proceeding day by day. It's a makeshift operation over there. One day it's this plan, it's another day another plan. And the people that are suffering are the American servicemen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MALVEAUX: And, Fred, the last time the president went before the American people formerly was when he went aboard that aircraft carrier when he was talking about Iraq. It was under a banner that said 'mission accomplished'. It is going to be a much different message this evening. Fred?
WHITFIELD: All right. Suzanne from the White House, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
