>>
Gary Walker: JUST AHEAD ON "NEED TO KNOW," HE TOOK OFFICE 83
DAYS AGO AND GEORGE W. BUSH HAS BEEN A BUSY MAN EVER SINCE,
FROM HIS NATIONAL BUDGET PROPOSAL TO HANDLING AN INTERNATIONAL
INCIDENT WITH CHINA. WE LOOK AT PRESIDENT BUSH'S FIRST DAYS
IN OFFICE WITH POLITICAL ANALYST CURT SMITH AND POLITICAL REPORTER
MICHAEL CAPUTO OF "THE DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE." THAT'S ALL COMING
UP NEXT ON "NEED TO KNOW."
>>
IT'S A BUDGET THAT PROTECTS TAXPAYERS, PROTECTS CHILDREN, PROTECTS
OUR SURPLUS.
>> THIS IS "NEED TO KNOW," THE ROCHESTER AREA'S ONLY IN-DEPTH
NEWS PROGRAM. "NEED TO KNOW" IS A PRODUCTION OF WXXI NEWS AND
PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COVERING ISSUES, POLITICS, EDUCATION AND CURRENT
EVENTS.
>>
"NEED TO KNOW" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE DAISY MARQUIS JONES FOUNDATION,
BY DORSCHEL LEXUS, AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
>>
Gary Walker: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. IT'S A TIME-HONORED TRADITION
IN THIS COUNTRY THAT FOLKS LIKE US TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW PRESIDENT'S
FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE. WELL, WE'RE A BIT EARLY, BUT SOMEBODY
HAS GOT TO BE FIRST. PRESIDENT BUSH WAS SWORN IN AS THE 43rd
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON JANUARY 20th. AS RECENTLY
AS THIS WEEK, THE PRESIDENT CONTINUED TO PUSH FORWARD THIS FIRST
MAJOR LEGISLATIVE ACT OF HIS PRESIDENCY. Mr. BUSH SENT THE FULL
DETAILS OF HIS $1.96 TRILLION BUDGET TO CONGRESS, PROMISING
TO RESTRAIN WHAT HE CALLS EXCESSIVE GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING.
HIS PLANNED BUDGET CUTS MAKE ROOM FOR A $1.7 TRILLION TAX CUT
OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS. THE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO KEPT A KEEN
EYE ON THE DEVELOPMENTS INVOLVING CHINA AND THE 24 U.S. SERVICE
PEOPLE STILL BEING DETAINED ON HAINAN ISLAND FOLLOWING A MIDAIR
COLLISION NEARLY TWO WEEKS AGO. WHILE THE PRESIDENT HAS HAD
HIS FOCUS ON THE BUDGET PROPOSAL AND CHINA, HE'S ALSO HAD SOME
CONCERNS WITH HIS IMAGE AS WELL. AFTEREFFECTS OF ELECTION 2000
LINGER. ON THE PLUS SIDE, A RECENT "NEW YORK TIMES"/CBS NEWS
POLL SHOWED 60% OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC APPROVING OF THE JOB
HE'S DOING. HOWEVER, ONLY HALF OF THE AMERICANS SURVEYED NOW
ACCEPT BUSH AS A LEGITIMATE PRESIDENT, AND THREE-QUARTERS OF
BLACK AMERICANS DO NOT. FURTHER, AMERICANS QUESTION WHO'S REALLY
IN CHARGE. HALF OF THE PUBLIC SURVEYED SAID Mr. BUSH IS NOT
REALLY IN CHARGE OF HIS OWN ADMINISTRATION. BUSH HAS RECEIVED
A LUKEWARM RESPONSE TO HIS FIRST MAJOR LEGISLATIVE ACT, WITH
REPORTS THAT MOST AMERICANS VIEW HIS PROPOSED $1.7 BILLION TAX
CUT AS FAVORING THE RICH AND DOING LITTLE TO HELP MIDDLE-INCOME
AMERICANS OR TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY. JOINING ME NOW TO DISCUSS
THE FIRST DAYS OF THE BUSH PRESIDENCY ARE CURT SMITH, A SENIOR
LECTURER IN ENGLISH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER. HE'S HOST
OF "PERFECTLY CLEAR," A WEEKLY POLITICAL ROUND TABLE, AND CURT
WAS A SPEECH WRITER IN THE GEORGE BUSH, Sr. WHITE HOUSE. AND
MICHAEL CAPUTO, POLITICAL REPORTER FOR "THE DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE."
THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING ME. AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, PRESIDENT
BUSH SENT HIS PROPOSED BUDGET TO CONGRESS THIS WEEK. AT A RECENT
PRESS CONFERENCE, Mr. BUSH SAID HIS PLAN WORKS HARD FOR EVERYONE.
>>
IT'S A BUDGET THAT SETS PRIORITIES. IT'S A BUDGET THAT RECOGNIZES
THERE ARE SOME GOOD PROGRAMS HERE IN WASHINGTON THAT NEED TO
BE FUNDED: CHILD CARE, WE HELP CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS ARE IN
PRISON WITH A $67 MILLION MENTORING PROGRAM. IT ELIMINATES THOUSANDS
OF ONETIME EARMARKED PROJECTS.
>>
Gary Walker: OKAY. THAT WAS PRESIDENT BUSH TALKING A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT HIS PROPOSED BUDGET, AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE TWO TRACKS
HERE, GENTLEMEN, AND ACTUALLY WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE
POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF EVERYTHING THAT'S COME IN THE FIRST
100 DAYS OR SO OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION BUT ALSO THE POLICY
EFFECTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTING REAL-LIFE AMERICANS.
BUT LET'S GET STARTED BY JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE, AS POLITICAL
ANALYSTS WE ALL LIKE TO DO: THE FIRST 100 DAYS OR SO OF THE
BUSH ADMINISTRATION, WHAT DO YOU THINK? CURT -- WELL, WE'LL
GO TO MIKE INSTEAD OF CURT --
>> ALPHABETICALLY.
>>
THERE YOU GO. IT CERTAINLY WASN'T LIKE THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF
BILL CLINTON, WHO STRUGGLED WITH WESTGATE IN THE MILITARY, STRUGGLED
WITH THE NANNYGATE, GOT OFF -- HE FLOPPED THE FIRST TWO STEPS
OR THREE STEPS OF THAT ADMINISTRATION. I THINK GEORGE BUSH HAS
SHOWN THAT HE CAN REMAIN FOCUSED EVEN IF THINGS SWIRL ABOUT
HIM. HE KEPT ON THE TAX CUT FOR THE FIRST MONTH, AND I THINK
HE'S SHOWN A BETTER FOCUS THAN I THINK BILL CLINTON DID IN HIS
FIRST 100 DAYS, IF YOU WANT TO CONTRAST.
>>
YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT 100 DAYS EVER
SINCE FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT WHO, OF COURSE, LIKE A BLITZKRIEG IN
EFFECT CASCADED WASHINGTON IN THE NADIR OF THE DEPRESSION IN
1933, SO I GUESS WE'LL BE FORGIVEN IF WE'RE 17 DAYS AHEAD. WE
DON'T WANT TO PEEK TOO SOON, BUT WE'LL DO WHAT WE CAN. GEORGE
W. BUSH HAS SHOWN WHAT TOO OFTEN DOMESTICALLY HIS DAD DID NOT,
AND THAT IS WHAT HIS FATHER CALLED TONGUE-IN-CHEEK "THAT VISION
THING."
>>
Gary Walker: THE VISION THING.
>>
YES. THE PRESIDENT CAMPAIGNED IN ESSENCE ON A TAX CUT AND HE
UNDERSTANDS IT'S ONE OF THE VERY FEW ISSUES REMAINING WHICH
GALVANIZES AND UNITES THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND ALSO HAS AN APPEAL
TO REAGAN DEMOCRATS. I THINK WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT YOU
TALK ABOUT THE ELECTION AND, OF COURSE, AS WE ALL KNOW, DEMOCRATS
HAVE FINALLY, I WOULD HOPE -- ACCORDING TO THE "USA TODAY"/"MIAMI
HERALD" SURVEY OF LAST WEEK, GEORGE W. BUSH, FOR ABOUT THE 18th
STRAIGHT TIME NOW, HAS TRULY WON FLORIDA, SO ANYONE WHO SUGGESTS
HE'S NOT LEGITIMATE I THINK IS EXTREMELY PARTISAN.
>> Gary Walker: I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING THAT AT LEAST
HALF OF THE PEOPLE --
>> WELL, SOME PEOPLE --
>>
I HAVE SEEN POLLS THAT SHOW 6-IN-10, MORE THAN 6-IN-10 ACCEPT
BUSH AS LEGITIMATE. BUT WHAT'S FASCINATING IS THE 60% GALLUP
POLL APPROVAL RATING. ZOGBY HAS HIM AT 61 AND NBC/"WALL STREET
JOURNAL" AT 62. SO THEY'RE VERY MUCH COMMENSURATE. BUT WHAT'S
FASCINATING, BUSH GOT LESS THAN 49% OF THE VOTE, AND HERE HE
IS AT 60%. SO HE'S DONE SOMETHING RIGHT. HE'S ALSO DONE SOMETHING
RIGHT IN TERMS OF FOCUSING LASER LIGHT ON THE TAX CUTS. BUSH
UNDERSTOOD EVEN DURING THE CAMPAIGN THAT POLLS SHOWED THAT AMERICANS
WERE NOT GUNG-HO ABOUT A TAX CUT, ALTHOUGH I CAN GUARANTEE YOU
THAT I AND YOU AND OUR LISTENERS WILL ACCEPT IT WHEN IT COMES.
BUT WHAT HE HAS DONE IS TAKEN AN ISSUE THAT WAS VERY LOW IN
TERMS OF POLLING DATA REGARDING AMERICA'S COGENCY AND APPROVAL
LAST YEAR, AND THAT IS REDUCTION IN TAXES, AND HE'S GOING TO
GET 90% OF WHAT HE WANTS. HE WANTED $1.6 TRILLION. THE HOUSE
HAS APPROVED EVERY PENNY. THE SENATE HAS APPROVED $1.275 TRILLION.
WE'RE GOING TO PROBABLY COME IN AT 1.4, 1.45. THAT'S 90% OF
WHAT HE DID. HE HAS TRANSFORMED THE POLITICAL AGENDA. HE'S ALSO
PUT DEMOCRATS, THOSE DEMOCRATS PARTICULARLY FROM CONSERVATIVE
LEADING STATES THAT VOTED FOR BUSH BUT VOTED AGAINST A TAX CUT,
YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR NEXT YEAR, "WHY DID YOU FOLLOW TOM DASCHLE
INSTEAD OF THE WISHES OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS?"
>>
Gary Walker: AND YOU CAN ALSO SAY THAT ABOUT REPUBLICAN SENATORS
AS WELL WHO ACTUALLY --
>>
SOME TURNED ON THEIR OWN PRESIDENT AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO
BE OF VALUE --
>>
Gary Walker: BUT THAT IS AN INTERESTING WAY TO PUT IT, THOUGH,
CURT, AND I WANT TO KNOW, THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS RIGHT
OFF THE BAT, I MEAN YOU'RE COMING WITH A 50/50 SENATE AND PARTY
-- YOU KNOW, KEEPING THE PARTY DISCIPLINED. THERE'S TWO WAYS
TO LOOK AT IT. ON THE ONE HAND, IS IT A POLITICAL EMBARRASSMENT
THAT THE REPUBLICANS SO SOON ABANDONED THE PRESIDENT ON HIS
FIRST MAJOR LEGITIMATE LEGISLATIVE EFFORT? ON THE OTHER HAND,
AS JOE CITIZEN, AS A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY, WOULDN'T YOU WANT
TO HAVE THE U.S. SENATE STAND ON ITS OWN AND NOT JUST BE RUBBER-STAMPING
THE ADMINISTRATION?
>>
WE'VE DEVELOPED POWER BROKERS. I MEAN THESE PEOPLE IN THE CENTER,
JOHN BREAUX ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE, THEY HAVE CREATED A POWER
BROKER IN THE SENATE AND THE SENATE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE, FOR
THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE PLACE TO WATCH. THIS IS GOING TO BE
-- I THINK IT'S A PROBLEM. IT'S NOT SLAM-DUNK, BY THE WAY, THAT
IT'S 90%, THAT TAX CUT. I THINK YOU'RE MAKING A PREDICTION HERE,
WHICH IS GREAT; WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THAT ON A SHOW --
>>
EVEN IF HE DIDN'T GET ANOTHER PENNY OF THE 80% --
>>
BUT IT'S NOT SAID AND DONE BY A LONG SHOT, AND I THINK ALSO
THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO TURN THIS BY SAYING, "HEY, LET'S
DO IT UP FRONT. LET'S GET IT TO THEM RIGHT AWAY."
>>
AND THAT'S WHERE RESPONSIBILITY COMES --
>>
WELL, WHAT THEY WANT AND OF COURSE IT'S TYPICAL OF THE PARTY
LAST YEAR. FIRST THE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T WANT ANY TAX CUTS; THEN
THEY WANTED TARGETED TAX CUTS; THEN THEY WANTED A TAX CUT BUT
ONLY WE GET TO CHOOSE WHO WINS; THEN THEY WANTED $500 BILLION;
THEN THEY WANTED $700 BILLION. BUSH DRAGGED THEM ALONG LIKE
PUPPY DOGS ON A LEASH. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LINCOLN
CHAFEE AND JIM JEFFORDS AND ARLEN SPECTER, I WOULD TRADE THEM
IN A SECOND IF I COULD GET SOME REAL REPUBLICAN SENATORS FROM
STATES LIKE NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA AND GEORGIA, ALL OF WHOM
-- IN FACT, MAX CLELAND, FOR EXAMPLE, IN GEORGIA, HE'S THE ONLY
ONE TO STICK WITH BUSH. ALL THESE PEOPLE CHOSE TOM DASCHLE OVER
THEIR OWN CONSTITUENTS. AND THAT'S A MESSAGE I GUARANTEE YOU
THAT'S GOING TO RESOUND. YOU CAN TAKE CHAFEE AND YOU CAN TAKE
JEFFORDS AND LET THEM BECOME DEMOCRATS. MY POINT IS WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT THE NORTHEAST, BY FAR THE MOST ANTI-MIDDLE CLASS, ANTI-POPULIST,
ANTI-RELIGION, PATRICIAN AND LEFT-LEANING SECTION OF THE COUNTRY.
THAT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME. IT'S APPALLING BUT IT DOESN'T SURPRISE
ME.
>>
BUT THE TAX CUT HAS NOT TAKEN OFF BECAUSE THE BUDGET WASN'T
INTRODUCED. THE BUDGET IS HERE NOW. NOW THE HARD WORK BEGINS
IN CALCULATING HOW MUCH WE CAN SPEND ON IT.
>>
SO THE FIGHT HASN'T BEEN FOUGHT REALLY YET. >> Gary Walker:
YOU WERE MENTIONING, OF COURSE, IN YOUR VERY TEPID OPINION ABOUT
THE U.S. SENATORS -- (Laughter)
>>
THE REPUBLICANS' FIRST BASIC FAULT, THEY COULD NOT EVEN BRING
THEMSELVES TO SUPPORT A VERY RESPONSIBLE TAX CUT PROPOSAL. JIM
JEFFORDS, FOR EXAMPLE -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REPUBLICAN SENATORS
NOW. WE'VE GOT A RATE OF INFLATION OF 4%. THESE PEOPLE CANNOT
EVEN BE SATISFIED WITH A RATE OF -- (Talking simultaneously)
-- THEY WANT TO RAISE SPENDING 8 TO 10 TO 12%.
>>
BRING DOWN THE DEBT.
>>
THESE PEOPLE ARE HOPELESS -- WHEN IT COMES TO SPENDING.
>>
Gary Walker: BUT MY QUESTION IS, THOUGH, AS A CITIZEN, DON'T
YOU TAKE SOME HEART IN THE FACT THAT THE U.S. SENATE DOES HAVE
A MIND OF ITS OWN, CAN GOVERN, CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH DEMOCRATS
AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE AND NOT NECESSARILY A RUBBER STAMP OF
WHOEVER IS IN POWER? ISN'T THAT A GOOD THING?
>>
I THINK THAT -- IN FACT EDMUND BURKE ONCE SAID IT BEST WHEN
HE SAID, IN ESSENCE, AND I PARAPHRASE, IT BETRAYS HIS CONSTITUENTS
IF HE LISTENS ONLY TO THEIR OPINION. HE OWES THEM HIS INDUSTRY
BUT ALSO HIS CONSCIENCE AS WELL. AND IT'S FINE, I SUPPOSE, IF
YOU COME FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF VERMONT AND VOTE AS JEFFORDS
DID AND IN FACT VOTE FOR A SPENDING INCREASE AND DON'T WISH
TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE; THAT'S FINE. HE MAY BE IN
GREAT SHAPE NEXT TIME HE RUNS. BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHO'S NOT IS
MAX CLELAND, AND IT'S THE TWO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN -- DEMOCRATIC
SENATORS RIGHT NOW FROM SOUTH DAKOTA AND IT'S BEN NELSON FROM
NEBRASKA. BEN NELSON IS FROM A STATE BUSH WON BY 29%. HE'S GOING
TO PAY A PRICE.
>>
HOW COULD THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION NOT HAVE SEEN WHAT'S COMING?
HOW COME THEY WEREN'T WORKING --
>>
THEY ARE GOING TO GET TO 85 AND 90% -- THEY WILL GET 90%. THAT'S
AN ENORMOUS VICTORY.
>>
THE FIRST TEST WAS TO BRING THOSE 50 TOGETHER SO THAT THEY COULD
TIEBREAK THE VOTE, AND THEY DID NOT PASS THAT.
>>
WELL, WAIT A MINUTE. YOU'RE SAYING -- LET'S SAY BUSH GETS, EVEN
BY YOUR ESTIMATE, 85% OF WHAT HE WANTED, 90%. YOU'RE SAYING
THAT THE 10% HE DIDN'T GET IS A VICTORY TO DEMOCRATS RATHER
THAN THE 90% HE DOES GET IS A VICTORY TO BUSH?
>>
I'M SAYING --
>>
Gary Walker: WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE A VICTORY FOR DEMOCRATS
OR A VICTORY FOR REPUBLICANS? WHAT IF -- JUST LET ME TAKE A
WILD SHOT HERE. WHAT IF IT'S A BETTER PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE IF
THEY DO WORK TOGETHER AND NEGOTIATE THIS THING? (Talking simultaneously)
WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE -- (Talking simultaneously)
>>
-- RONALD REAGAN SECURED FROM THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
IN 1981. THIS IS A VERY MINUTE TAX PLAN. INCIDENTALLY, WE WERE
TALKING EARLIER ABOUT THE $300. THAT'S A QUICK GIMMICK; THAT'S
SOMETHING THAT THE DEMOCRATS CAN GIVE TO THEIR BASE SO THEY
CAN SPEND IT. THERE'S NOTHING IN THAT THAT WOULD EVEN SPUR THE
KIND OF INVESTMENT THAT'S THE REAL KEY TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, NOTHING.
>>
YOU'RE RIGHT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STRATEGY, I SUPPOSE, AND I
THINK THE PERSON, THE VOTER, SHOULD LOOK AT THIS PERHAPS AND
SAY, "WELL, WE'VE GOT SOME FREE THINKERS." PERHAPS THEY SHOULD
LOOK AT IT THAT WAY. MY QUESTION IS, THOUGH, THAT GEORGE W.
BUSH -- THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT HE KNEW WHERE HE WAS GOING TO
BE WEAK IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. WHY WASN'T HE SHORING THAT
UP FAR EARLIER --
>>
WELL, WHAT SHOULD HE HAVE DONE? I MEAN HE NEGOTIATED WITH JEFFORDS.
JEFFORDS WANTED -- BUSH FINALLY SAID, "THIS IS NOT WORTH IT.
I WOULD RATHER LOSE THIS THAN BANKROLL THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
BY AGREEING TO WHAT JEFFORDS WANTED, AND THAT IS SOME DISABLED
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE COST $200 BILLION A YEAR." THAT'S
INCALCULABLE. THAT'S THE KIND OF BLACKMAIL THAT NO PRESIDENT
CAN --
>>
Gary Walker: I SUPPOSE FROM A STRATEGY POINT OF VIEW, THOUGH,
YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR VOTES ARE SO YOU DON'T EMBARRASS
MEMBERS OF YOUR OWN PARTY IF YOU HAVE A LEGITIMATE DISCUSSION.
>>
I DON'T THINK, YOU KNOW -- BASICALLY THIS IS THE WAY BUSH GOVERNED
AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, AND THAT IS YOU BEGIN BY SAYING, "THIS
IS WHAT I EXPECT; THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO GET," MAYBE KNOWING
IN YOUR OWN MIND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT; IT'S THE FAR, IN
EFFECT, REMOTE EXTREMITY OF WHAT YOU CAN GET, AND THEN YOU NEGOTIATE
FROM THERE.
>>
Gary Walker: CURT, A POLICY QUESTION FOR YOU ABOUT -- I MEAN
THERE'S CONSERVATIVE AND THEN THERE'S CONSERVATIVE -- ABOUT
WHAT TO DO WITH THESE PROJECTED SURPLUSES, UNREALIZED AS THEY
ARE, BUT THERE'S A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE SAYING, YOU KNOW, WE
SPEND 13% OF A $1.9 TRILLION BUDGET ON INTEREST PAYMENTS, ON
DEBT. WHY NOT, INSTEAD OF GIVING $1.7 TRILLION IN TAX -- WHY
DON'T WE PAY DOWN THE DEBT? YOU DO THAT AT HOME.
>>
HOW DO YOU DO THAT IF YOU OWE MONEY TO A BANK? YOU CUT SPENDING.
ANY AMERICAN FAMILY KNOWS THAT. THIS CONGRESS REFUSES. GEORGE
W. BUSH HAS BEEN EXQUISITELY, I THINK, RESPONSIBLE IN SAYING,
"OKAY. WE HAVE A RATE OF LESS THAN 4% OF INFLATION. FINE. WE'RE
GOING TO CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO 4%." THESE PEOPLE IN BOTH
PARTIES, AND I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE NOT
THE BACKBONE TO MAKE THIS ARGUMENT TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS.
>>
Gary Walker: AND THEY WON'T EITHER.
>>
NO REASON, AND I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THEY WON'T.
>>
WELL, THEY HAVE DOUBLED IT ALREADY. THEY HAVE DOUBLED TO 8%.
>>
THEY WANT 8, 10, 12% ANNUAL INCREASE. WE SPENT 9% INCREASE IN
THE RATE OF SPENDING LAST YEAR, AND WE DIDN'T SPEND IT WHERE
WE NEEDED IT, AND THAT IS TO MAKE OUR MILITARY ONCE AGAIN RESPECTED
AROUND THE WORLD; WE SPENT IT IN ESSENCE WITH SPECIAL INTEREST
GROUPS, TRYING TO BUY THEM OFF, AND BOTH PARTIES ARE GUILTY
OF THAT.
>>
Gary Walker: LET ME JUST EXPLAIN ONE THING HERE BECAUSE BUDGET
STUFF CAN BE VERY, VERY CONFUSING, BUT ACTUALLY THE ONLY UNRESTRICTED
PART OF THE BUDGET -- THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 16.2% OF THIS BUDGET,
NONMILITARY, IS REALLY DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. EVERYTHING ELSE
IS FIXED; YOU PRETTY MUCH HAVE TO JUST PAY IT OUT. SO OUT OF
THAT 16.2%, THE PRESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO LIMIT IT TO 4% GROWTH
A YEAR OVER THE LONG HAUL OF THIS TAX CUT. THE SENATE HAS ALREADY
SAID "NO, WE'RE GOING TO DOUBLE THAT TO ABOUT 8%." SO DISCRETIONARY
SPENDING, WITHIN THAT WEDGE OF THAT PIE, THEY WANT TO GO UP
TO 8. THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO KEEP IT AT 4. AND OBVIOUSLY, I
THINK CORRECTLY, IF YOU DO THE MATH, YOU CAN'T DO A $1.7 TRILLION
TAX CUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE SPENDING IN THE OUT YEARS.
BUT AGAIN MY QUESTION IS -- I KNOW YOU CUT -- I'M WITH YOU WHEN
YOU SAY YOU'VE GOT TO CUT SPENDING IF YOU WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE,
BUT WHY NOT SAY --
>>
NOT CUT SPENDING, REDUCE THE INCREASE IN SPENDING, WHICH IS
VERY DIFFERENT FROM CUTTING.
>>
Gary Walker: TRUE ENOUGH, TRUE ENOUGH. I MEAN, WE CAN ARGUE
THE SEMANTICS OF THAT, BUT I GUESS WHAT THE POINT IS THAT SOME
CONSERVATIVES, PEOPLE IN THE CATO INSTITUTE EVEN, ARE SAYING
INSTEAD OF A $1.7 TRILLION TAX CUT, DO THE PLAN AND TAKE SOME
OF THAT MONEY, TAKE A LARGE PART OF THAT MONEY, AND PAY DOWN
OUR DEBT. DON'T DO A TAX CUT; PAY THE DEBT.
>>
THAT'S A LOVELY THOUGHT, EXCEPT WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DEBT IS
REDUCED? AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S A BAD THING. IN FACT, I THINK
WE SHOULD. CONGRESS, GIVEN ITS PRESENT TEMPER, WOULD SIMPLY
SAY, "FINE, WE'RE PAYING DOWN THE DEBT. WE'VE GOT ALL THIS SURPLUS,
WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE EXTRA MONEY? WE SPEND IT." THIS PARTY,
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY -- WE USED TO HAVE A REPUBLICAN
PARTY IN ESSENCE THAT, AS GEORGE WALLACE WOULD SAY, THERE WAS
A DIME WORTH A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM. IN THE WAKE OF BILL
CLINTON'S SKUNKING OF THE REPUBLICANS IN THE SHUTDOWN OF THE
GOVERNMENT IN 1995, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE LOST THEIR SPINE WHEN
IT COMES TO US VERSUS THEM, DELINEATING STRONG PHILOSOPHICAL
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES, AND SAD TO SAY, THE WILLINGNESS
TO CUT SPENDING IS ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT NO LONGER REALLY
SEPARATES PARTY "A" FROM PARTY "B."
>>
Gary Walker: WELL, LET'S -- MIKE, I WANT TO BRING YOU IN ON
THIS AS WELL. IF THE BUDGET IS A MANIFESTATION OF YOUR PHILOSOPHY
OF GOVERNING, WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL FROM PRESIDENT
BUSH SAYS ABOUT HIM?
>>
I THINK THIS INITIAL BUDGET IS A SAFE BUDGET FOR THE PRESIDENT.
I DON'T THINK -- I THINK THAT THE PRESIDENT COULD BE THE PERSON
THAT CARRIES THE WATER. YOU SAY THEY HAVE LOST THEIR SPINE.
I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU. HE'S THE MAN WHO SHOULD BUILD UP THE
BACKBONE AGAIN. HE'S IN THE POSITION NOW. HE'S GOT CONGRESS.
THIS SHOULD BE THE TIME FOR HIM. HE HASN'T DONE IT. HE HASN'T
DONE IT YET. WITH THIS BUDGET, I THINK HE'S PLAYED IT SAFE HERE,
AND I THINK ALSO HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOMEBODY WHO COMPROMISES,
GEORGE BUSH. HE DID THAT IN TEXAS. I'M NOT SURE THAT'S WHAT
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEEDS IS SOMEBODY WHO COMPROMISES AT THIS
POINT.
>>
Gary Walker: MY READING OF THE BUDGET -- I AGREE WITH YOU, AND
MY READING OF THE BUDGET WAS THAT IT WAS A REALLY UNREMARKABLE
KIND OF BUDGET. I MEAN, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WILL BE FACING
SOME CUTS OR DECREASES IN THE RATE OF GROWTH. BUT I WAS -- TO
ME IT WASN'T A BUDGET ABOUT THE FIRST YEAR; IT WAS A BUDGET
ABOUT THE LONG HAUL, AND IF YOU DON'T ADOPT THE PROGRAM IN YEAR
ONE, YOU ARE IN DIRE STRAITS IN YEARS FIVE AND SIX AND SEVEN
IF YOU DO PARTS OF IT AND NOT ALL.
>>
OR YEAR NINE AND TEN, BUT OF COURSE NO PRESIDENT CARES ABOUT
YEARS NINE AND TEN BECAUSE THEY'RE NO LONGER IN OFFICE. YOU'RE
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND MIKE I THINK IS DEAD RIGHT IN TERMS OF
IF THIS BUDGET ERRED, IT WAS ON THE SIDE OF TIMIDITY. MY CONCERN
ESPECIALLY IS THE CLARION VOICE OF POPULACE CONSERVATIVES, AND
THAT IS THE EDITORIAL PAGE OF "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," SAID,
"Mr. PRESIDENT BE BOLD. DON'T ASK FOR 1.6 BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU
GET IT, PERHAPS IT'S NOT ENOUGH." A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WERE
SAYING, PARTICULARLY IN THE EARLY STAGES WHEN IT WAS REALLY
A BIDDING WAR, WERE SAYING TO GO FOR A BUDGET OF A 2.1, $2.2
TRILLION TAX CUT. EVEN IF YOU DON'T GET ALL YOU WANT, YOU WOULD
STILL END UP WITH MORE THAN 1.6. SO I TEND TO AGREE. I DON'T
THINK IT DOES A GREAT DEAL OF HARM. I'M NOT SURE IT'S GOING
TO DO A GREAT DEAL TO GALVANIZE, HOWEVER, THE ECONOMY. I DON'T
THINK IT WILL. NOT NOW AT LEAST.
>>
Gary Walker: AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION. THE
PRESIDENT I THINK IN THIS FIRST 100 DAYS, OR 83 DAYS -- LET'S
JUST SAY 100 FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT, BUT I WAS STRUCK AGAIN
-- I HAVE WATCHED A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIONS TAKE AUTHORITY, AND
I HAVE SEEN SOME REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATIONS FOLLOW DEMOCRATIC
ADMINISTRATIONS AT STATE AND LOCAL AND FEDERAL LEVELS. I'VE
NOTICED THE ONE THING THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS IS THERE'S IMMEDIATE
FOCUS OR A CRISIS OR SOMETHING WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT. THIS ONE
WAS TWOFOLD: CALIFORNIA ENERGY AND THE ECONOMY. NOW, I HAVE
TALKED TO A LOT OF ECONOMISTS WHO THINK THERE'S A STRATEGY HERE
ON THE PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE WHICH PERHAPS COULD BACKFIRE.
IF YOU BADMOUTH THE ECONOMY, IF YOU JUST KEEP BEATING IT DOWN,
KEEP TALKING IT DOWN AND PREDICTING DIRE THINGS, YOU KNOW, IT
WILL BE A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHESY, THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS
NOT THE GROWTH ECONOMY THAT WE HAD FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS
OR SO AND WHATEVER NATURAL PHENOMENA THAT APPEARS TO HAVE HAPPENED,
IT'S CERTAINLY NOT A BAD ECONOMY. BUT IF YOU KEEP REFERRING
TO IT AS THAT, AREN'T YOU JUST GOING TO FULFILL -- IT'S GOING
TO FULFILL ITS OWN PROPHESY.
>>
IT WAS A DIFFICULT MANEUVER FOR GEORGE BUSH. I THINK WHAT HE
WAS TRYING TO DO WAS PUT A LITTLE BIT OF BLAME FOR THIS ECONOMY
ON THE PRIOR -- "I'M INHERITING SOMETHING HERE." AND I THINK
THAT IT IS GOING TO BACKFIRE ON HIM A LITTLE BIT. IT HAS TO.
YOU'RE RIGHT; IT IS A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHESY. I THINK IT'S
A PROBLEM FOR HIM AND I THINK HE IS NOW TURNING THE CORNER ON
THIS. HE'S CHANGING HIS TUNE. HE'S NOT QUITE BAD-MOUTHING THE
ECONOMY AS HE WAS JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO. I THINK HE'S CHANGED
HIS TUNE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY WHISPERING IN HIS EAR,
"EASE OFF, EASE OFF."
>>
Gary Walker: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
>>
I THINK IT WAS DELIBERATE; I THINK IT WAS STRATEGIC. I THINK
IT WAS BUSH SAYING, "HOW CAN WE BEST IN EFFECT ACCENTUATE THE
URGENT NEED FOR A TAX CUT? WELL, IT'S TO SAY WE NEED THAT. NOW,
WHY DO WE NEED IT? BECAUSE THE ECONOMY HAS GONE SOUTH AND WHO
HELPED IT GO SOUTH? THE PERSON WHO JUST PARDONED MARC RICH,
REMEMBER HIM? HE'S GONE. HE ALSO HELPED THE ECONOMY TANK." AND
IT IS TRUE THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE STOCK MARKET, THE NADIR OF
THE STOCK MARKET WAS ACTUALLY LAST SPRING, BUT THAT ROSE AND
HAS SOMEWHAT CRATERED AGAIN. AND A LOT OF THE ECONOMY INDICES
AS WELL HAD TROUGHED LAST YEAR, SO YOU COULD MAKE A CASE THAT
GEORGE W. BUSH WAS CORRECT. HE IN EFFECT, I THINK, SAID, "OKAY.
I AM WILLING TO ENDANGER THE ECONOMY PERHAPS LONG TERM IF I
CAN GET MY TAX CUT SHORT TERM." AND I DO THINK YOU'RE RIGHT;
I THINK THAT THERE WAS SOME BACKLASH TO THIS. IN EFFECT, I THINK
THAT'S WHY HE WAS BACKPEDALING A BIT. BUT I FIND THE ULTIMATE
IRONY IS THAT DEMOCRATS ARE NOW SAYING THIS PRESIDENT, WHO LAST
YEAR THEY WERE SAYING HE COULD BASICALLY STRING TWO SENTENCES
TOGETHER, THEY ARE NOW SAYING THIS PRESIDENT IS SO PERSUASIVE
IN TERMS OF TALKING THE ECONOMY DOWN THAT IT WAS A SELF-FULFILLING
PROPHESY. THAT'S QUITE A TESTAMENT TO HIS RHETORICAL POWER.
I'M NOT SURE IT'S DESERVED.
>>
Gary Walker: OKAY. AGAIN, TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF
THE BUSH PRESIDENCY, YOU KNOW, I HAVE HEARD SOME CRITICISMS
OF HIS BUDGET, BARNEY FRANK IN PARTICULAR. YOU CAN SAY WHAT
YOU WANT ABOUT BARNEY, BUT HE HAS A WAY WITH WORDS SOMETIMES.
HE SAID THIS BUDGET IS COMPASSIONATE BECAUSE IT NAMES PROGRAMS
THAT HELP THE NEEDY, AND IT'S CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T
FUND THOSE PROGRAMS. (Laughing)
>>
WELL, COMING FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF MASSACHUSETTS, I
CAN SEE WHY HE WOULD SAY THAT. NO, BARNEY FRANK IS A VERY FACILE
LINGUIST. OF COURSE, HE WOULD BE FAR MORE AT HOME IN HAVANA
THAN HERE. I'M NOT NECESSARILY UPSET BY THAT, BUT NO, YOU COULD
FUND THESE PROGRAMS, AND IF YOU GIVE A 6% INCREASE THAT WOULD
NOT BE ENOUGH; BARNEY FRANK WOULD WANT 12. AND IF YOU GIVE HIM
12, HE'D WANT 25. WHAT'S MORE INTERESTING TO ME IS THE DEMOCRATIC
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, WHERE ARE THEY? HOW DO THEY REACT TO THIS
PRESIDENT? WHAT ABOUT DEMOCRATS FROM CONSERVATIVE-LEANING STATES?
HOW DO THEY REACT? BECAUSE THOSE ARE REALLY THE SWING VOTERS;
THOSE ARE THE VOTERS UP FOR GRABS; THOSE ARE THE VOTERS THAT
BOTH PARTIES ARE FOCUSING ON BECAUSE ALREADY IN THIS PERPETUAL
CAMPAIGN, WE'VE BARELY ENDED THE 2000, AND WE'RE ALREADY ON
THE HEELS OF 2002.
>>
WELL, THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO -- YOU KNOW, I WOULD NOT AGREE
ON THE ASSESSMENT ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS. I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN
TALKING TARGETED TAX CUTS ALL ALONG, ALL LAST YEAR AS WELL.
THE D.L.C. IS A BIG INFLUENCE, ALTHOUGH WE'RE SEEING THE RIFT
NOW I THINK IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BETWEEN THE LIBERALS AND
THE MODERATES, THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT
THAT, ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE OF THE AISLE. WE'RE ALSO SEEING
A PROBLEM ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE. WHEN WE TALK
ABOUT CHINA, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.
>>
Gary Walker: WE WILL IN A SECOND, BUT I WANT TO JUST GO OVER
A SET OF SPECIAL INTERESTS THAT ARE VERY UPSET AT THE PRESIDENT
RIGHT NOW. AND I WANT YOU TO JUST LISTEN TO THE SCOPE OF THE
DIFFERENT FOLKS HERE. WE'RE NOT TALKING ALL LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
ARE UPSET. WE BEGIN WITH THE AMERICAN SHIPBUILDERS' ASSOCIATION
WHO WANT $100 MILLION IN LOAN GUARANTEES FOR PEOPLE WHO BUY
SHIPS FROM AMERICAN SHIPYARDS. BUSH WANTS TO END THAT; THEY'RE
VERY UPSET BY THAT. THEY HAVE TRENT LOTT AND JOHN BREAUX ON
THEIR SIDE. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS,
FOR THE CUT IN DOCTOR TRAINING FOR CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS. THAT
WAS A CLINTON PROGRAM, AND YOU'VE GOT KENNEDY, FEINSTEIN AND
DODD FIGHTING THAT. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT,
A $700 MILLION CUT FOR PUBLIC HOUSING REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION.
WELL, YOU CAN IMAGINE UNIONS AND CONTRACTORS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH
THAT. THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCES AND A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES
FIGHTING A 24% PROPOSED CUT TO THE IMPORT/EXPORT BANK, WHICH
HELPS U.S. FINANCE EXPORTS. THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION,
AND AGAIN THIS IS SENATOR CHRIS BOND OF MISSOURI, VERY MUCH
OPPOSED, THAT SUBSIDIES OF THE LOANS GIVEN BY THE SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION TO SPUR SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH... WHAT A WIDE
VARIETY OF PEOPLE UPSET WITH THIS BUDGET. IN A SENSE, THE MAN
IS GOVERNING FROM THE CENTRE HERE, BECAUSE HE'S ENDING WHAT
THE DEMOCRATS WOULD CALL CORPORATE WELFARE AND ENDING WHAT THE
REPUBLICANS WOULD CALL LIBERAL SPENDING.
>>
SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICANS THAT ARE UPSET
WITH THIS ARE THE AMO HOUGHTONS. IF AMO HOUGHTON COULDN'T WIN
-- (All talking simultaneously) -- MAYBE TRENT LOTT. MAYBE WITH
LUCK, WE CAN RESIST AMO HOUGHTON OUT OF A JOB, WHICH SHOULD
HAVE HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO.
>>
AND TRENT LOTT -- (All talking simultaneously)
>>
TRENT LOTT HAS BEEN A CATASTROPHE AS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.
>> WE HAVE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT ON THIS BUDGET. THIS BUDGET
IS FAR FROM DONE. WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT HE'S MADE OF BECAUSE
HE'S GOING TO BE BATTERED FROM ALL SIDES.
>>
Gary Walker: BOTH SIDES. LISTEN, WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES
LEFT AND I WANT TO TOUCH ON SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS VERY,
VERY IMPORTANT, AND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CHINA. NOW,
WE'RE RECORDING THIS ON A TUESDAY FOR AIR ON THURSDAY, BUT AS
OF RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A STANDOFF GOING FOR TWO WEEKS, AND I JUST
HAVE TO ASK, AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER -- I'M THINKING BACK TO
THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION. AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER WHEN A NEWS
AGENCY GOES ON THE AIR OR GOES IN PRINT AND CALLS THIS A HOSTAGE
CRISIS, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION? IS THIS A HOSTAGE
CRISIS?
>>
NOT NOW.
>>
WHY NOT?
>>
WHO CAN SAY A DECADE OR RATHER A WEEK OR TWO FROM NOW --
>>
THAT'S A GOOD POINT, AND THE QUESTION YOU RAISE IS QUITE GOOD.
I THINK FRANKLY THAT BUSH HAS PERFORMED SURPRISINGLY AND ADEPTLY
WELL. YOU WANT TO AVOID BELLICOSITY AND BELLIGERENCE. THE STATEMENTS
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFULLY MEASURED. ON THE
SAME POINT, HOWEVER, DICK CHENEY AND COLIN POWELL AND CONDOLEEZZA
RICE, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE MADE IT CLEAR,
AS HAS THE PRESIDENT, THAT "LOOK, WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE
THIS FOREVER," AND MORE TO THE POINT, "YOU, EVERY DAY THAT GOES
BY" -- MEANING THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA -- "YOU'RE GOING
TO LOSE. YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE ALL THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
YOU HAVE BEGUN OVER THE DECADE WITH COMPANIES LIKE EASTMAN KODAK."
EASTMAN KODAK COULD TAKE A HIT LIKE THIS. WHAT THE PRESIDENT
HAS NOT DONE, HOWEVER -- (Indecipherable comments) WHAT HE HAS
NOT DONE IS WHAT BILL CLINTON DID AD NAUSEAM AROUND THE WORLD,
AND THAT IS APOLOGIZE. NO PRESIDENT OF ANY DECENCY APOLOGIZES
IF YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. WE HAVE NOT IN THIS CASE. I
THINK BUSH HAS PERFORMED SURPRISINGLY WELL.
>>
BUT BUSH IS ON A TIGHTROPE. THE CONSERVATIVES ARE STARTING TO
BATTER CONDOLEEZZA RICE; THEY'RE STARTING TO BATTER COLIN POWELL
ON THE STAND AND NOT BEING TOUGH ENOUGH. HE'S WALKING A TIGHTROPE.
IT'S NOT A HOSTAGE SITUATION...
>>
I DON'T KNOW. IT'S A VERY -- AT WHAT POINT DOES IT CEASE BEING
SORT OF AN IMPROVISATIONAL INTERLUDE AND BECOME A FULL-FLEDGED...
>> NOW, THE DIFFERENCE, AGAIN, IS REMEMBER JIMMY CARTER MADE
IT THE CENTERPIECE OF HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN --
>>
Gary Walker: WE SHOULD PROBABLY NOT USE THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION
AS A BELLWETHER FOR WHAT YOU SHOULD DO, YOU KNOW...
>>
BUT HE HAS GONE ABOUT HIS BUSINESS, SIMPLY ONE ASPECT OF THE
JOB.
>>
Gary Walker: BUT IT SEEMS TO ME IT'S LIKE IF YOU ASK HOW MANY
HAIRS CONSTITUTE A MOUSTACHE? HOW MANY DAYS CONSTITUTE A HOSTAGE
CRISIS? I THINK THAT SOONER OR LATER SOME ORGANIZATION WILL
DECIDE, WHETHER IT'S "THE NEW YORK TIMES" OR CNN OR CBS, THEY'RE
GOING TO SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT? AMERICANS ARE BEING HELD AGAINST
THEIR WILL. A COUNTRY WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO COME HOME. WHAT
IS THIS?"
>>
WELL, THE BUSH WEST WING IS SAYING THEY'LL COME BACK, THAT CHINA
WILL IN ESSENCE SEE THAT, "LOOK, ECONOMICALLY, WE HAVE FAR MORE
TO LOSE LETTING THIS PROLONG ITSELF THAN BY SETTLING NOW."
>> Gary Walker: LAST WORD, MICHAEL?
>>
I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY WE TALKED ABOUT EASTMAN KODAK, AND I
WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW THE LOBBYING GROUPS ARE WORKING OVER THE
BUSH ADMINISTRATION RIGHT NOW. (Laughing)
>>
Gary Walker: THERE'S A LOT AT STAKE WITH THIS FOR BUSINESS AND
FOR THE FUTURE, AND YOU ALMOST HAVE TO THINK WHAT WOULD CHINA
GAIN FROM THIS? I DON'T KNOW. ANYWAY, UNFORTUNATELY, GENTLEMEN,
THAT IS THE PROGRAM. IT WENT QUICK. I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
COMING. AND THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US ON "NEED TO KNOW."
JOIN US AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS.