Washington Week Show - # 4242
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "Open"
Gwen Ifill opens show. Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: U.S. President George W. Bush stating, "The regime of Saddam Hussein is no more." Jeep with American soldiers rides past camera. Soldier helping up blindfolded man. Three US soldiers aiming rifles at camera. African American soldier guarding street. Colin Powell. Syrian official. Weapons inspectors. President George W. Bush waving to crowd at rally. $20 dollar bills being printed. Members on congressional floor.
Washington Week Show - # 4242 - "U.S. Victory in Iraq"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on uneasy United States victory in Iraq. Tom Gjelten of National Public Radio begins discussion on the war in Iraq, now that United States has removed Saddam Hussein from power. Discussion of looters in Iraq and their possible ties to the Ba’ath party, and issue of turning to organized crime. Discussion of pockets of resistance in Iraq and foreign fighters coming into Iraq. Vulnerability of U.S. troops in Iraq. Brief mention of the search weapons of mass destruction and regime leaders in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "Diplomatic Relations in Middle East"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on United States diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "U.S. and Syria"
Martha Raddatz of ABC News begins discussion of the United States' relationship with Syria, terrorism, and chemical weapons. Mention of Colin Powell planning to travel to Syria. Tom Gjelten of National Public Radio briefly discusses how important it might be to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Raddatz discusses whether it is important for the US to continue to pursue Saddam Hussein, now that he is no longer in power. Brief discussion of U.S. credibility after the war in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "U.S. in Iraq"
Tom Gjelten of NPR discusses the images coming out of Iraq, now that Saddam Hussein is out of power. Iraqi people are glad Saddam Hussein is deposed, but they do not want to be ruled by Americans. Discussion of the United States helping to rebuild Iraqi government run by Iraqi citizens, then quickly withdrawing from Iraq. Gjelton says new guerrilla or organized crime groups can attempt to take control of Iraq. Martha Raddatz of ABC News discusses the U.S. training Iraqi police, stating that the U.S. may not be prepared for the current situation in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "Intelligence War in Iraq"
Gwen Ifill introduces topic of an intelligence war in Iraq (mention of using Iraqi Scientists to find weapons of mass destruction). Tom Gjelton of NPR discusses Iraqi willingness to provide intel to the United States now that Saddam Hussein’s regime has collapsed. Martha Raddatz of ABC News mention the possibility of an unfriendly entity seizing power in Iraq. Gjelton discusses the possibility of Afghanistan slipping out of control while the US is focused on Iraq. Mention of how much more strategically important Iraq is compared to Afghanistan. Ifill raises the question as to when there may be a possible end. Raddatz says that there will be no clarity when the war in Iraq will end. Iraq has a long way to go. Gjelton says that we will be talking about Iraq for a long time to come.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "U.S. Domestic Issues"
Gwen Ifill introduces segment on domestic issues. U.S. President George W. Bush walking out to Rose Garden to speak about domestic concerns, shakes woman’s hand. Ifill mentions Bush’s tax cut plan. Jeanne Cummings of the Wall Street Journal discusses the plan, how the United States economy will be more important than Iraq to President Bush’s re-election campaign. Discussion of the similarities between Bush’s presidency and that of his father, George H.W. Bush (both had a war in Iraq and a struggling U.S. economy at home). Discussion of how W. will introduce his economic recovery package much sooner than H.W. did. Mention of Medicare reform, and passing new legislation by using the momentum of victory in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "U.S. Domestic Issues"
Alan Murray of CNBC discusses Congress being unable to pass legislation (Bush tax cut plan and Medicare reform). Mention of Senator Chuck Grassley (Chairman of Senate Finance Committee) saying that President Bush’s tax cut bill was too large. Mention of Bush’s call for a 550 billion dollar tax cut plan. Senator Grassley will not accept a tax cut plan over 350 billion dollars. Jeanne Cummings of The Wall Street Journal discusses how the White House lost touch with what was going on in the House and the Senate while they were focused on the war in Iraq. Discussion of the House approving Bush’s 550 billion dollar tax cut plan, then the Senate halting it. Tom Gjelton of NPR discusses the war in Iraq, mentions how in 1991 troops were pulled out of Iraq as soon as the Gulf War was over. Gjelton brings up the question of whether the Bush administration can put the war behind them, with U.S. troops still in Iraq.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "U.S. Domestic Issues"
Alan Murray of CNBC begins discussion of battle between moderate Republican and conservative Republican Senators on the budget and passing President Bush’s tax plan. Discussion of opponents to the Bush tax cut plan, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio). Jeanne Cummings of The Wall Street Journal discusses the Bush administration's reaction to the political battle. Discussion of the Bush Administrations strategy for turning the votes of conservative Democratic senators in favor of the Bush tax cut plan. Mention of Bush’s meeting with Senators Snowe and Voinovich. Murray mentions the Bush administration may have an easier time turning the votes of conservative Democrats in favor of the Bush tax cut plan rather than trying to turn the votes of moderate Republicans.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "U.S. Domestic Issues"
Jeanne Cummings of The Wall Street Journal begins discussion on the outlook for the rest of the Bush domestic agenda, now that the administration is struggling to pass the tax cut bill, starting with the plan to expand Medicare and prescription drug coverage. Alan Murray of CNBC discusses the possibility of Bush trying to present himself as fighting Congress on behalf of the American people for the upcoming re-election campaign. Discussion of Senator Bill Frist and his part in helping the administration pass the tax cut bill. Cummings discusses how important Senator Frist, who is also a doctor, will be in helping the administration pass Medicare reform. Murray mentions that a tax cut bill for 350 billion dollars may not pass the House.
Washington Week Show - WW 4242 - "Show Close"
Gwen Ifill closes show and credits.