Washington Week Show - #4526
Washington Week Show - #4526
Washington Week Show - #4526 - The Week That Was. Host Gwen Ifill, guests include Martha Raddatz, Alexis Simendinger, Andrea Seabrook, Michael Duffy.
Washington Week Show - #4526
Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: Various clips of President Bush, says "Do I have the legal authority to do this? And the answer is yes." Senator says "He is the President, not a King." Vice President Dick Cheney walking with soldiers in Iraq. Vice President Dick Cheney speaking at podium says "The only way to lose this fight is to quit, and that is not an option." Capitol Dome at night. President Bush says "This obstruction is inexcusable. Senator Patrick Leahy says "Our goal is to mend it, or extend it, not end it." Vice President Dick Cheney speaking to Senate "The yeas are 50, the nays are 50, the Senate being equally divided the Vice President votes in the affirmative. Senator speaking about Alaskan oil drilling says "This has been the saddest day of my life." Several quick shots including pedestrians walking along crowded street, CU computer cables (wires), radar turning, CU $20 dollar bills being printed, American soldiers walking down road in Iraq, two African American kids standing on roof of building hold sign 'Help Us' after Hurricane Katrina, CU gas prices on BP (British Petroleum) Oil sign, Iraqi woman placing ballot in box (voting).
Washington Week Show - #4526
DO NOT USE - commercial
Washington Week Show - #4526
Gwen Infill begins the show starting off with President Bush s authorization, bypassing courts, for domestic spying. President George W. Bush (garland with Christmas ornaments behind him) says "I've reauthorized this program more than thirty times since the September the 11th attacks and I intend to do so, for so long as the nation faces the continuing threat of an enemy that wants to kill American citizens." Senator Patrick Leahy says "We've seen when the President says and his Attorney General echoes that somehow he is above the law because he is President, because we were attacked by terrorists that somehow he can be above the law, it doesn't work that way." The panel weighs in on the legality of this move by the President, how and why the White House believes they are in the right by using Executive Powers, and the timing of this announcement.
Washington Week Show - #4526
The conversation moves seamlessly to discussion of the re-authorization of the Patriot Act. Senator Bill Frist says "But the Democrats obstructed that, flat out obstructed that, they killed it and they celebrated. So I made a decision not to, a few hours ago to extend since they did kill it, and they should be ashamed of that, made the decision to extend it for six months." (D) Wisconsin says "Not a single one of us ever wanted the act to expire, it was only the President and the White House and Attorney General Gonzales who wanted to play that game of chicken, and they lost the game of chicken." Short clip of House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner at podium. The panel discusses how the Patriot Act may change, how long will it be extended, and how this issues affects politicians on the campaign trails.
Washington Week Show - #4526
Moving off national security issues, the panel discusses domestic budgetary spending and the wish list of the President.
Washington Week Show - #4526
Discussion regarding Iraq and possible troop withdrawal.
Washington Week Show - #4526
A look back at the year of events. Panelists choose what they believe are the most significant events and discussion its implications politically and nationally. Split screen of Michael Duffy and aerial view of flooded homes after Hurricane Katrina, rescue of elderly Caucasian man and African American woman - both hoisted up together to helicopter.
Washington Week Show - #4526
Gwen Ifill signs off. Credits.